TAMPA, Fla. (April 20, 2026) – The University of South Florida (USF) hosted the second annual Invention Convention Florida at the University of South Florida (ICF@USF) on April 11, bringing together 180 K–12 student inventors from across the state to showcase original solutions to real-world challenges.
As the official state affiliate of the Henry Ford Museum’s Invention Convention Worldwide, this year’s ICF@USF featured student invention presentations, prototype demonstrations, judging and an awards ceremony recognizing excellence across grade levels and categories. Participating students earned their spot in ICF@USF by competing in school-, district-, or community-based invention competitions and STEM Fairs, or through nomination by an educator or mentor.
Students presented their inventions and prototypes to panels of judges composed of industry professionals, educators and innovators, competing for recognition and the opportunity to advance to the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals in June at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.
“At the University of South Florida, we are deeply committed to strengthening Florida’s innovation ecosystem, and Invention Convention Florida is a powerful extension of that mission,” said Prasant Mohapatra, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at USF. “By engaging K–12 students in hands-on invention and problem-solving, we are building an early pipeline of talent that will drive our state’s future workforce, research and economic growth. It is inspiring to see these students take their first steps as innovators on our campus.”
The student inventors tackled a wide range of challenges, from environmental sustainability to everyday usability, demonstrating the power of creativity and applied problem-solving at an early age.
“When students see that their ideas can solve real problems, everything changes,” said Elizabeth Dougherty, Eastern Regional Outreach Director at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. “ICF@USF creates that moment, where students begin to think like inventors and recognize their ability to shape the world around them.”
Top honors were awarded across grade-level categories, with standout student inventors recognized for their creativity, impact, and problem-solving:
Best in Show – Elementary: Hadley Gilcrest (Grade 3), Porta Popper
Best in Show – Secondary: Yashika Garg, Sarayu Karedla, and Navita Mishra (Grade 10), NeuroPath: Machine Learning for Early Detection of Cognitive
A full list of winners is available here.
About ICF@USF
Building on the success of its inaugural year in 2025, ICF@USF continues to grow as a cornerstone statewide program supporting invention education, entrepreneurship, and workforce development in Florida, by providing more students across Florida with the opportunity to develop ideas, build prototypes, and engage in the innovation process from concept to presentation. Invention Convention Florida at USF is the official Florida State Affiliate of Invention Convention Worldwide , a program of The Henry Ford, and is part of a national network dedicated to fostering invention education and empowering the next generation of innovators. ICF@USF is also a key outreach program of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, headquartered at USF. For more information about Invention Convention Florida @ USF, visit https://floridainvents.org/ or follow the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame on social media.
About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
About The Henry Ford
Located in Dearborn, Michigan, The Henry Ford is a globally recognized cultural destination that inspires people to learn from hands-on encounters with artifacts representing America’s history of innovation and resourcefulness. Its venues include the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center, and Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school. The institution also reaches national audiences through its television series The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation and Invention Convention Worldwide, a growing network that fosters invention education in K–12 students. Learn more at www.thehenryford.org .
Media Contacts
Jamie Spurrier
Florida Inventors Hall of Fame at USF
jspurrie@usf.edu
Lauren Parker
Florida Inventors Hall of Fame at USF
mcpherson1@usf.ed
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