NIHF School Receives
National Attention
Invent Now and its partners are pleased to see the National Inventors Hall of Fame School...Center for STEM Learning featured in the cover story of Newsweek magazine’s July 19 issue, “The Creativity Crisis.”
The article examines why American creativity scores are falling, what went wrong, and how we can fix it. In addition to exploring the new NIHF School’s innovative approach to teaching/learning, “The Creativity Crisis” discusses National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee Jim West’s involvement with the NIHF School. Students were challenged with reducing the noise in the school’s library, and worked with West to explore the problem and breadth of potential solutions:
“Along the way, kids demonstrated the very definition of creativity: alternating between divergent and convergent thinking, they arrived at original and useful ideas.”
To read more, click here.
The Amos E. Joel Young Inventors Endowment Established
Invent Now is honored to announce a generous gift from Andrea and Stephanie Joel to establish The Amos E. Joel Young Inventors Endowment, which will provide scholarships for underserved children to attend Camp Invention. The endowed fund is in memory of their father and 2008 Inductee Amos E. Joel, inventor of the switching concept for cellular phones, which allows cell phone use to be practical and convenient.
“We always knew that we would be the keeper of Dad’s legacy,” said Andrea Joel, “and we felt very strongly that the best way to honor him was by creating scholarships that would nurture future inventors.” Stephanie Joel added, “Dad loved the exuberance of youth and their inquisitive minds. The Amos E. Joel Young Inventors Endowment provides Camp Invention with the means to support and encourage young inventors, giving them the opportunities to develop their own creative imaginations.”
The Invent Now endowment funds are:
- Children’s Education Fund – providing programmatic outreach to children K-12, including the Camp Invention summer program and the Club Invention afterschool program
- Collegiate Fund – engaging undergraduate and graduate college students through programs like the Collegiate Inventors Competition
- Inductee Fund – supporting the National Inventors Hall of Fame’s annual selection process, Induction Ceremony, and Inductee outreach programs
For more information on the Invent Now Endowment, please visit click here. If you would like to make a gift in any amount in support of one of these funds or The Amos E. Joel Young Inventors Endowment Fund, please contact Hannah Paulin at 330.849.6874 or hpaulin@invent.org.
Amy Smith, CIC Alumnus, Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
Amy Smith was recently recognized by Time magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people. Her invention of the Amtek Phase-Change Incubator for Use in Areas without Electricity was awarded a top prize at the 1999 Collegiate Inventors Competition while she was a student at MIT. To read more about Amy, click here.
2010 Collegiate Inventors Competition Underway
The 2010 Collegiate Inventors Competition entries are in! Representing students from 38 universities from across the United States and Canada, from The University of Arizona to Webster University, this year’s entries include inventions in categories such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials science, hydropower, aerospace, and electronics, among others.
The inventions are being judged by experts from the National Science Foundation, the State Department, and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as private industry and academia.
The selected pool of finalists in both the Undergraduate and Graduate categories will be invited to Washington, DC in October to present their inventions to a final judging panel comprised of National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees and top scientists from the Competition’s sponsors – Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Fund) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The winners of the Competition’s prizes, including a $15,000 Graduate Prize and a $10,000 Undergraduate Prize, will be unveiled during a special awards ceremony and press conference at the National Press Club on Wednesday, October 27.
Camp Invention Reaches 66,000 Kids
“I understand the value of Camp Invention after a visit last summer to a Saginaw program site. I believe the children gain lasting value from the weeklong experience and come away energized and inspired about science and problem solving.”
-
Kimberly Houston-Philpot, President,
The Dow Corning Foundation and Camp Invention sponsor
Invent Now’s STEM-based Camp Invention program was, once again, a great success! This summer’s new curricula introduced children to the concepts of alternative energy, math without numbers, entrepreneurialism, and global awareness. Over 66,000 children from diverse backgrounds experienced the joy of learning at over 1,000 nationwide sites through fun, hands-on activities at the Camp Invention program this summer.
A growing number of Title I school districts provided the Camp Invention experience to underserved children in their communities this year. We’ve found that children’s innate sense of curiosity affords the same program success, regardless of demographic or economic factors, and we are excited to provide this great program to children everywhere.
For information on Camp Invention sites in your area or how to bring the program to your school, visit www.campinvention.org.
New Exhibit Opens at Hall of Fame
and Museum
Inventive Eats: Incredible Food Innovations
Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille at the
opening ceremonies of the exhibit.
The June 8 opening celebration of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Museum’s newest exhibit in Alexandria, VA included the Mayor, the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, lots of kids, potato chips, hot dogs, and Mr. Peanut®.
Inventive Eats features some of the most remarkable innovations in the food chain, including patented breakthroughs from plows to pasteurization. In addition, the exhibit highlights the importance of patents to the way we grow, harvest, process, cook, and store the food we eat.
“This is a great exhibit and one that everyone in the entire family will enjoy as they learn more about the incredible innovations that have made the food we eat safer, healthier, easier to prepare, and more economical,” stated David Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Kappos was joined by Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille at the exhibit’s opening ceremony.
The exhibit will be open for the next year in the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Museum’s new home at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. To read more about the exhibit, click here for the Washington Post story.
Invent Now Awarded $100,000 Motorola Foundation Grant for Camp Invention
Invent Now is pleased to announce it has received a $100,000 grant as part of the Innovation Generation grant program from the Motorola Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Inc. Through the grant, Invent Now provided 400 Camp Invention scholarships to underserved children in Chicago, San Diego, Philadelphia, Long Island, and Florida.
Since 2005, the Motorola Foundation’s signature Innovation Generation program seeks to boost American students’ engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The program provides $7.5 million to K-12 programs across the U.S., including Camp Invention, to support hands-on, innovative afterschool programs, science and math clubs, teacher training, and mentoring programs.
“Engaging youth in STEM fields will be crucial to driving future innovation and keeping America competitive in a global economy,” said Eileen Sweeney, director of the Motorola Foundation. “With the help of these grants, Invent Now and Motorola can work together to ensure we are adequately building a diverse pipeline of critical thinkers and addressing the most pressing needs around education.”
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Thank you to the following sponsors who have recently confirmed financial and in-kind support for Camp Invention, the Annual Fund, and the Capital Fund:
Akron Tomorrow
Stanley Apple, C.P.A.
Rob Briggs
Bunzl Distribution Midcentral, Inc.
Anne H. Chasser
Corning Incorporated
Raj Davé
Stephen P. Fox
IBM
James E. Malackowski
Rajive Mathur
Ohio STEM Committee
SAP America, Inc.
SPC Realty Co., LLC
Gary M. Sterling
Timken Foundation of Canton
Unlimited Ink
Bryan and Royce Warrick
Jon Wood
For a complete list of sponsors please visit our sponsor page.
To make an online donation please visit our donate page.
Inductee News
Leroy Hood was chosen by the Foundation for the Future as the 2010 recipient of the Kistler Prize. Inducted in 2007 for the DNA gene sequencer and other automated biotechnical instruments, Hood has revolutionized biomedical research. He is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, a research institute dedicated to analyzing biological complexity and understanding how biological systems function. The Kistler Prize has been awarded annually since 2000 to honor work that increases knowledge and understanding of the relationship between the human genome and society. Hood will receive the $100,000 prize at a September ceremony.
Alfred and Helen Free developed Clinistix in 1956, the first dip-and-read diagnostic test for monitoring glucose in urine. This past May, the accomplishment was honored by the American Chemical Society (ACS) through designation as a National Historic Chemical Landmark. A ceremony was held in Elkhart, IN where the husband-and-wife team conducted their work at Miles Laboratories and Bayer. Their work allowed diabetics the freedom to monitor their glucose levels at home and led to additional dip-and-read tests, which greatly helped in the detection of disease and in improving quality of life. Al Free died in May 2000, and the couple was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame later that year.
In Memory
Inductee Louis Moyroud (1914-2010) worked with René Higonnet to develop the first practical phototypesetting machine, revolutionizing the printing process. Previously, printing involved setting metal type. With Moyroud and Higonnet’s machine, metal type was replaced with a photographic image. Phototypesetting benefited the printing industry by greatly reducing the size, cost, and complexity of the equipment while also increasing the speed of printing. Until the digital era, phototypesetting was the industry standard. Inducted in 1985, Moyroud was born in France and began his work there, demonstrating his device with Higonnet in 1946. Soon after, he moved to the United States; he was living in Florida at the time of his death and is survived by three sons.
Inductee Robert Gundlach (1926-2010) was one of the first research scientists hired by the Haloid Company, now known as the Xerox Corporation. His work made modern photocopying more practical, flexible, and affordable. During his first year of research, Gundlach created three patentable inventions, and he would go on to acquire over 150 more. As xerography advanced, he invented ways to produce color copies and use digital technology. Inducted in 2005, Gundlach initially worked with NIHF Inductee and xerography pioneer Chester Carlson upon his arrival at Haloid. In addition to his prolific career with Xerox, he had many other interests and held patents for a snow-making machine, a water-based heat pump, and a backpack. Living in the Rochester, NY area at the time of his death, Gundlach is survived by his wife Audrey and three sons.
Board of Directors Member Solicitation
Invent Now, Inc. is looking for individuals who share our passion for engaging and encouraging the next generation of inventors to give back to the community by serving on the Invent Now Board of Directors. Ideal candidates will be committed to offering their time, expertise, and philanthropic skills towards building awareness of Invent Now’s national programs that recognize inventors and invention, promote creativity, and advance the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Now more than ever, there is critical need to support initiatives that promote creativity and innovation in our society. Board members will be engaged in helping students foster their inherent creative talents thru participation in hands-on inquiry based programming, supporting and recognizing the Hall of Fame Inductees as role models and heroes, and the opportunity to work with peers who are equally committed to equipping future generations with the skills needed to be a successful part of an innovative and productive workforce.
If you are interested in serving on the Invent Now Board of Directors, please complete an application. The Invent Now Board of Directors Selection Committee is accepting applications for ten director positions for staggered terms beginning in FY 2011. Individuals seeking additional information should direct inquiries to Heather George at hgeorge@invent.org. |
