Over 15 Years of Inspiring Ohio Students!

• In the Beginning: The project began in 1993 in Sandusky, Ohio as a way to share good news about kids on the front page of a newspaper.

• Founded: The first "Invention Convention" occurred in Columbus in 1996 when Just Think Inc. officially formed as the parent non-profit organization.

• Partnership: Students, families, educators, community leaders, business leaders and media.

• Funding: Corporate Sponsorship & Individual Donations.

• Concept: Students invent original solutions to everyday problems.

• Span: K-8th grade students in participating school districts. Columbus covers all public, private and home schooled students within Franklin, Fairfield, Miami Valley covers all public schools in Clarke, Greene, Montgomery, Logan, Champaign, Shelby, Miami, Darke, and Preble Counties. Cleveland is open to all public schools in Cuyahoga, Medina, Stark, Summit, Portage, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Cincinatti covers all public schools in Warren, Butler, Clinton, Clermont & Hamilton Counties.

• Eligibility: Top Student Inventors from each school district qualify for the Regional Invention Convention. In the future, the top winners from each Regional Invention Convention will be invited to compete at the first State Finals.

• Awards: Over $400,000 in college scholarships awarded since our inception to 200+ student inventors. 500+ young student inventors have received savings bonds. Top regional winners receive a $2,500 college scholarship. The winner of the State Finals will receive a $15,000 college scholarship. We also present a Teacher of Excellence award in each region to an inspirational teacher.

• Recognition: Students are media stars in local news interviews and some winners appear on national television including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The David Letterman Show, Ellen, Nickelodeon, Montel, and The Bonnie Hunt Show.

•The Invention Convention continues expanding across the State of Ohio! Miami Valley held it's first annual event in 2006 at Wright State University, Cleveland held it's first annual event in 2007 at The Great Lakes Science Center, Cincinnati is having it's first annual event in 2011 at Cincinnati State Technical College, and Columbus celebrated it's 15th annual event in May.

We have built wonderful new relationships with new sponsors and media partners. Time Warner Cable has come in as presenting sponsor in all markets bringing their "Coolest Creations" contest as another way to recognize and reward students.

Our Future

• Future: We are looking to open our 5th market in Ohio and to host our first state finals. The project will continue to grow in each market and we will continue to build partnerships with local businesses and organizations in support of students and their inventions.

We are continuing to look for additional partners who offer additional resources to children - helping to build community in each community. If you know of a great resource for kids let us know and we'll see if we can build something together with them.

Major Milestones:

1993
•Program Founded.

1996
•Just Think Inc formed as a non-profit 501(c)3 to run program.
•First Regional Invention Convention held in Columbus.
•Inventors appear on Maury Povich and David Letterman.

1997
•Inventors appear on Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
•Inventors appear on Nickelodeon's "Figure it Out."

1998
•Inventors appear on Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
•Inventors appear on Nickelodeon's "Figure it Out" show.
•Students from Private Schools invited to participate.

1999
•US Patent & Trademark Office comes to Invention Convention.
•Addition of Team Category results in first Team win.
•Students from Home Schools invited to participate.
•Inventors appear on Ellen.

2000
•"Bridge the Gap" partnership formed by cofounders Cherylyn Rushton-Bullock and Tom Carlisi. A fall semester independent study designed to further your invention idea.

2001
•First student alumni awarded a United States Patent.

2002
•First student alumni, Lisa Wright, inducted into the National Gallery for Young Inventors.

2003
•First annual Teacher of Excellence Award presented to Mr. Kyle Miller of Gables Elementary, Columbus Public Schools.

2004
•Web site launched to make Invention Convention more accessible.

2005
•Columbus event grows to seven counties.
•Expansion statewide begins - Miami Valley Invention Convention launches in schools.

2006
•Miaimi Valley holds the first expansion Invention Convention on January 14, 2006 at Wright State University.
•A Miami Valley winner appears on Ellen to demonstrate their invention, and receives a $5,000 scholarship from a sponsor.
•Columbus enters it's second decade of service, celebrating it's 11th Invention Convention.
•Camp Design Central hosts two student inventors for a week, transforming their inventions into products. One of those students appears on Montel during 'sweeps week.'
•Students appear on "Think Big" - 1st international appearance.

2007
•Cleveland holds it's first Invention Convention on January 14, 2006 at The Great Lakes Science Center.
•"Wedgie Boys" appear on Ellen, video goes viral.

2008
•Invention Convention begins partnership with Time Warner Cable.
•Saige Rook appears on Bonnie Hunt Show.

2009
•Time Warner Cable's "Coolest Creations Contest" started in Columbus, expands to all markets in 2010.
•Invention Convention Alumni - Michael Vawter, Michelle Vawter, and Mark Wright inducted into the National Gallery for Young Inventors.
•Michael Vawter (2004 Columbus Grand Prize Winner) selected by Popular Science Magazine as one of the top 10 high school inventors across the country.

2010
•Cleveland Invention Convention returns after a year hiatus.
•Three IC students, one from each market, appear on Ellen.
•Statewide Expansion Continues with the launch of the Cincinnati Region. The 1st Annual Cincinnati Regional Invention Convention is scheduled for April 9, 2011 at Cincinnati State Technical College.

2011
•Website redesigned.

Near Future
•Open 5th market.
•Hold Our 1st State Finals.