CME Group Foundation Supports K-8 STEM Entrepreneurship Through Illinois Student Invention Convention
As technology and product development continues to advance, CME Group Foundation is committed to supporting the next wave of innovators in our communities. Since 2020, CME Group Foundation has granted a total of $85,000 to the Chicago Innovation Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to educating, connecting and celebrating innovators of all types through year-round educational events and programming, including the annual Illinois Student Invention Convention (ISIC).
“We are thrilled to provide a platform for Illinois students to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills. The inventions showcased at this event demonstrate the ingenuity and passion of our state’s young innovators,” said Nicole Rodriguez, Director of the Illinois Student Invention Convention.
ISIC provides educators with a free, flexible 10-week curriculum to guide students in grades K-8 through the invention process and culminates in the state’s largest student-led prototype competition. Students create an original invention to solve their chosen problem, using engineering, design and creativity skills they’ve gained in the program. Invited by program leaders, student finalists submit a logbook, prototype and pitch video, and meet virtually with judges and other students to receive feedback and answer questions. Top scorers then have the opportunity to showcase their inventions at the in-person awards ceremony, which includes hands-on educational workshops for students, teachers and family members.
If they win, select award winners get the opportunity to file a patent for their invention or to develop it into a fully functioning professional prototype. Past winning inventions have included a customized Braille keyboard for mobile devices, a wearable solar-powered device to aid late-night studying (with built-in mosquito netting!) and a specialized cup that uses UV radiation to decontaminate water.
The program also supports educators with the latest invention education curriculum, professional development opportunities and industry professional mentorship.
This year, the annual showcase took place on May 18 in Chicago with over 4,500 students presenting and competing with their inventions.
Following the local showcase, Chicago eighth grader Arnav Chaphalkar came in first place at the U.S. National Invention Convention, competing against 180,000 students. His winning invention is BlindSpace, a revolutionary AI-powered device designed to empower blind and visually impaired people by providing verbal descriptions of surroundings to help navigate unfamiliar environments.
"The Chicago Innovation Foundation's dedication to K-8 students in Chicago by fostering creativity and opportunities is a testament to its commitment to supporting the next generation of innovators. We're proud to provide funding support to ISIC and recognize tomorrow's leaders in STEM,” said Terry Savage, CME Group Foundation Board Member.
Through programs like ISIC, the Chicago Innovation Foundation helps K-8 Illinois educators inspire and enable youth from underserved communities to become problem solvers in STEM and entrepreneurship.
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Students represented at the Invention Convention
Convention Worldwide
Two of the Third Grade Winners at the Illinois Student Invention Convention
