About InventEd
Launched and supported by The Lemelson Foundation, InventEd is the national network advancing invention education so that every young person has the opportunity to develop the mindset and skills to invent, solve meaningful problems, and shape the future.
Why InventEd exists
Building on the momentum of the first national invention education gathering in 2014, The Lemelson Foundation recognized a ready opportunity to bring people together to share promising practices, strengthen relationships, and accelerate learning across this emerging field. Launched in 2017, InventEd connects educators, nonprofit organizations, researchers, industry leaders, and funders committed to expanding invention education.
Today, InventEd engages more than a 1,000 individuals representing over 100 organizations who are learning about and doing invention education, and collaborating year-round to expand access to high-quality invention education experiences.
Frequently Asked Question
What is invention education?
Invention education is a student-centered educational approach through which learners identify real-world problems and draw upon a range of disciplines to design, prototype, test and refine inventive solutions that create meaningful value for their communities.
What is InventEd?
InventEd is a field-building initiative working to advance invention education in learning environments — a mission carried forward by our growing network of educators, nonprofits, researchers and other advocates.
We convene nationally and regionally, share knowledge, advance research, and support collaboration.
Who is InventEd for?
InventEd serves educators, schools, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, researchers, foundations, businesses, policymakers, and anyone interested in expanding access to invention education.
What does InventEd do?
InventEd advances the field by:
- Convening stakeholders through national and regional events
- Building connections across organizations
- Sharing research, tools, and promising practices
- Supporting collaboration around shared priorities
- Elevating the impact of invention education nationally
Is InventEd a grantmaker?
No. InventEd is an initiative of The Lemelson Foundation and focuses on building the invention education field through collaboration, research, and community engagement.
How can I get involved?
Individuals and organizations can participate by joining the community, attending events, sharing resources, contributing research, partnering on initiatives, signing up for the newsletter and helping advance the shared vision for invention education.
What is the relationship between InventEd and The Lemelson Foundation?
The Lemelson Foundation is a private philanthropic organization whose mission is to improve lives through invention. InventEd is an initiative of The Lemelson Foundation focused on building and supporting the field of invention education.
Our Team
Erin Tochen
Director
Erin leads strategy, ecosystem development, community and stakeholder engagement for InventEd.
Lisa Regalla
Community Engagement Manager and Event Producer
Lisa manages development of the National InventEd Convening, Regional Summits, and other field building activities.
Erin Tochen
Director
Erin leads strategy, ecosystem development, community and stakeholder engagement for InventEd.
Lisa Regalla
Community Engagement Manager and Event Producer
Lisa manages development of the National InventEd Convening, Regional Summits, and other field building activities.
Advisory Council
InventEd's Advisory Council is composed of leaders from education, nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and research who provide strategic guidance and help shape the future of the network.
Jeff Brodie
Chief Content and Engagement Officer, South Carolina State Museum
Jayme Cellitioci
Senior Director of Education, National Inventors Hall of Fame
Jax Chaudry
Executive Director, Project Invent
David Coronado
Director of Invention Education, The Lemelson Foundation
Lucie Howell
University of Michigan’s Museum of Natural History
Tom Jenkins
Director of Career Connected Learning & Workforce, Montgomery County Education Service Center
Sharon Klotz
Former Executive Director, Design for America
Steph Santoso
Co-Founder & CEO, Maker USA
[The InventEd Network] helped us to find a community that’s … reimagining what learning can look like in a very intuitive and impactful way for kids."
—Cara Lesser, Founder and CEO, KID Museum