Where Young Innovators Change the World
InnovationX is an annual innovation challenge that empowers students to identify authentic problems, conduct research, design innovative solutions, build prototypes, and present their work before educators, university faculty, healthcare professionals, engineers, and industry leaders.
What is InnovationX?
The culminating experience of the AE4® Framework.
Unlike a traditional science fair, InnovationX emphasizes innovation, entrepreneurship, engineering design, artificial intelligence, collaboration, and authentic impact — the complete innovation process, from empathy to pitch.
- 01Empathize with real users
- 02Define authentic problems
- 03Conduct research
- 04Brainstorm innovative solutions
- 05Develop prototypes
- 06Test and refine solutions
- 07Pitch their innovations
Competition Categories
Three pathways to real-world impact.
STEM+C Research
Students investigate real scientific questions and conduct authentic research alongside university faculty.
Social Innovation
Students design solutions that improve communities and address meaningful social challenges.
Entrepreneurship
Students launch innovative products, services, and ventures that solve real-world problems.
Grade Divisions
Built for every stage of student development.
Middle School
Foundational innovation skills — design thinking, prototyping, and collaborative problem-solving.
High School
Advanced research, engineering design, entrepreneurship, and university-mentored innovation projects.
The Innovation Process
From empathy to pitch.
Why InnovationX?
What students gain.
Student Opportunities
Doors that open through InnovationX.
InnovationX Impact
A growing movement of student innovators.
Partners
Powered by leading universities & partners.
Photo Gallery
Scenes from InnovationX.
Testimonials
Voices of young innovators.
InnovationX changed how I think about solving problems. It gave me confidence to pursue engineering.
Pitching to real industry leaders in high school was the moment I knew I could be an innovator.
Our team's prototype went from a sketch to a working device we now use in the community.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Ready to inspire the next generation of innovators?
Join schools across the conference as students develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges.