Call for Entries: Rubber Band Invention Contest!

Call for Entries: Rubber Band Invention Contest! 

(Grades 5–8)

Teachers, here’s a fun, creative way to bring STE(A)M to life in your classroom—plus your school could win cash prizes!

The Akron Global Polymer Academy invites students to design and create an invention or artwork using at least one rubber band. This hands-on challenge is perfect for encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Finalists have been from Lancaster County in the past!

💰 Prizes & Awards

• 2 Grand Prizes: $150 each
  
  
• 2 Runner-Up Prizes: $100 each
  
  
• 8 Finalist Prizes: $50 each
  
  
• Top 10 schools with the most student entries share a $500 school prize pool
  (Minimum of 2 entries per school to qualify.)

🧠 The Challenge

Students create an invention or piece of art that creatively uses rubber bands—a polymer with surprising properties and tons of potential!

🗓 Key Details

• Open to: 5th–8th Grade Students
  
  
• Deadline: Entries must be postmarked by February 20, 2026
  
  
• More Info + Lesson Plans: rubberbandcontest.org 

✨ Why Participate?

• Encourages design thinking & creativity
  
  
• Connects arts and engineering
  
  
• Great for makerspace, enrichment, or classroom integration
  
  
• Potential funds for your school!

Ready to stretch those imaginations?
👉 Visit rubberbandcontest.org  to get rules, entry forms, and classroom resources.

👉 Looking for support. Contact us at ecses-it@iu13.org.

Please do not hesitate to reach out for help with STEM and Instructional Technology by using our ecses-it@iu13.org email. 

Frequently used links:

CLEVER

STEM and Technology Hub

Maker Space Inventory of Materials 

Maker Space Sign-out