Invention Project Offers Empowering STEM Activities for Middle School Students
Bring out your child’s inner inventor
With Invention Project®, students can learn the business of innovation, from prototype to product launch. Through high-energy, hands-on activities, our program empowers each participant to turn ideas into inventions, and find out how to bring those inventions to market.
Each day brings new, inspiring activities to spark imaginations.
The business deals may be simulated, but the lessons are all real.
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Watch our program in action
See a typical day at Invention Project

9 a.m. — Hangout Space
Students sign in as a day of inventing begins. At Hangout Space (the room where they’ll start and finish each day), students will join up with friends and engage in one of several targeted activities to get warmed up for brainstorming, designing and teamwork.

9:15 a.m. — Session 1: Brainstorm and Build
Students will hear their first challenge of the day (like inventing a new way to use solar power) and brainstorm in teams to come up with as many solutions as possible. Once each team decides on an idea, they’ll get to work building their inventions using special materials that are provided, as well as recyclables from the Inventor Supply Room.

10:45 a.m. — M.O.V.E.
Next, it’s time for our participants to get moving and play invention-themed games. They’ll use their minds, hands, feet and a little imagination to race across the “ocean” by stepping on “boats,” dodge water balloons and strategize tactics with teammates.

11:45 a.m. — Lunch
All great inventors need to take a break and refuel.

12:15 p.m. — Session 2: Design and Sell
Teams jump back into invention mode, but this time, they’ll receive a totally new challenge, such as designing the next all-star athletic shoe. The sky is the limit, but teams will need to think fast and build fast. They’ll also need to figure out how to take their inventions to the next level using marketing and entrepreneurship skills.

1:45 p.m. — Hangout Space
The day winds down back in Hangout Space where students can sign out — though they may not want to leave.
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The following sponsors help make Invention Project possible:
MiSTEM Advisory Council Grant Sec. 99s(3) of the State School Aid Act

The Amos E. Joel Young Inventors Endowment

The Al and Helen Free Foundation

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