This capstone event is more than just a contest. It’s the culmination of months of creativity, hard work, and learning. The students face the exciting challenge of presenting their ideas to a panel of judges, who evaluate ingenuity, problem-solving skills, and presentation abilities. Supported by teachers, parents, and the Inventionland Education team, these students gain invaluable real-world experience that will serve them for years to come.
1st Place: “The Untie Not”
• Created by: Olivia Adams and Samantha Preist, Grove City Middle School (Grove City Area School District)
• Product Description: A simple solution for shoes that come untied. A small mechanism attaches to the shoelaces to keep the knot securely in Place.
2nd Place: “Need Guard”
• Created by: Ethan Cooke, Elijah Lawson, and Gavin Purdy, Grove City Middle School (Grove City Area School District)
• Product Description: The Needle Guard prevents losing the pump needle for sports balls and helps keep it from breaking.
3rd Place: “Crayon Cast”
• Created by: Abby Borsa, Maggie Paxton, and Kinsley Elkins, Neil Armstrong Middle School (Bethel Park School District)
• Product Description: A clever “cast” for crayons designed to prevent breakage and make them last longer.
At the heart of this event is Inventionland Education’s Science of Invention curriculum. This program goes beyond textbooks, giving students hands-on opportunities to explore invention and problem-solving in a way that mirrors real-world innovation. Through this approach, learners develop not only technical skills but also creativity, resilience, and teamwork.
The contest perfectly embodies the mission of Inventionland Education: to inspire a new generation of inventors and innovators. By encouraging students to dream big and pursue their ideas, the curriculum helps prepare them for future careers in engineering, design, entrepreneurship, and beyond.
Now in its ninth season, Tomorrow’s World Today continues to explore the worlds of inspiration, creation, innovation, and production. Past episodes have featured global leaders in science and industry, including NASA, Toyota, Caterpillar, and U.S. Steel. By featuring Inventionland Education, the program underscores the importance of cultivating innovation at the earliest stages of learning.
Viewers not only see the excitement of the competition unfold but also gain insight into how applied STEM education nurtures imagination and equips students with the skills to tackle real-world challenges.
The premiere aired Saturday, August 30th, at 10 A.M. on the Science Channel, followed by an encore presentation on Sunday, September 28th, 2025, at 8:30 A.M. on the Discovery Channel. The episode has since become one of the most-watched installments of the four-time Telly Award-winning Tomorrow’s World Today, inspiring audiences nationwide.
For those who missed the broadcasts, the full episode is also available for streaming on YouTube, giving educators, students, and families a front-row seat to the next generation of inventors in action.
This premiere was more than a television segment; it was a national stage for students to showcase their creativity and celebrate education that inspires invention. It reminds us what’s possible when young minds are empowered to innovate.