First Tier

• The initial application, available in the fall, is due the following spring. Assessment criteria for the first round will be based on project planning, organization of student involvement, and potential for collaboration. Strong proposals are sophisticated and well planned; include student generated ideas and assistance in developing the application; demonstrate the teacher's interest in invention and abilities to facilitate a self-directed learning project; identify and/or establish collaborations with other organizations; and exhibit school support. Technical feasibility will not be gauged during this round.
• The initial application includes the form, invention project proposal, interest in invention statement, signed letter of support from school authority, current resume or CV, optional special consideration statement, and project development proposal.
• Teachers may also apply for early action and receive preliminary feedback on their initial application drafts. This will enhance their initial application for a stronger submission.
• Up to 35 applicants from the initial pool will be selected as finalists and invited to submit a final InvenTeams application.
• Finalists are also recipients of the Excite Award and will be invited to attend the 2008 InvenTeams Odyssey, the capstone event for this year's InvenTeams and part of EurekaFest, a multi-day event to celebrate the inventive spirit. This event will be in June at MIT. Recipients will learn about the InvenTeams experience first-hand and attend workshops on the invention process, which count toward Professional Development Points (PDPs). Travel, food and lodging are provided for recipients.
• Teachers may request a mini-grant of up to $250 to help develop their final InvenTeams applications.

Newberg High School InvenTeam (2007)

Second Tier

• The final application, due September 12, 2008, further outlines a specific project proposal that has been developed with student teams.
• Technical feasibility and budget requests are evaluated, in addition to the criteria specified in the initial application.

A panel of MIT professors, staff and alumni, plus Boston-based inventors, educators, and InvenTeams alumni review and assess the applications at each tier. When assessing applications, special care is taken to select teams that reflect a range of school settings, student populations, and project proposals. For additional information, please read the FAQ.