THINGAMAJIG RULES:
- Young people can enter the competition as an individual or in a team of no more than 3 individuals.
- All participants must be between the ages of 5–14.
- You must enter an original invention/project (no manufactured kits accepted).
- Use of recycled materials is strongly encouraged.
- No more than $20 can be spent on materials for your invention/project.
- A log must be created and submitted/uploaded with your final entry.
- A display board must be created to illustrate the steps to your invention design.
- All Inventions, fashions and talents must be submitted as a part of the student registration via YouTube/photo. Failure to provide a video will disqualify you from the competition. Judging will be virtual using registered items only. See instructions below for HOW TO CREATE YOUR VIDEO.
- Thingamajig Registration Deadline: JULY 19, 2024.
- A series of workshops designed to help understand the invention process and preparation for competition will be offered throughout the month of June-July. Look out for announced events on the website.
- Interviews with Thingamajig Volunteer Judges will be held – Tuesday, July 23rd, Thursday, July 25th and Friday, July 26, 2024. Additional information will be sent to everyone eligible to be interviewed for this year's competiton.
NOTE: A parent/guardian email must be used for registration.
HOW TO CREATE YOUR VIDEO
Create a 4-6 minute YouTube video that tells the story of your Thingamajig Invention: How does your invention answer the Thingamajig Invention Challenge you selected? What process did you go through to come up with the solution to the challenge and how did you created your invention?
- Plan your video ahead of time so you know the order of what you want the video to look like. If this is a team project, then each team member needs to be a part of to telling the story. Plan out ahead of time who will speak when
- Once you are ready:
- Find a quiet, well-lit spot where you can set up your display board, invention, log and you have room to present. Natural light from windows works well. Just don’t stand in front of the window. You don’t want to be in the shadow, so the light should be coming toward you, the invention and your display board.
- Talk in a loud, clear, voice. You are the expert on your invention!
- It is normal to be a little nervous. Pretend you are telling a story to your best friend. And you can always start over!!
- Introduce yourself. If you are a part of a team, have each team member introduce themselves
- Name
- Age
- YMCA, School
- City, State
- Why did you select the challenge?
- What problem does it address?
- Who has this problem?
- Did you do any research on this problem?
- What did you find?
- Describe the invention you built to solve the challenge.
- Did you check to make sure this invention doesn’t already exist?
- If it does, what did you do to make your invention different? Better?
- What challenges did you overcome to arrive at your final design? – hold up your Invention Log to show that you documented the process.
- Did you have to redesign? Why?
- How did the testing go?
- What did you learn as you went through the design, build, and test cycle?
- What kind of materials did you use?
- Explanation or demonstration of your prototype (It does not need to be working)
- Be sure to show it on the video (you can have the camera move in closer)
- Point out the features – if it is working, show how it works. Use your display board to explain.
- It is important that the judges get a chance to see your display board.
- Video cannot be “produced;” it is expected to be a continuous 4-6 minute video. It is OK to be prompted by a parent with questions during the video. (limit 50MB per file)
- Don’t add any special graphics or music
- No special editing such as fade in/out
- Use your display board to help you make your points throughout your video
- UPLOAD your video to YouTube.
Creating your video using your iPhone or other cell phone
Before you begin - turn off the AUTO-LOCK in settings.
Steps for turning off AUTO-LOCK:
- Go to your Settings button
- Click on Display and Brightness
- Click on Auto-Lock and select: Never
Record the video on the iPhone using the video instructions.
Upload Video:
- Open YouTube.
- Click on the CAMERA in the top bar.
- Click on the Video you would like to upload.
- Click on NEXT in the top right corner.
- Change the TITLE.
- Add a DESCRIPTION.
- Keep the upload PUBLIC.
- Click the UPLOAD in the top right corner.
- You will copy and paste your YouTube video link in the online registration form in the appropriate spot.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
HISTORY
OF THE
YMCA THINGAMAJIG® INVENTION CONVENTION
The first THINGAMAJIG was held in 1994, when 138 Y Sci-Tech summer campers at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington presented science projects to a small team of judges. Over the following 30 years, the annual event grew to become an important touchstone for area youth to experience hands-on science and technology. In July 2019, Thingamajig was the largest STEM-related convention in the D.C. area, drawing 4,500+ youth and hundreds of volunteer judges and activity leaders. THINGAMAJIG is successfully designed to help motivate young people to “think outside the box” and explore science, technology, engineering and math in a manner that is highly engaging with lasting positive effects, most notably for the many participants who come from underserved communities and low income environments.
The concept of THINGAMAJIG went national in 2015, when the YMCA of the USA Youth Development STEM Initiative recognized it as a successful model to begin implementing at an additional 17 YMCA associations around the USA.
When the novel coronavirus disrupted everyone’s lives in 2020, the Y had to cancel the large in-person event, but recognized that keeping youth engaged and learning was more important than ever. Using the THINGAMAJIG concepts of thinking creatively and embracing technology, a virtual version of this important event was created for 2020 and 2021. In 2022, a hybrid version was introduced, combining opportunities for youth to create inventions at home or at day camps, and hosting a smaller-scale in-person THINGAMAJIG day that was also live-streamed. In
For THINGAMAJIG 2023, the Y was delighted to be able to return in-person with a fun-filled event held at the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, Virginia. THINGAMAJIG 2024 celebrates 30 years of innovative opportunties to spark STEM excitement for young people. Please join us at the USPTO on July 30, 2024 for a day filled with hands-on exhibits, challenges and workshops. The 30th Annual THINGAMAJIG Invention Convention will inspire children to utilize their creativity and strategic thinking skills with exciting opportunities to learn, play and be inspired through STEM. Connecting Today ... for Tomorrow!
Kids: Click here to register to be an inventor!
Grown-Ups: Click here to register to be a judge!
We are excited with the opportunity to host this year's THINGAMAJIG in-person while still using the virtual judging as the mechanism to select the winners in each of the challenge categories. Join us for the THINGAMAJIG Invention Convention on July 30, 2024 at the United States Patent and Trademark Offices (USPTO), Alexandria, Virginia for a day of interactive STEM workshops, challenges and the awarding of this year’s winners.
More information will be shared later.
All participants must register online; submit a video/photos no later than July 19.
THINGAMAJIG Invention Convention - July 30, 2024
Kids: Click here to register to be an inventor!
Grown-Ups: Click here to register to be a judge!
Invention Challenge - Action Contraption
Unleash your creativity and engineering skills to transform an ordinary object into an extraordinary Action Contraption. Be the inventor of a fun and exciting gadget that will bring joy and wonder to those who use it.
Invention Challenge - Helping Hand, Helping Heart
Imagine a world where older adults can lead happier, healthier and more independent lives. Realizing the needs of seniors, design a new tool or technology that will make their lives better.
Invention Challenge - Home is Essential
Picture a world where no one is left without shelter or warmth. Using your imagination and creativity, design a living space that offers comfort, security and dignity to those individuals or families experiencing homelessness.
Invention Challenge - iCan...Play
Use your imagination and engineering skills to design an inclusive game or toy that ensures children of all abilities can join in the excitement and play safely. Now is your opportunity to create an amazing invention that brings joy and entertainment to everyone, regardless of their abilities.
Invention Challenge - Limb Friendly
Use your problem-solving skills to design a truly remarkable and useful invention that will help someone missing a limb or in need of assistance. Just think, your invention can make a positive impact on someone's life.
Invention Challenge - Paper Made
Unleash your creative juices as you dive into the world of eco-friendly paper designing. Using the power of paper, design an eco-friendly invention using only paper or cardboard as your building blocks.
Invention Challenge - Ready, Set, ZOOM
Rev up your creativity and engineering skills in the Ready, Set, ZOOM Invention Challenge! Put the laws of motion into action by designing a mobile creation made from recycled materials that can spin, roll, rock and go.
Invention Challenge - Robot Magic
Whether big or small, let your imagination run wild as you engineer an incredible robot that performs a task to help make the world a better place.
Invention Challenge - Scrap Art
Transform discarded scraps and found objects into a masterpiece of art using your imagination and creative energy. Whether you script it, frame it or create a mixed media piece let your creativity shine as you mastermind a unique creation.
Invention Challenge - Shoes, Shoes, New Shoes
Step into the world of foot fashion design. Think outside the box as you put your creativity to the test by designing a new and exciting footwear that puts a fresh and sustainable look to an environmentally friendly shoe.
Invention Challenge - Zero Waste Trashion Fashion
With your passion for fashion mixed with concern for the environment, create an one-of-a-kind piece that not only looks fabulous but also helps protect our planet. Repurpose old fabrics, accessories and other odds and ends into a work of art ready for the runway. Show off your fabulous fashion at this year's Thingamajig Convention.
THINGAMAJIG Judging Criteria
Most inventions follow the same formula for success by being:
- Original
- Effective
- Practical
- Needed
- Carefully recorded in a log or journal (Young children may use pictures or dictate information to someone)
Use the Thingamajig Judging Rubric to record scores and comments about each inventor as they present their invention idea. For each category, consider questions such as these:
ORIGINALITY:
- Did the inventor find a unique, unusual, or clever solution to the Thingamajig challenge?
- Did the inventor research the challenge? (This should yield an age-appropriate response a young child might ask a number of people; an older child might explore catalogs, stores and related companies, search the internet or even a patent database. Ask to see a record of what the inventor researched.)
INVENTION EFFECTIVENESS:
- Does the invention solve the challenge?
- Does it do what it is supposed to?
- Does it work even better than the inventor expected?
- Does it solve other problems, too?
PRACTICALITY OF THE INVENTION:
- What advantages and disadvantages does this invention have as compared to other similar inventions?
- How much thought was given to safety, ease to use, and choice of mate
NEED FOR THE INVENTION:
- How important is the challenge solved by the invention?
- Who benefits from it, many, few, or only the inventor?
- Does it serve a disadvantaged group, like the handicapped, the elderly, or animals?
- Is the invention more or less friendly to the environment than currently available products?
RECORDING THE INVENTING PROCESS:
- How well did the inventor explain the steps taken from beginning idea to invention?
- Did the inventor date and list the steps in the inventor's log book?
- Did the inventor include resources used, problems they ran into, reasons for choice of materials, final design and testing?
- Was credit given to those who helped?
Kids: Click here to register to be an inventor!
Grown-Ups: Click here to register to be a judge!
