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90 Camp Invention and Club Invention Programs Nationwide Funded by Nordson Corporation Foundation Grant

NORTH CANTON, Ohio — March 12, 2019 — The Camp Invention® and Club Invention® programs, nationally recognized, nonprofit enrichment programs of the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF), today announced a $328,780 grant from the Nordson Corporation Foundation in Westlake, Ohio.

Because of the grant, 33 Camp Invention programs in 14 states and 57 Club Invention programs in 10 states will be funded in 2019. New Camp Invention locations funded by the 2019 grant include programs in Minneapolis; San Jose, California; Providence, Rhode Island; and Spokane, Washington. Camp Invention and Club Invention are NIHF programs in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

More than 2,000 underserved students will benefit from the Nordson Corporation Foundation grant. The foundation’s grants to NIHF education programs have increased from $25,000 in 2007 to the nearly $330,000 in 2019.

The Camp Invention program challenges children in Grades K-6 to find their “inner inventor” by learning the process of innovation. Camp Invention promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning; builds resourcefulness and problem-solving skills; and encourages entrepreneurship — in a fun and engaging environment.

For students entering Grades 1-6, Club Invention immerses children in adventures that encourage creative problem solving and enhance their understanding of essential STEM concepts in an after-school setting. It provides the benefits of Camp Invention year-round, so parents can feel good knowing that their children are actively learning from experienced educators who live and teach in the local community.

“The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a world-class organization that pays it forward through our educational programs, competitions and events,” said NIHF CEO Michael Oister. “Thanks to this significant grant from the Nordson Corporation Foundation, more than 2,000 underrepresented students nationwide will get the opportunity to attend our Camp Invention and Club Invention programs this year. Our mission is to provide more children-in-need the opportunity to experience our programs, and benefit from the problem-based learning and hands-on activities so we can boost their knowledge of STEM disciplines.”

“An important value in Nordson’s corporate philosophy is investing in the communities where we live and work,” said Cecilia Render, executive director of the Nordson Corporation Foundation. “We are proud to support the important work that Camp Invention and Club Invention provide, and we hope that through our contributions we can assist in leveraging other support for these programs’ efforts.”

About the Nordson Corporation Foundation

The Nordson Corporation Foundation is the successor to the Nordson Foundation, which was created in 1954 by Walter G. Nord, founder of Nordson Corporation. In 1988, the original foundation was reorganized to create the Nord Family Foundation and the Nordson Corporation Foundation. Since 1989, the Nordson Corporation Foundation has awarded tens of millions of dollars in grants focusing on education, arts and culture, civic affairs and human welfare. More information on applying for grants is available at nordson.com/givingback.

 

About the National Inventors Hall of Fame

The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) is the premier nonprofit organization in America dedicated to recognizing inventors and invention, promoting creativity, and advancing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Founded in 1973 in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, NIHF is committed to not only honoring the individuals whose inventions have made the world a better place, but to ensuring American ingenuity continues to thrive in the hands of coming generations through its national, hands-on educational programming and collegiate competitions focused on the exploration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate. For more information, visit invent.org. To nominate an inventor for Induction, visit invent.org/nominate.

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