Ready to create the next great invention? KCIC provides access to resources, workshops, and mentors who will help you develop your ideas into real inventions that people can use to solve everyday problems. You also have the chance to win cash prizes and the opportunity to represent your school and Kansas City at the national and global competitions!
For questions, please contact invent@lindahall.org.
Participating in KCIC isn’t just about coming up with a new idea. It’s also about telling the story of how you developed your invention. Below you’ll find the tools and inspiration you’ll need to get started. If you have any questions about KCIC, please email invent@lindahall.org for assistance.
Who can participate in KCIC?
What are the invention rules for KCIC?
To compete in KCIC, you will need to create the following items for your project: an invention logbook, a display board, a prototype, and a pitch. Use the following resources to assist you as you envision your project and move through the stages of the invention process.
Logbook Guide
Pitch Guide
Display Board Guide
Do you need some help getting supplies to create your display board or prototype? We may be able to help! Email invent@lindahall.org to request the supplies you need.
Inventors have the chance to win cash prizes and the opportunity to represent their school and Kansas City at the national and global competitions! At KCIC 2025, students received over $40,000 in cash prizes and awards. Award opportunities include:
Most Patentable, $1,000, presented by KCNSC.
Inventors in our 9th/10th and 11th/12th Grade Tiers are eligible for this award.
Future Shaper, $1,000, presented by KCNSC.
Inventors in our 7th/8th and 9th/10th grades are eligible for this award.
Early Innovator, $500, presented by KCNSC.
Inventors in the 5th/6th grade tier are eligible for this award.
T-Serve Award, $1,000, presented by T-Serve Foundation for Technology Innovation.
Awarded to a project with an outstanding application of technology.
Best in Show, $2,500
Awarded to the highest-scoring invention across all the grade tiers.
Page to Prototype Award, $250, presented by the Linda Hall Library Staff Activities Committee
Award to a team or individual with an outstanding logbook.
Sustainable Innovator Award, $250, presented by the Linda Hall Library Sustainability Committee
Award to a project that contributes meaningfully to sustainability, justice, and equity.
Educator Appreciation, $500
Given by the programming staff of the Linda Hall Library to recognize exceptional support for invention education. Educator appreciation awards are given to educators, not student inventors.
First place, $500
Second place, $300
Third place, $100
First place winners in each grade tier also earn an expenses-paid trip to Dearborn, Michigan to compete at Invention Convention U. S. Nationals in June.
Students must be present and compete at KCIC to receive an award.
We continue to be impressed by the creative and innovative invention submissions we receive every year.
Click here to view all of our past KCIC winners and their inventions!
Each year, Best in Show winners are granted the opportunity to represent Kansas City as they present their inventions at Invention Convention U.S. Nationals!
