Middle school inventor Jeanelle Dao with her prototype of a pattern-sensing doormat to allow people with hand disabilities to unlock doors with a tap of the foot. (Courtesy of Society for Science) Rethinking Education for a World Fueled by Creativity and Innovation By Rob Schneider, Executive Director of The Lemelson Foundation and David Coronado, Senior Program Officer Fresh off this year’s InventEd Convening, we’re reminded of the importance and promise of invention education. The 2024 convening brought together a vibrant community of educators, administrators, researchers, government agenci ..read more

Nurturing innovation through empowering collegiate inventors and entrepreneurs in Oregon  In the realm of innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education, Invent Oregon has the distinction of being Oregon’s only college-level prototyping program. The annual competition provides the necessary grants and guidance to transform student ideas into tangible solutions and products that address today’s most pressing challenges. At the heart of Invent Oregon lies a profound belief in the potential of students to make a difference. The program fosters a supportive environment for students to ex ..read more

Nicolette Buonora (left) and Lauren Strechay (right) in the Hopkinton High School shop. How two high school inventors created a flashlight to help light the way for their community’s first responders “Solve a problem for the local fire or police department.” That was the only instruction given for the opening project in Doug Scott’s high school engineering class in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. He uses an invention education approach to teaching STEM, which is rooted in project-based learning and the methods inventors use to identify and solve problems.  His lessons are student-led, open-ende ..read more

Through the Engineering for One Planet (EOP) initiative, The Lemelson Foundation supports transformational change for the teaching of engineering across higher education. EOP works with a diverse community of people from education, industry, nonprofit, and government sectors dedicated to ensuring all future engineers learn the fundamental skills and principles of social and environmental sustainability. Higher education institutions across the U.S. have been igniting curricular change by integrating key social and environmental sustainability learning outcomes and related professional skills f ..read more

By Cindy Cooper, Senior Program Officer, The Lemelson Foundation World Engineering Day prompts crucial questions: Can the very ingenuity that defines engineering — the force that builds our world’s cities and puts a world of knowledge in our hands — help pave the path towards a truly sustainable future? Can it become an instrument not just for technological progress, but also for the thriving of our planet and its inhabitants? Can engineering help humanity prosper as part of nature, not apart from nature? What role can engineering play in this paradigm shift? While critical to supporting huma ..read more

From sustainability to health to entertainment, these inventors are pushing boundaries and improving lives and livelihoods The lessons of Black ingenuity throughout our history have a lot to teach us about tackling the problems we see in the present. “Today, there are significant opportunities to combat climate, social, health, and economic injustices while actively shaping the future we envision,” says Kory Murphy [Link to Kory Message], a Program Officer at The Lemelson Foundation for Invention and Entrepreneurship. “In these times, the need to recognize and embrace Black ingenuity is possi ..read more

By Kory Murphy, Program Officer, The Lemelson Foundation Each February brings me a deeper appreciation for Black History Month. Yet, alongside this admiration, I can’t help but grapple with mixed feelings. We dedicate a mere 28 days to honoring the remarkable achievements of Black individuals in American history. Despite the community events and workplace discussions, Black History Month often feels like a mere token gesture, akin to a game show consolation prize. It’s in February when discussions about the history of Black people in America, including the painful legacy of slavery, seem mome ..read more

Inventors and startups are increasingly focusing on innovation that protects the planet. The challenges to our environment and to the health of our ecosystems are many. This National Inventors’ Day, we’re showcasing the inventors and entrepreneurs — both young and established — who are devising novel and sustainable solutions to the problems they see in the world. From repurposing plastic waste to helping mitigate the dangers brought on by the climate crisis, these inventors and innovators are also creating products and companies that benefit our economies and our communities. Denise Gray A ..read more

A message from Rob Schneider, Executive Director, The Lemelson Foundation National Inventors’ Day, observed annually on February 11th, serves as a reminder of the transformative power of human ingenuity. It’s a day to recognize and celebrate the individuals who dare to challenge the status quo, who dare to dream of a better tomorrow, and who tirelessly toil to make it a reality. Yet beyond the celebratory fanfare, National Inventors’ Day compels us to confront a crucial question: Are we doing enough to foster and nurture the inventive spirit, particularly among independent inventors who often ..read more

This approach to STEM learning ignites creativity, instills lifelong skills, and fuels the innovation economy. How do we ensure that school is not a limiting factor for creativity and innovation, but instead instills an inventive mindset in our students? Our answer is Invention Education. This op-ed in Invention Notebook — authored by Elizabeth Stock and Michela Sottura of Oregon MESA and Erin Tochen of the InventEd Network — explores how teaching the ways inventors find and solve problems can open the world of STEM to all young people. Read their thought piece to learn about the example of Or ..read more