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THE WESTERN NEW YORK INVENTION CONVENTION INC
CLARENCE, NY · EIN 562430369 · Form 990EZ · FY2023 · NTEE B99 · Education · Micro (<$100K) · wnykidsinvent.org
revenue
$69K
expenses
$21K
net assets
$76K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

PROMOTE CREATIVE THINKING AND ENCOURAGE SCIENTIFIC PROBLEM SOLVING IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE STUDENTS IN WESTERN NEW YORK

profile · synthesized from sources

The Western New York Invention Convention supports K-8 students in developing creative thinking and scientific problem-solving skills through an annual invention competition. Students design and present original inventions, with top participants advancing to national events. The program operates in Western New York and emphasizes inclusivity, particularly for at-risk and underrepresented communities.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Educational Outreach Program
Support for educators providing curriculum resources, inventor logbooks, and judging rubrics to guide student invention projects
Re-Invent Challenge
Special category sponsored by Goodwill of Western New York for students who re-purpose existing products
WNY Invention Convention
Annual regional competition where K-8 students present original inventions; winners advance to national events at The Henry Ford Museum
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • STEM Competition and Robotics Programs 2 activities
    • Conducts public outreach and community engagement activities
      Hosts free public information sessions at local libraries during the school year to educate teachers, parents, guardians, and students about the WNY Invention Convention. Also offers engagement opportunities for businesses, organizations, and individuals to support youth invention through volunteering, judging, sponsorship, and event participation.
    • Hosts annual invention convention and competition for K–8 students
      Organizes an annual in-person invention convention at the Buffalo Museum of Science for K–8 students, featuring student pitch presentations evaluated by judges, awards in grade-based categories, recognition of regional winners, and opportunities to advance to national competitions. All registered participants receive certificates and swag bags.
  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
    • Delivers invention and entrepreneurship programs for K–8 students in Western New York
      Provides K–8 students with opportunities to develop creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills through invention, including free participation for underserved and at-risk youth. The program fosters confidence and innovation, with participants filing patents, launching businesses, and pursuing STEM leadership roles.
  • Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
    • Provides professional development and educational resources for educators
      Offers Creativity Workshops and customized Professional Development Day presentations for educators in formal and informal learning settings, aligned with NYS Education Department standards. Also provides free online materials, including an Educator’s Guide, SCAMPER worksheet, instructional videos, and Take-Apart worksheets to support classroom implementation of STEM/STEAM activities.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$69K
Contributions & grants$69K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$21K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$76K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$76K
1 years on record · 2023–2023
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

board members · 5
  • DANIEL BUCKMASTER — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID SCHNEGGENBURGER — DIRECTOR
  • EMILY BROOKS — DIRECTOR
  • MERRY CONSTANTINO — DIRECTOR
  • PHIL SCHNEIDER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 22

Who they work with

  • ACV Auctions Partner — Financial supporter of the Western New York Invention Convention
  • ACV Auctions Partner — Will Giegerich from ACV Auctions serves as a judge at the Western New York Invention Convention.
  • Boy Scouts of America Partner — Provides resources aligned with Boy Scouts of America merit badge programs in inventing
  • Buffalo Museum of Science Partner — Collaborates with Buffalo Museum of Science's Makeshift Lab for workshops and tinkering opportunities
  • Buffalo Museum of Science Partner — Hosts the annual WNY Invention Convention event on its premises.
  • CazMethod Partner — Financial supporter of the Western New York Invention Convention
  • Girl Scouts Partner — Provides resources aligned with Girl Scouts merit badge programs in inventing
  • Goodwill of WNY Partner — Financial supporter of the Western New York Invention Convention
  • Goodwill of Western New York Partner — Sponsors the Re-Invent Challenge at the WNY Invention Convention.
  • Inner Arts & Media Partner — Financial supporter of the Western New York Invention Convention
  • Inspired Outcomes Now Partner — Financial supporter of the Western New York Invention Convention
  • Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM Partner — Partners with Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM for professional development in arts-integrated STEM education
  • Lemelson MIT Network — References Lemelson MIT's resources on awards, outreach, and invention education programs
  • Moog Inc. Partner — Provides judges for the WNY Invention Convention event.
  • NYS Education Department Government — Aligns educator workshops with NYS Education Department standards.
  • National Fuel Partner — Financial supporter of the Western New York Invention Convention
  • National Inventors Hall of Fame Network — Links to National Inventors Hall of Fame for invention and patent resources, workshops, and camps
  • Power & Construction Group, Inc Partner — Financial supporter of the Western New York Invention Convention
  • Qualcomm Partner — Financial supporter of the Western New York Invention Convention
  • Tresca Partner — Financial supporter of the Western New York Invention Convention
  • USPTO Government — References USPTO's educational resources for children on patents and intellectual property
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office Partner — Collaborated with the USPTO to develop national programs and curricula fostering inventive thinking in students.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Creative Thinking Through Structured Methods
    methodology: creative_problem-solving education
    By teaching structured ideation techniques like SCAMPER and take-apart learning, we enhance inventive thinking, because breaking down existing products and applying systematic prompts lowers barriers to innovation and builds foundational design literacy.
  • Curriculum-Integrated Innovation Education
    methodology: curriculum_integration
    By designing invention tools and processes to integrate across subject areas, we embed creative problem-solving into daily learning, because sustainability and impact increase when innovation is not siloed but woven into existing academic structures.
  • Equitable Access as a Foundation for Inclusion
    methodology: equity-through-access
    By removing cost barriers through financial support, we ensure underserved and at-risk youth can participate, because equitable access is a prerequisite for meaningful engagement in invention and STEM learning.
  • Experiential and Project-Based Pedagogy
    methodology: experiential_learning
    By using hands-on invention projects and physical prototyping, we build STEM skills, resilience, and independent thinking, because experiential learning creates authentic problem-solving contexts that reinforce learning through iteration and ownership.
  • Invention-Based Learning for Holistic Student Development
    methodology: invention-based_learning
    By engaging students in invention and entrepreneurship, we develop communication, creativity, perseverance, and problem-solving skills, because hands-on creation fosters deeper cognitive and emotional engagement than traditional instruction.