Despite the steady rain on May 14, creativity and curiosity filled the 15th Annual Thomas Edison Pitch Contest Finals. The event took place under a large tent at the historic Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, NJ. Finalist teams came from across the country—and even overseas—to pitch their inventions just steps from where Edison brought more than 1,000 patents to life.

Inspired by Edison’s legacy, a panel of distinguished judges reviewed each pitch. Judges included Dr. Vinnie Walencik of Montclair State University, Mayor Susan McCartney of West Orange, and Dave Vago and Shemaine McKelvin from the National Park Service. Representing education, government, and innovation, they asked thoughtful questions that encouraged students to think bigger.

The students were more than ready. From young elementary inventors to skilled high school engineers, their creativity and compassion impressed everyone in attendance.

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A Record-Breaking Year for Student Innovation

This year’s STEM invention contest received over 300 entries from 981 students across 152 schools, 32 states, and five countries. Teams were judged not only on ideas, but on how well they used STEM principles to solve real problems—just like Edison did.

Top finalist projects included AI-powered reminders, biodegradable flood tools, elder care devices, and water-saving tech. The results were:

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Elementary School Finalists

First Place: BA Problem Solvers – Brunswick Acres Elementary School, NJ
They designed a fun, kid-friendly attachment to help people with vision impairments use cane tools more comfortably. Their invention was smart, heartfelt, and incredibly useful.

Second Place: Zoe’s Robotics – KTBYTE Computer Science Academy, MA
This Massachusetts student created a tech-savvy device that reminds users to grab important items before leaving home. It was personal, practical, and easy to imagine in everyday life.

Third Place: Advaspire Squad – Malaysia
This international team built a 3D-printed device to help seniors manage medications. Their tool was tested, creative, and had the potential to improve daily life for many.

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Middle School Finalists

First Place: MAVEN – Readington Middle School, NJ
They developed an AI-based air quality system that tracks pollution in real time and helps communities take action. Their work stood out for its research and leadership.

Second Place: Water Benders – Juan Cabrillo Middle School, CA
This team created a device to monitor and predict water quality issues. It performed well and showed a deep understanding of environmental challenges.

Third Place: Nature Innovator – STEM School Highlands Ranch, CO
Their biodegradable tool helps control agricultural flooding and rehydrates crops. It was both practical and sustainable—a great example of problem-solving on a global level.

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High School Finalists

First Place: Spectrostroke – Innovation Academy, GA
Motivated by personal experience, this team built a wearable sweat patch that detects early signs of stroke. It works like a diabetes monitor, with life-saving potential.

Second Place: VRK – John P. Stevens High School, NJ
They designed a modular prosthetic hand kit using 3D printing. The design is affordable, easy to upgrade, and hands control back to the user—literally and figuratively.

Third Place: Monsoon Gladiator – Homeschool, Sindh, Pakistan
This team tackled a common community issue by designing a smart pothole detection system. Using sensors and imaging, it identifies dangers before they worsen. The project hit home for many.

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Edison AI Award: Tomorrow’s Tech, Today

This year introduced the Edison AI Award, sponsored by the Charles Edison Fund. It was awarded to the team that used artificial intelligence most thoughtfully—reflecting Edison’s belief in adapting to new tools, improving ideas, and driving your own learning.

The first-ever winner was a middle school student from Massachusetts. She built and coded an offline safety device using AI. From concept to prototype, she did it all herself. Her work stood out for how it balanced safety, privacy, and innovation.

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Edison’s Spirit Lives On in Every Student

This contest celebrates more than student achievement. It highlights the power of learning by doing. Students leave with more than awards—they gain skills in design, speaking, research, and teamwork. In short, they learn to think like Edison.

“What you’ve created isn’t just inventive—it’s thoughtful. Your solutions don’t just aim to fix problems; they ask deeper questions. They consider people. They consider impact. They solve more responsibly and more effectively than generations before you.”

— Nicole Acosta, Pitch Contest Director

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Join Us in 2025–26: Free, Fun, and Full of Discovery

Free registration for the 2025–26 Thomas Edison Pitch Contest opens December 1. The contest is open to students in grades 4–12 and includes free resources, a Maker’s Kit, and support from staff. No fees. No experience needed. Just an idea—and the drive to explore it.

Learn more at thomasedisonpitch.org.

Heady times they were, working for Thomas Edison at his legendary West Orange Labs. Many inventors and craftsmen dreamed of such an opportunity. It would be like saying you worked for Elon Musk today. Among those who earned that privilege was Miller Reese Hutchison—affectionately known as “Hutch”—who joined Edison’s team in 1909 and served as Chief Engineer of the West Orange laboratory from August 1912 until July 1918.

For Hutchison, working for Edison was the culmination of a lifelong dream. As a boy of 12 in his native Alabama, he aspired to work for the great inventor. Like Edison, Hutchison was a triple threat—an accomplished inventor, entrepreneur, and promoter. This shared dynamic supercharged their discussions, spurring bold new ideas and vibrant headlines.

Hutchison’s Groundbreaking Contributions to Innovation

Hutchison’s inventiveness began early. While still in school he invented and patented a lightning arrester for telegraph lines in 1895. However, his most well-known invention was his electrical hearing aid called the “Akouphone” which he first developed around 1895. By 1902, he had refined the hearing aid into a more portable form powered by batteries, which he then called the Acousticon. Today, advertisements for hearing aids on radio, TV and the Internet are commonplace.

His contributions extended across industries, reflecting the same versatile genius that characterized Edison. Some of his notable inventions include:

• The Klaxon Car Horn: Known for its iconic “ah-oo-gah” sound, it became a staple in early automobiles.
• Electrical Tachometers for Steamships: Essential for engine monitoring and performance.
• Submarine Batteries: A crucial wartime innovation during World War I.
• Spool of Wire Fastener: An alternative to staples, showcasing his knack for solving everyday challenges.
• Steel Gun Projectile Rivets: These revolutionized the repair of ship hulls and construction girders.
• Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Early efforts to improve environmental sustainability in gasoline combustion.
• Oxygen Sensors for Drivers and Pilots: Advanced tools to enhance combustion efficiency and reduce emissions.

A Lasting Legacy of Innovation and Achievement

In June 1913, Auburn University awarded Hutchison an honorary Electrical Engineering degree, and in June 1914, Spring Hill College granted him an honorary Ph.D. His remarkable career earned him induction into Alabama’s Hall of Fame in 1936, with his patents estimated to exceed 1,000. While this total falls just shy of Edison’s 1,093 domestic patents (and 2,332 international patents), Hutchison’s accomplishments are no less extraordinary.

Amplifying Edison’s Genius: A Collaboration That Shaped Innovation

Hutchison and Edison’s collaboration was rooted in a shared belief that technology could transform everyday life. Their work together at West Orange Labs extended into critical areas like naval technology, where Hutchison’s submarine batteries built directly on Edison’s wartime contributions.

The partnership between the two inventors went beyond mentorship—it was a dynamic exchange of ideas. Edison’s broad vision and experimental approach paired seamlessly with Hutchison’s inventive precision, enabling them to tackle complex challenges together.

Through this collaboration, Hutchison was able to carve out his own legacy of innovation, contributing groundbreaking solutions that not only advanced technology but also shaped the future of industries like naval technology, communications, and automotive design. His work continues to resonate today as a testament to his ingenuity and forward-thinking approach.

Picture a museum visit that transcends the ordinary—a journey where history and future dreams converge in a thrilling ride. As representatives of the Thomas Edison Foundation, we were thrilled to experience the “Fly Me to the Moon” exhibit at the New Jersey Hall of Fame Education and Learning Center within the American Dream complex. At the exhibit’s entrance stands a remarkable sight: Edison’s original Model T Ford that was given to him by Ford himself. This iconic car, more than a century old, gleams as if ready for yet another groundbreaking adventure.

Our journey begins with a visit to a corner of Edison’s West Orange laboratory, a recreation complete with an up-close look at an original phonograph and full size Edison cut out.

Next, we step into a one-of-a-kind virtual reality experience – The “Fly Me To The Moon” ride featuring New Jersey icons like Edison, Einstein, Buzz Aldrin and the Kelly Twins. While the ride starts in a familiar West Orange driveway, we soon find ourselves transported into a virtual reality experience where Edison’s vintage car transforms into a futuristic spacecraft. This vehicle, symbolic of Edison’s spirit of innovation, propels us on an exhilarating voyage through space, highlighting the Hall of Fame Inductees’ pivotal contributions to space exploration.

As the Model T lifts off, it whisks us through a series of stunning space travel scenes, getting the ride of a lifetime on the simulator chairs and a captivating show on the big screen illuminating the legacy of New Jersey. The ride seamlessly blends historical ingenuity with cutting-edge technology, echoing Edison’s own ethos of perpetual advancement. The “Fly Me to the Moon” exhibit vividly captures how Edison’s pioneering vision continues to inspire new generations to reach for the stars.

Stepping out of the transformed Model T, our senses buzzing from the cosmic ride, we dive into the vibrant expanse of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. This isn’t just a museum—it’s a celebration of the Garden State’s coolest achievements, living up to its motto, “Everybody Needs a Hero.” From singing karaoke with Frankie Valli to interviewing Danny DeVito on his most iconic roles, the museum blends science, music, and cinema into a fun, interactive journey. Here, Edison’s ingenuity meets Aldrin’s space dreams, all under one roof, inspiring everyone to find their inner hero.

Ready to experience the “Fly Me to the Moon” exhibit for yourself? The New Jersey Hall of Fame Education and Learning Center is NOW OPEN at the American Dream complex in East Rutherford, NJ. Situated in a premier entertainment and retail destination, it offers an engaging journey through New Jersey’s rich legacy in science, music, and cinema. For more details and opening dates, visit the Education and Learning Center’s website and plan your visit to this inspiring museum.

The 14th annual Thomas Edison Pitch Contest finals, brought to you by Edison Innovation Foundation, showcased the brilliance and creativity of young minds, including students from 8 different states and even from Malaysia. These students were selected from approximately 889 students from 114 schools across the country.

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