TAMPA, Fla. (April 15, 2025) — The University of South Florida (USF) recently served as the dynamic epicenter for the inaugural Invention Convention Florida, a pioneering event driven to spotlight the inventive acumen and problem-solving capabilities of K–12 students from across the state. Hosted on the Tampa campus on April 12, this groundbreaking event convened over 150 student inventors, each presenting innovative solutions targeting a diverse array of real-world challenges. From environmental sustainability to everyday practical inconveniences, these young visionaries harnessed creativity and technical knowledge to design inventions with meaningful, tangible impact.
The Invention Convention Florida forms an integral regional chapter of the globally recognized Invention Convention Worldwide initiative, spearheaded by The Henry Ford Museum. This platform provides a rigorous, competition-based environment where young inventors engage directly with panels comprising industry experts, educators, and entrepreneurial leaders. These judges bring an interdisciplinary perspective, promoting a holistic evaluation framework that assesses inventiveness, feasibility, and societal value. By anchoring the event at USF, organizers underscore the commitment to fostering a steady pipeline of innovators primed to drive Florida’s—and ultimately the nation’s—future technological and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
USF Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, Prasant Mohapatra, eloquently articulated the ethos underpinning the event by emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between curiosity and opportunity. He highlighted how the Invention Convention Florida transcends mere competition; it embodies an educational paradigm where young minds translate imaginative concepts into impactful realities. This aligns seamlessly with USF’s broader academic mandate of nurturing inquiry and innovation, thus reinforcing the university’s role as a catalyst in shaping forward-thinking problem solvers prepared to address emergent global challenges.
Throughout the event, student participants demonstrated exceptional technical expertise across various stages of development. Their inventive projects featured intricate prototype designs, incorporated user-centered functionality, and reflected clear articulation of problem definition and solution mapping. Of particular note was the multidisciplinary integration evidenced by several projects, blending principles of environmental science, computer-assisted design, and biomedical engineering. This diversity signals an encouraging trend towards holistic STEM education where computational thinking intersects meaningfully with domain-specific knowledge.
Hailey Crotteau, a standout second-grade competitor from Pinewood Elementary School in Lee County, garnered the Best in Show award for her invention “Pee Brave.” This device ingeniously counters the anxieties faced by young children in public restrooms who are often startled by automatic toilet flushes. “Pee Brave” disrupts sensor activation while concurrently embedding a hand sanitizer dispenser, an elegant dual-function design that addresses both psychological comfort and hygiene imperatives. The technical sophistication underlying this prototype highlights early-stage biomimetic sensor understanding—a notable achievement for such a young inventor.
The Best Prototype category spotlighted three innovators whose projects pushed the limits of functional design and environmental stewardship. Ashley Cameron’s “Tidy Squeeze” utilized fluid dynamics principles to create a more efficient means of dispensing liquids, optimizing user experience through ergonomic design. Mahi Patel’s “AquaSonic” tackled the escalating plastic pollution crisis by employing ultrasonic technology to break down plastic polymers in aquatic environments, showcasing applied physics at an environmental interface. Meanwhile, Dhruva Sharma’s “Dextera™” represented a leap forward in assistive technology by integrating adaptive robotics to enhance motor function, demonstrating advanced knowledge in mechatronics and neuromotor rehabilitation.
In the domain of communication and effective information dissemination, Darren Lau’s solution “AURING” earned Best Presentation honors. His project leveraged a hybrid augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) system aimed at correcting brain shifts during neurosurgical procedures by utilizing a sophisticated deep learning architecture named D2BS2GAN. This approach combines convolutional neural networks with generative adversarial models, exemplifying cutting-edge applications of AI in medical imaging and surgical planning—a testament to how contemporary K–12 education can prepare students for high-impact, technology-driven healthcare innovations.
The Best Display Board award celebrated a collective effort by a sixth-grade team for their project titled “Deep Sea Mining.” This project delved into the emerging field of marine mineral extraction with an emphasis on sustainable practices. The team synthesized data from oceanography, geology, and environmental science to present solutions that minimize ecological disruption while enabling resource acquisition. Their research demonstrated an appreciation of complex socio-environmental trade-offs, underscoring the importance of cross-disciplinary education in informing responsible innovation in nascent industries.
The scale and collaborative spirit of Invention Convention Florida was palpable, drawing participation from over 300 attendees, including judges, educators, community partners, and students. This vibrant exchange fostered an ecosystem for networking, mentorship, and ideation, undergirded by a shared commitment to cultivating intellectual curiosity and a hands-on learning ethos. It is within these collaborative milieus that future inventors are galvanized to iterate, refine, and elevate their innovations towards real-world applicability and entrepreneurship.
USF Vice President for Research & Innovation, Sylvia Thomas, reflected profoundly on the event’s transformative atmosphere. She captured the essence of the gathering as a “glimpse into the future”—a space where youthful ingenuity meets purposeful design, laying the groundwork for breakthroughs that will shape technological landscapes yet to be conceived. Thomas underscored how such initiatives foster an enduring culture of innovation that transcends academic boundaries, connecting educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and the wider community towards common goals.
The strategic support from key partners including Florida High Tech Corridor, USF Research & Innovation, and the United Inventors Association underpinned the convention’s success by providing critical resources, expertise, and outreach capabilities. Their involvement exemplifies the power of cross-sector collaboration in scaling educational opportunities and accelerating talent development in STEM fields. Moreover, this alliance enhances pathways for young inventors to transition from conceptual stages to market-ready enterprises, fostering an entrepreneurial pipeline aligned with both regional and global innovation economies.
Given USF’s distinguished position as a high-impact research university with a notable annual economic footprint exceeding $6 billion, events such as Invention Convention Florida integrate seamlessly with the institution’s broader innovation strategy. USF’s recognition within the top 50 public universities nationally, alongside unprecedented research funding surpassing $700 million in 2024, attests to the depth of its commitment to research excellence and societal advancement. Importantly, USF’s status as a leading producer of new U.S. patents positions it uniquely to nurture invention education as an intrinsic component of its academic ecosystem.
The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame (FIHF), an integral partner housed within USF Research Park, furthers this innovative mission by celebrating pioneering inventors statewide and engaging in educational outreach. FIHF catalyzes discovery by recognizing achievements that significantly improve quality of life, thereby inspiring emerging generations to pursue scientific and technological ventures. Through storytelling and empowerment initiatives, FIHF embodies a legacy-building endeavor designed to expand innovation’s reach and societal impact.
At the national level, The Henry Ford’s stewardship of Invention Convention Worldwide amplifies the significance of localized events like the one at USF by cultivating a broad, interconnected network dedicated to inventive education. The Henry Ford’s comprehensive approach, which includes immersive museum experiences and televised programming, leverages historical insights to inspire current and future generations. By integrating Florida’s program into this global fabric, the network ensures that young innovators benefit from shared best practices, mentorship opportunities, and access to a dynamic community of inventors.
In sum, the inaugural Invention Convention Florida at the University of South Florida represents more than a competitive platform; it is a flourishing nexus of education, innovation, and community collaboration. By empowering students with the tools, mentorship, and environment to engage deeply with real-world problems, the event propels a transformative educational model that promises to yield breakthroughs with lasting societal benefits. The confluence of multidisciplinary expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and a culture of creativity marks this event as a beacon of inspiration and a catalyst for Florida’s—and the world’s—next wave of visionary inventors.
Subject of Research: Innovation education, K–12 STEM invention competition, applied technology in youth education
Article Title: University of South Florida Launches Inaugural Invention Convention Florida to Ignite Next-Gen Innovation
News Publication Date: April 15, 2025
Web References:
- https://www.usf.edu/news/2025/usf-hosts-hundreds-of-young-inventors-from-across-the-state.aspx
- https://inhub.thehenryford.org/icw/competitions/us-nationals-landing
- http://www.floridainvents.org
- http://www.thehenryford.org
Image Credits: Jay Nolan
Keywords: Education research, High school education, Education technology, Hands-on learning
