The Lemelson Foundation
Inventions change our world.

Invention is critical to the future we all want

U.S. Primary & Secondary Education

We believe creating new inventors to identify and solve the problems of both today and tomorrow is an economic and social imperative.

Invention education helps inspire young inventors, while developing the skillsets and mindsets in students that the education community, policy makers, and corporate leaders cite as crucial to the innovation economy.

Our Approach

We fund organizations that develop the tools, resources and evidence needed to create invention education opportunities for all youth and foster the next generation of inventors.

We also support professional development programs for educators to employ invention education curriculum both inside and outside the classroom.

Our partners are pioneering a dynamic, transdisciplinary approach that supports the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and builds the skills and attributes that are needed for the future economy and to meet the critical challenges of today and tomorrow.

Students who experience invention education:

  • Cultivate empathy and ability to identify and solve real-world problems.
  • Discover practical applications of STEM and design knowledge.
  • Learn critical mindsets such as resilience, persistence and a willingness to fail.
  • Strengthen creativity, problem-solving skills and confidence.
  • Learn the key principles of invention, such as problem identification, user-centered design skills, prototype creation and testing, and entrepreneurship.

The Lemelson Foundation is part of a growing community that advocates for the promise of invention education and supports programs to address gaps in innovation by income, race and gender.

Watch an example of Invention Education in Practice

Hear firsthand from teachers about the benefits of
Invention Education

Featured Grantee Profiles

Grantee Profiles

September 15, 2018

The Henry Ford-STEMIE: Supporting invention and entrepreneurship education for U.S. K-12 students
Grantee Profiles

January 8, 2024

LMIT InvenTeams®: Celebrating inventors and inspiring youth through hands-on, STEM-based invention
Grantee Profiles

October 15, 2018

WGBH Design Squad Global: Helping student inventors make an impact on the world through engineering

Learn More

Access invention education resources here.