Chicago Innovation

Your students are natural problem-solvers, but how often do they get the chance to prove it? 🤔

Traditional classrooms are typically teacher-led- but ISIC is student-led learning. Kids get to ask their own questions, chase their own ideas, and build something that solves a problem they care about.

That’s exactly what Misty Richmond, 7th & 8th grade science teacher at James Ward Elementary and a 2026 Golden Apple Award winner for Excellence in Teaching, built her classroom around instead. Hear why in her own words. 🎥⬇️

That’s the ISIC difference- and it’s FREE for K-8 educators across Illinois.

📢 Educator sign-ups are open now. Give your students the chance to invent, problem-solve, and see themselves as innovators.

➡️ Link in our bio to sign up!

Last night was everything. ✨

The room was buzzing with nominees, supporters, and dreamers all in one space, celebrating what it means to bet on yourself and actually be seen for it.

There’s nothing like watching people get recognized for the work they almost didn’t believe in.

Here’s to more rooms like this one!🥂

Sign up for our mailing list with the link in our bio to get more involved. 🥳

Most classrooms teach kids to find the right answer. ISIC teaches them to find the right problem- and then invent their way into solving it.

The Invention Convention (ISIC) is a hands-on program that challenges students to identify a real problem in their world and design an original invention to solve it.

From ideation to prototyping to pitching, students get to think like real inventions- not just learn about them.

Imagine how much impact we could create if every classroom has this opportunity.

Do you want your students to experience ISIC?

Educator sign-ups are OPEN to all who want to participate! Click the link in our bio to find out more.

Chicago just rang the bell heard around the world. 🔔

This week, Chicago Innovation brought our 2025 Award Winners to the heart of Times Square to ring the NASDAQ closing bell- a moment broadcast on national television, spotlighting the founders and leaders driving innovation forward in our city. ✨

For 25 years, Chicago Innovation has championed the belief that world-class innovation doesn’t only happen on the coasts. This week, the rest of the country got to see it too.

Congratulations to our 2025 winners! This moment belongs to you, and to the entire Chicago innovation community that made it possible. 🏙️