Program
Gates Invention & Innovation Program

Competition Day

Over 20 Years of Gates Innovation

2024 Dates

List of 3 items.

  • Invention Expo

    Thursday, March 7, 2024
    1-3pm


  • Finalist Presentations

    Friday, March 8, 2024

  • Awards Ceremony

    Friday, March 8, 2024

Competition Day

At the expo, students are prepared to display and discuss their hard work from start to finish.

List of 3 items.

  • Judging Process

    1. At the expo, judges speak with each inventor to evaluate the entries before selecting 10-15 finalists.
    2. The following day, finalists make individual presentations to the panel of judges using additional support material such as slide presentations to describe their invention and process in more detail.
    3. Judges sequester to determine the contest winners.
    Cash awards up to $500 are given in both the Grades 5/6 and Grades 7/8 categories.
  • Criteria

    All entries are judged on four criteria:
    • Functionality
    • Creativity
    • Marketability
    • Clarity of Communication
  • Patent Support

    In exceptional cases, judges may award a "patent nod" to a particular invention. Those projects receive additional funding for more in-depth research, design and guidance through the patent process.

2024 Competition Finalists

5th/6th Grade Division
  • Safe To Hike - Caroline M. and Cat C.
  • Dignity for Dementia - Walker C.
  • Travel Tray - Charlie D. and Lexi F.
  • Arthritic Phone Case - Aidan N., Jack L. and Ryan W.
  • Buckle Up 2.0 - Bentley O.
  • Winter Watch Window - Carter T.
  • Crocs Jibbits Holder - Miles W.

7th/8th Grade Division
  • The Shower Crutch 2.0 - Brynn A.
  • The Real Reel Cleaner - Cash B.
  • Pickle Pro - Teddy H. and Nico B.
  • Whip-A-Stick - Henry C.
  • The Locker Hub - Charlie C. and Emery H.
  • The Easy Measure - Yoomi F.

Competition Day Judges

Graland Country Day School

Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.