About the Course
Calling all inventors! CTY’s Inventions in Engineering course introduces young students to the imaginations, habits, and characteristics of successful inventors, and the history and impact of their creations. From Rube Goldberg machines to upcycled cars, you’ll use the engineering design process to solve problems while creating your own inventions. You and your classmates will work on a hands-on project in addition to writing peer reviews, keeping an idea log, and participating in forums and live class meetings to share your ideas and reflect on your designs. Adult supervision is recommended for the hands-on projects, especially for younger students. For the final project, you’ll create and showcase your own invention!
Learning Objectives
- Identify problems, constraints, stakeholders, and criteria for success
- Identify a problem and research and brainstorm possible solutions
- Evaluate potential solutions based on their usefulness, practicality, ease of use, cost, aesthetics, and environmental impact
- Create a prototype design plan by drawing detailed diagrams and selecting appropriate materials
- Effectively test and evaluate a prototype and improve its design to ensure your invention meets the criteria for success
- Give and receive useful feedback through the peer-review process
- Create an informative Sway presentation
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
Online
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: December 15, 2025
Time Commitment:
Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
CTY Inventions Course Kit
Other Required Materials (not included in lab kit)
- Device for taking pictures and videos Materials self-chosen for design projects
- Baking and pantry ingredients self-chosen for design project
- Toilet paper tube
- Small piece of cardboard
- Rubber bands
- Scissors
- Glitter, small beads, and/or other self-chosen small objects
- 5 materials to test for conductivity from around your home
- 1-2 standard size pieces copy paper
- 1 standard paperclip (optional)
- 3 inches of Scotch tape (optional)
- Glue (optional)
- 3 staples (optional)
Time Commitment: 3-7 hours per week (up to 1 hour of class time, up to 1 hour of optional meetings, 3-5 hours of independent work).
Meeting Times: This course meets Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern time).
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: February 17, 2026
Time Commitment:
Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
CTY Inventions Course Kit
Other Required Materials (not included in lab kit)
- Device for taking pictures and videos Materials self-chosen for design projects
- Baking and pantry ingredients self-chosen for design project
- Toilet paper tube
- Small piece of cardboard
- Rubber bands
- Scissors
- Glitter, small beads, and/or other self-chosen small objects
- 5 materials to test for conductivity from around your home
- 1-2 standard size pieces copy paper
- 1 standard paperclip (optional)
- 3 inches of Scotch tape (optional)
- Glue (optional)
- 3 staples (optional)
Time Commitment: 3-7 hours per week (up to 1 hour of class time, up to 1 hour of optional meetings, 3-5 hours of independent work).
Meeting Times: This course meets Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern time).
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid