Invention is critical to the future we all want
We believe that invention should be part of every child’s education.
Invention education cultivates the inventors of tomorrow, inspires students to pursue STEM careers, and develops the skills and resilience critical for succeeding in the innovation economy.
Our Approach
The Foundation supports invention education, a multidisciplinary, dynamic, and engaging approach to learning that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
By integrating invention education into various subjects and curricular activities, educators can provide students with meaningful learning experiences aligned with academic standards and promote interdisciplinary connections. We fund invention education programs across the United States.
Strategic Focus
We are strengthening invention ecosystems in the U.S. to support pathways for inventors and invention to take ideas to impact.
U.S. Primary & Secondary Education
We support opportunities for children to experience invention education, with a focus on reaching students from low-income communities and groups under-represented in STEM. We work with key stakeholders – including educators and administrators – to build communities of practice that expand the reach and impact of invention education.
U.S. Higher Education
We nurture cultures of invention and entrepreneurship in institutions of higher education to prepare students to thrive in the future workforce. We provide support for student-led, invention-based projects that will become the high-impact, environmentally-responsible businesses of the future.
Signature Initiatives
In 2020, The Lemelson Foundation launched two signature initiatives focused on recognizing and celebrating invention education and cultivating a sustainable mindset in the next generation of engineers. These signature initiatives enhance our ability to have impact across our strategic grantmaking priorities.
The InventEd network is a coalition of K-12 educators, nonprofit leaders, researchers, government agencies, funders, and others who are building and supporting the field of Invention Education.
Engineering for One Planet (EOP) supports educational transformation to equip all engineers with the skills, knowledge and understanding to protect and improve our planet and our lives.
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Invention Education
Researching Invention Education
Released at InventEd 2019, Researching Invention Education extends the work published in the April 2019 issue of Technology and Innovation Journal focused on the structure, execution and results of local and national invention education programs from primary school through higher education. Researching Invention Education consolidates the current knowledge base that informs the current work.
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Invention Education
A Framework For Invention Education
The Invention Education Framework promotes consistency and rigor in the field by identifying the principles and characteristics of both formal and informal best-in-class K-12 Invention Education learning experiences. More than 100 community stakeholders – including in- and out-of-school time educators, business leaders, education researchers, nonprofits, policy makers, inventors and representatives of the philanthropic community.
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Invention Education
InventionEducation.org
This site produced by The Lemelson Foundation and partners provides resources for educators, administrators and other stakeholders about Invention Education in the U.S.
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Invention Education
Who Becomes an Inventor in America?
This comprehensive 2017 analysis shows that exposure to innovation during childhood has a significant causal effect on a child’s propensity to become an inventor.
Invention Education Grantees
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Library Foundation of Los Angeles
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The Smithsonian Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
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Invent Oregon
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Oregon MESA
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LMIT InvenTeams®
