Invent Now is pleased to be a partner alongside Akron Public Schools, The University of Akron, and the City of Akron on the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) School focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for middle grades 5–8. The school is located at 199 South Broadway in Akron, Ohio, and opened September 1, 2010. The NIHF School is currently operating with grades 5-7. Grade 8 will be added in 2011-12 to complete the middle school with grades 5-8. The School is being recognized nationally as a model for STEM education and was featured in the July 19, 2010 Newsweek cover story, "The Creativity Crisis."

Invent Now staff serve on committees supporting all aspects of the school. In addition, Invent Now received a $1.25 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to operate two programs in collaboration with the school:

• Visiting Inductee Program: National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees have been involved with the planning and evolution of the school since the project’s inception in 2003. The Visiting Inductee Program provides funding for Inductees to participate in problem-based learning with NIHF School students both on-site and through distance learning. In 2009-2010, Inductee Jim West kicked off the Visiting Inductee Program, working with students to solve a problem involving the acoustics in the new NIHF School building. West visited the students, meeting with every student in a small group setting, answering their questions about sound, and challenging them to think of additional ideas. West also addressed the students as a group, speaking about the process of invention and answering questions from the students about his life and work. NIHF School students were thrilled with the opportunity to meet with West, whom they had been studying for several weeks in advance. To read more about West’s work with the NIHF School, click here. Stay tuned for more information on plans for the 2010-2011 school year and the involvement of additional Inductees.

• Invent Now Museum and Store: Invent Now is pleased to feature the Invent Now Museum and Store located at the NIHF School in downtown Akron, 221 South Broadway Street. The Museum features 2,000 square feet of state of the art multimedia and exhibits as well as a store featuring innovative products and themed apparel. Exhibits change on an annual basis and celebrate invention. The Museum is free to the public through the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and is a resource for NIHF School students throughout the year.

Click here for more information on the Invent Now Museum.

We invite you to join Invent Now and presenting sponsors, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, in sponsoring the Museum and its exhibits. Click here for sponsorship information.

For more information on the NIHF School, click here.