What is the Maryland Invention Convention(MIC)?

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:03:43 -0500
and, betsy, center, george, sherman, the

We are excited to announce a new chapter for The George and Betsy Sherman Center at UMBC! Starting this Fall, the Sherman Center has become the official Maryland affiliate for Invention Convention Worldwide.

The Mission: Beyond Science Fairs

The Maryland Invention Convention (MIC) is a K-12 invention education program that goes beyond traditional science fairs. It is designed to instill problem-identification, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship skills in students.

Rather than just testing a hypothesis, students follow a 7-step invention process to solve real-world problems they see in their own lives or communities. They identify a challenge, conduct research, ideate, design, and ultimately build a functional prototype.

The program builds a "can-do" culture, preparing young people for the 21st-century workforce by:

Building Confidence: Students learn to present their ideas to industry leaders and expert judges.

Real-World Impact: Participants have the chance to secure patents, with nearly 30 students receiving USPTO patents through this ecosystem since 2018.

Global Reach: Top inventors from the Maryland competition can advance to the U.S. Nationals at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

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