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GRADES 4-12
FREE TO ENTER
FREE STEM KITS
STUDENT & SCHOOL PRIZES
$150 MENTOR STIPENDS
ABOUT US
Big questions.
Young minds.
Real inventions.
Created by the Edison Innovation Foundation and inspired by the legacy of Thomas Edison, the Thomas Edison Pitch Contest is a free national STEM invention competition inviting students in grades 4–12 to think bigger, challenge what's possible, and bring their own ideas to life.
More than a traditional science competition, it's an opportunity for young innovators to develop real-world problem-solving skills, explore entrepreneurship, and gain the confidence to turn their ideas into something meaningful. Who knows where the next Thomas Edison will come from!
EVERY INVENTION STARTS WITH A QUESTION.
INVENTION CATEGORIES
Six Starting Points.
Infinite Directions.
Great inventions start with real-world problems. Explore six STEM invention categories to inspire your project, or identify a challenge that matters to you. Every great idea has a place here.
01
Health & Wellness Technology
Invent solutions that improve health, support patients, prevent injuries, & make everyday care easier.
01
Public Safety & Accessibility
Develop smarter ways to protect nature, reduce waste, conserve resources, & support a healthier planet.
01
Food Security & Clean Water
Rethink how we grow, protect, distribute, & conserve food & water.
01
Learning & Communication
Make communities safer, improve emergency response, & create a more accessible world.
01
Environment & Sustainability
Create tools that help people learn, communicate, & overcome everyday barriers.
01
People, Pets & Everyday Life
Solve the little frustrations & everyday challenges that make life more complicated than it needs to be.
CONTEST STAGES
How the Edison
Pitch Contest Works
Students move through four stages of the invention process, from identifying a real-world problem to building and testing a prototype, improving their solution, and pitching their invention.
No STEM experience or advanced equipment required.
THE FINALE
Where History Meets The Future
The contest culminates in an unforgettable Finals experience at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, where nine finalist teams earn the opportunity to showcase their inventions to a panel of experts.
Finalists demonstrate their prototypes, network with fellow young inventors, and compete for exciting STEM prizes, all at the historic lab where Edison and his team changed the world. Teams can participate in person or virtually.
900+
STUDENTS EACH YEAR
45
STATES REACHED
5
COUNTRIES REACHED
A MEMORABLE & ILLUMINATING EXPERIENCE
THE REWARDS
Prizes & Perks.
Big ideas deserve big recognition! From free invention resources to exciting finalist prizes, every team has something to gain.
STUDENT AWARDS
Trophies, Gift Cards & Finalist Swag!
All nine finalist teams receive trophies, finalist T-shirts, and gift cards to celebrate their achievements.
SCHOOL PRIZES
Big STEM Equipment Prizes!
Winning teams can earn equipment such as 3D printers and scanners for their schools or programs.
TEAM RESOURCES
Free STEM Maker Kits
Optional hands-on kits help teams explore electronics & coding. Available to request at registration. More info in full guide.
MENTOR BENEFITS
$150 Mentor Stipends
Eligible adult mentors receive $150 when their team completes the competition, limited to one stipend per mentor.
Every completed entry gets recognized.
Teams that submit a complete final entry earn an Official Edison Certificate and entry into the Knights of Edison® Fan Club.
Final prize packages are subject to confirmation. Maker Kits are optional and require an additional short idea video; availability and eligibility rules apply.
THE OPPORTUNITY
A competition that
builds more than inventions.
The prototype is only part of the outcome. Students leave with skills they can use well beyond the classroom.
THINK LIKE A FOUNDER
Entrepreneurship Skills
Identify a real need, research existing solutions, consider feasibility, and explain why an idea matters to its users.
FIND YOUR VOICE
Confidence & Communication
Present ideas, answer questions, interview an expert, and build the confidence to stand behind original work.
WORK LIKE AN INVENTOR
Problem-solving & Teamwork
Collaborate, experiment, learn from results, make improvements, and keep going when the first attempt isn't the answer.
KEY DATES
Your Road to the
2027 Finals
From the first spark to the final pitch. Select a milestone to see what happens next.
DEC 1, 2026
JAN 7, 2027
JAN 13, 2027
JAN 22, 2027
FEB 1-5, 2027
APR 16, 2027
APR 7, 2027
APR 26, 2027
MAY 19, 2027
VIDEO SUBMISSION
Lights, Camera, Bright Ideas!
Every great invention has a story worth telling.
Inspired by Edison's pioneering work in motion pictures right here in New Jersey, we're putting a creative spin on the traditional pitch competition.
Instead of lengthy reports, students bring their inventions to the screen, building real-world skills in public speaking, persuasive communication, filmmaking, and creative storytelling.
Teams demonstrate their prototypes, share their process, and pitch their ideas on camera, just as entrepreneurs pitch to investors. Their final videos are judged to select the nine finalist teams.
FROM INVENTION TO SCREEN
THE OPPORTUNITY
Everything You Need To Start An Entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact The Edison Team!
Questions about registration, Maker Kits, submissions, or bringing the contest to your school? Our team is here to help.