The Henry Ford in Dearborn will serve as the national stage for the next generation of inventors as it hosts the RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals 2026, taking place June 3–5 at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.
The event brings together nearly 450 top K–12 student innovators from across the country, each having advanced through competitive local and state-level invention programs. The awards ceremony will take place on June 5.
Presented annually by The Henry Ford, the RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals is the culminating experience of Invention Convention Worldwide, a program designed to foster problem-solving, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking through hands-on invention education.
Students who qualify earn the opportunity to present their original solutions to real-world challenges before panels of industry and educational experts.
“One of the greatest impacts from Invention Convention is empowering students to see their ideas as real-world solutions Along the way, they build confidence and innovative problem-solving skills that will stay with them far beyond the competition,” says Kristy Becerra, senior director of corporate social responsibility at RTX.
Throughout the three-day event, participants will:
- Present their inventions and prototypes to expert judges
- Engage with fellow student innovators and industry leaders
- Participate in hands-on educational programming
- Compete for more than 75 awards across grade levels, categories, and industries, including cash prizes, scholarships, and patent opportunities
“The outcomes of Invention Convention Worldwide and the impact that this program is having on these youth inventors are significant,” says Patricia Mooradian, president and CEO of The Henry Ford. “These innovative students are already receiving patents and having their products reach the market. They are our country’s workforce of tomorrow.”
The event culminates in a public student showcase and awards ceremony recognizing the nation’s most promising young inventors.
Participation in Invention Convention Worldwide reaches more than 300,000 students in 35 states and Puerto Rico annually through a network of educators, business leaders, and community partners.
The program equips students with durable skills valued in today’s workforce such as critical thinking, problem identification, creativity, communication, collaboration, empathy, and adaptability.
For more information, visit here.
In Related News, The Henry Ford will welcome the historic Dr. Sullivan and Mrs. Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson Home to Greenfield Village with a three-day block party, June 12–14, celebrating the arrival of the first new structure added to the Village in more than four decades.
Originally located in Selma, Ala., the Jackson Home was the residence of Dr. Sullivan Jackson and his family and served as a gathering place for leaders and community members during the Civil Rights Movement. Its addition to Greenfield Village expands the institution’s ability to explore the American story through place-based experiences and lived history.
The event invites guests with admission and our members to experience the stories, traditions and community connections that define the Jackson Home through a weekend of programming, performances and hands-on activities. As part of the celebration, The Jackson’s daughter, Jawana, who grew up in the home, will be part of a panel discussion about the happenings inside the home and the Civil Rights Movement.
Throughout the weekend, Greenfield Village will feature programming that reflects the themes of community, creativity and cultural expression connected to the Jackson Home.
A centerpiece of the celebration is a Black-owned business market, bringing together more than 30 small businesses and community organizations. Participating vendors include The Better Detroit Brownie Co., Source Booksellers, Detroit Cocoa Bar, Sweet Potato Delights, Poppa’s Gourmet Hot Sauce, and Shugababies Knitwear, among others.
Additional activities throughout the Village will include:
- Live music and performances spanning gospel, jazz, blues, and contemporary genres
- Panel discussions and workshops exploring Black history, preservation, and cultural legacy
- A vintage baseball game honoring the Pythian Base Ball Club, one of the earliest Black baseball teams in the United States
- Interactive experiences including Double-Dutch demonstrations, craft activities, and family-friendly games
- Cooking demonstrations and food experiences inspired by the Jackson Home and its Southern roots
The weekend also will feature themed tours and historical vignettes across Greenfield Village. For more information, visit here.
Access to the Jackson Home will be available through timed reservations, while the surrounding block party activities are included with Greenfield Village admission and do not require a separate reservation.
