Young Inventors' Program®

Overview

The Young Inventors' Program® is a positive approach to helping students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills by inviting them to invent solutions to everyday problems.

The invention process provides an opportunity for all students to participate and be successful. (See Program Components) All children can identify problems in their homes, schools or neighborhoods. Almost every day of their lives they will face at least one problem. Some examples of real-life problems, identified and solved by students, are: an unmade bed, a dog that eats the cat food, and a grandmother with a broken leg that must be elevated when she sits.

A unit on inventive thinking, which includes the production of an original invention, is limited only by the imagination of the teachers and students. You might ask, "with everything else I have to teach, why take the time for inventing?"

Research has shown that inventing will:

• Enhance self-image.
• Stimulate and foster creativity.
• Relate the scientific method to real life.
• Spark the inventive spirit in our culture.
• Develop the essential skills of logical thinking, creative problem solving, intellectual risk-taking, and communication.

Students will also:

• Solve actual problems.
• Develop higher-level thinking skills.
• Use creative and critical thinking skills.
• Use library and other research skills.
• Experience success and increased self-esteem.
• Learn to document the inventive-thinking process.
• Produce an original invention and receive recognition for participating in the invention process.

General Information

Participation in the Young Inventors' Program® Annual Celebration has grown steadily since 1987. Currently, there are over 5,000 students on the invention track in New Hampshire. Guidelines for the Annual Celebration are published on the Academy's website in January. General guidelines are found in the Meant To Invent!® Teachers' Guide created by New Hampshire educators in 1986.

Please call the Academy with questions at (603) 228-4530 or E-mail: .

Timeline

• Conduct a classroom or school invention program.
• Select invention(s) to represent each grade (K-8) in your school.
• Have each inventor complete the official student entry form which they will bring with them.
• School entries should be submitted by the due date. See Guidelines (published each January)
• Confirmation will be sent to participating schools.

Student Guidelines

Teachers should share the following iformation with the student winners who will be attending the Annual Celebration.

• Students should complete the Student Entry Form and bring it with them to the Annual Celebration.
• Students should do research using stores, catalogues, interviews or the Internet to ensure their inventions are unique.
• Students should be prepared to make an oral presentation and answer any questions the judges may have.

Judging Information

The judging process is an important component of the Annual Celebration. Three judges are assigned to each grade level to evaluate each invention and to ask pertinent questions of each inventor. During this time, other students in the room are invited to listen. Parents and friends are asked to leave during the judging process.

Inventions are judged on the following criteria: originality, written description/presentation, model/illustration, research performed and usefulness. After viewing all the inventions, the judges return to the judges' room and make final award decisions.