Ashley Mengwasser
Emmy-Winning Host, Writer, and Executive Producer
5th Grader Designs a Robot That Filters Water
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
Why IP Education?
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE
Given IP’s continued importance to the economy and world around us, how can we ensure that the children of today will be prepared for the jobs of tomorrow? While current STEM education techniques continue to improve by incorporating hands-on activities and lessons in entrepreneurship, the lack of IP instruction across all parts of our educational system is a glaring oversight that must be addressed. It is not enough to simply teach students how to create, design and invent; they must also learn how to protect what they create ... whether it’s a song they wrote or a widget they invent.
The IPKnow™ Education Initiative was launched in November 2021 through a pilot program across Georgia. In partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF), Georgia Intellectual Property Alliance® (GIPA) provides invention education programming embedded with intellectual property (IP) concepts. Through a combination of educator professional learning workshops and curriculum with hands-on materials, educators are able to see the value of providing students with a rich experience in understanding IP.
The Girl Scout IP Patch is a natural synergy for GIPA’s efforts to increase education and awareness of invention and intellectual property, especially since Georgia is the home of Girl Scout Founder Juliette Gordon Low’s birthplace. GIPA programs provide hands-on experiences of how to think like an inventor and exposure to career options surrounding invention and intellectual property. Irina Fays, Client Engagement at Clarivate Analytics and GIPA Executive Board Member, leads GIPA efforts in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and other Georgia troops to provide opportunities for girls to earn their IP Patches.
The Georgia Patent Assistance for STEM Students (PASS) program was launched in 2019 and developed in conjunction with the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair (GSEF). The PASS program seeks to support young researchers in their pursuit of innovation by raising awareness of intellectual property protection and patenting resources.
The K-12 InVenture Prize program, launched in 2012, is modeled after the Georgia Tech InVenture Prize. The competition encourages elementary, middle school, and high school students to engage with invention and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts. GIPA partners with the program by providing winners with a patent search and, where appropriate, assistance with filing a patent application through the generous pro bono support of local intellectual property attorneys and law firms.
Connect With Us!
Are you interested in connecting with GIPA to learn about IP education in Georgia?
The IP Education & Awareness Pillar is committed to helping connect Georgia schools, teachers, parents, and communities with the resources needed to bring IP education to Georgia youth. We are always looking for opportunities to expand the K-12 IP Education Ecosystem.
Contact Elizabeth Lester or Craig Cupid for more information.
Do you want to learn more about how creators like artists, musicians, and inventors protect their creations?
Grades K-6
Howtoons: Instructional comics that teach kids how to build projects and toys using everyday household goods
PBS Kids DESIGNsquad: Interactive website where students can Watch videos about design and innovation, Design and build their own cool ideas, be Wowed by cool technology, and Play games to learn how stuff works!
“Bee” the Inventor Coloring Book: STEAM activity book that teaches kids (ages 6-8) about invention
US Patent and Trademark Office Kids Site: Fun activities, videos, and information about IP
Grades 6-12
US Patent and Trademark Office Teens Site: A page where innovation, excitement, and inventions collide!
National Geographic Lesson on IP: A lesson to understand the importance of IP in your daily life
Lemelson-MIT Inventor Handbook: This site provides a basic overview of intellectual property and concepts of invention.
PBS NewsHour Classroom’s “Invention Education” lesson series: Learn how to solve real-world problems, exploring inventions that do everything from battle invasive species to taking on climate change.
INTA Unreal Campaign: The Unreal Campaign is an awareness program of the International Trademark Association (INTA) which aims to educate young consumers (14- to 23-years-old) about the dangers of counterfeiting and the importance of trademarks through online activities and direct school engagement.
Educators
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Parents & Teachers Site: This site provides resources to help tap into the passion and creativity that all children have to learn about creation, invention, and intellectual property.
Intellectual property webinar for K-12 educators: The USPTO hosts monthly virtual professional development webinars for K-12 educators interested in integrating IP, innovation, and invention activities into their STEM/STEAM curriculum. Sessions are held on the last Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. ET.
K-12 IP education office hours: The USPTO hosts monthly virtual “office hours” where K-12 educators and learners may ask questions regarding IP, USPTO resources, and ideas for integrating IP concepts into various subject matter. Sessions are held the last Wednesday of every month from 3-4 p.m. ET.
National Inventors Hall of Fame Blog: The NIHF has a collection of articles and content for parents and educators to teach invention education to kids.
inventEd: Site includes a collection of content and curricula that is sortable by grade level, published by invention education program providers.
Copyright & Creativity: Site of an organization that provides age-appropriate, in-depth lessons that promote a positive approach to respecting creative work.
IPBasics.org: A fresh approach to learning about IP rights exist and who they benefit can be used by viewers of all ages and backgrounds.
Learn About Creators
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the people behind the books, music, movies, and inventions we use every day? Check out some of these great resources …
National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees: Learn about famous inventors that have changed the world.
Black Inventors Hall of Fame: Where the genius of African American innovation is immortalized.
Georgia Music Hall of Fame: Tells the story of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and has educational resources teaching about the history of music in Georgia.
Stories from the Hall: A Tribute to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame: A PBS tribute hosted by Jeff Foxworthy that tells the stories of several hall of fame inductees.
Looking for More Resources?
A curated list of IP Education resources is available at the USIPA IP Education Center!
