Students are transformed into inventors through InvenTeams, a program.
The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Grant Initiative, a 20-year-old program, continues to inspire high school students across the United States by providing grants to invent solutions addressing issues within their communities. This initiative fosters invention education and hands-on STEM learning, typically awarding around $7,500 to student teams for projects [1][3][4].
The program's core focus is on enabling students to immerse themselves in the inventive process, from concept to prototype, nurturing creativity, problem-solving skills, and collaboration. The culmination of the program is Eurekafest, an annual showcase event where student teams present their inventions, showcasing their innovative spirit and encouraging broader community engagement [4].
Each year, the InvenTeams program receives between 50 and 80 applications from student teams across the country. From these applications, 20 to 30 teams are selected for Excite Awards, which provide additional resources and support for their projects [2].
The students' inventions have ranged from a sensor device to help monitor foot health in diabetic patients, developed by a team from Garey High School in California in 2018, to a treadmill device and app to detect lameness in cows on dairy farms, created by a team of students on the autism spectrum in 2016 [5][6]. Some teams have even continued working on their inventions after the program, such as the team from Calistoga, who participated in the program in 2023 [7].
In addition to funding and mentorship, the program provides students with a variety of networking opportunities. During Eurekafest, students participate in meetings with community members they are inventing solutions for, as well as a series of networking events [8]. The presentations at Eurekafest are open to the public, allowing students to showcase their inventions and share their experiences [9].
The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams program was founded by Jerome Lemelson, who wanted to inspire young people to become inventors. The program is managed by the Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT, which runs several invention-related initiatives designed to promote innovation education [3][4].
To expand its reach, the program created a membership program called Partners in Invention Education, which covers the curriculum from kindergarten to the first two years of college [1]. This program aims to make STEM subjects relevant to students by making them the drivers of the learning and providing real-world applications.
Over the years, the InvenTeams program has made a significant impact, with high school InvenTeams being granted 19 U.S. patents since the program's start [10]. The program's success can also be seen in the increased sense of confidence and interest in STEM subjects that students often report following their InvenTeams experience [11].
In conclusion, the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Grant Initiative is a long-standing educational program that supports and encourages invention-based learning among U.S. high school students through funding, mentorship, and public presentations, substantially contributing to STEM education and innovation culture [1][3][4].
- The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Grant Initiative focuses on fostering invention education and hands-on STEM learning for high school students.
- The initiatives typically award around $7,500 to student teams for projects, immersing them in the inventive process.
- Each year, the program receives numerous applications and selects 20 to 30 teams for Excite Awards, providing further resources for their projects.
- Inventions from the program have ranged from health-monitoring devices to treadmill devices for detecting lameness in dairy cows, with some teams continuing to work on their inventions after the program.
- The program offers networking opportunities, such as meetings with community members and presentations at Eurekafest, which are open to the public.
- The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams program was founded by Jerome Lemelson to inspire young people to become inventors and is managed by the Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT.
- To expand its reach, the program has created a membership program called Partners in Invention Education, offering a curriculum from kindergarten to the first two years of college.
- The program has been granted 19 U.S. patents since its start and has reported regular increases in students' confidence and interest in STEM subjects.
- Overall, the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Grant Initiative contributes significantly to STEM education and the innovation culture in the United States.
