Impact Spotlights

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  • This Georgia Classroom Runs on Invention Education

    This Georgia Classroom Runs on Invention Education

    At Smyrna Elementary School near Atlanta, prizewinning student inventor Audrey Cristelli learned from educator Lisa Rogers how to think outside the box. Audrey Cristelli was just 10 years old when she had the idea — what if there was a gamified sustainability app to help people who want to get more involved with litter cleanup?…

  • Meet the Woman Who is Transforming Early Breast Cancer Detection in India

    Meet the Woman Who is Transforming Early Breast Cancer Detection in India

    Through her novel thermal imaging device, Indian entrepreneur Geetha Manjunath is making breast cancer screening more accessible to more women.

  • This Former Rugby Player is Now a Game-Changing Inventor

    This Former Rugby Player is Now a Game-Changing Inventor

    Personal experience drove Jessie Garcia to create her novel head impact indicator. Identify a problem, then work to solve it. That’s the basic formula for invention, and that’s exactly how Jessie Garcia came to create the Tozuda Head Impact Indicator, a tiny tool that attaches to a helmet and signals to its wearer when a…

  • The Power of Invention Education: A STEM Policy Expert Shares Her Perspective

    The Power of Invention Education: A STEM Policy Expert Shares Her Perspective

    Engaging. Motivational. Confidence-building. These are just some of the words advocates use to describe the benefits of Invention Education. A powerful method of instruction, Invention Education gives teachers a hands-on format for challenging their students in a way that not only builds problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking skills but is also incredibly rewarding. Behind the…

  • Fighting Global Infant Mortality Through Hypothermia Detection

    Fighting Global Infant Mortality Through Hypothermia Detection

    Biomechanical engineer Ratul Narain’s monitoring devices help detect hypothermia and other illnesses in underweight newborns. Every year, 20 million clinically underweight babies are born worldwide. Of these, eight million are born in India, where many parents don’t have easy access to neonatal care resources. Yet low birth weight — generally defined as less than five…

  • It’s Not Always Easy Being Green, But It Should Be

    It’s Not Always Easy Being Green, But It Should Be

    A pioneer in the field of green chemistry, John Warner talks about the successes and challenges in creating sustainable change. John Warner is, to put it mildly, passionate about his work. He is a prolific inventor holding more than 300 patents, as well as an educator and entrepreneur. He is most passionate when talking about…

  • The Surge in Climate Action Requires a Surge in Green Talent, but How on Earth to Fill the Gap?

    The Surge in Climate Action Requires a Surge in Green Talent, but How on Earth to Fill the Gap?

    Creating a new generation of engineers skilled in sustainability is an investment in the health of people and the planet. By Cindy P. Cooper, Senior Program Officer, The Lemelson Foundation Ambitious climate commitments and sustainability goals are driving a massive trend in the growth of green jobs. As governments and companies across the globe set…

  • 2022 Inventor’s Day Roundup: Faces of Invention

    2022 Inventor’s Day Roundup: Faces of Invention

    As we confront complex issues like climate change, sustainable energy, and equitable access to food and healthcare, one throughline is constant: progress and innovation are inextricably linked. In 1992, prolific inventor Jerry Lemelson and his wife Dolly founded The Lemelson Foundation to support  invention that improves lives and strengthens economies. Since then, the Foundation has…

  • Seven Lessons from a First-time Inventor-Entrepreneur

    Seven Lessons from a First-time Inventor-Entrepreneur

    Tricia Compas-Markman’s journey from engineering to founding a startup for safe drinking water brings valuable takeaways for innovators. I believe that invention can help solve some of our most pressing challenges and improve living conditions for communities across the globe. In particular, disaster relief is an area where innovation can save lives, especially as climate…

  • From Plastic Surgeon-in-Training to Inventor: How a Family Tragedy Led One Latina to Improve Lung Disease Diagnosis for the World

    From Plastic Surgeon-in-Training to Inventor: How a Family Tragedy Led One Latina to Improve Lung Disease Diagnosis for the World

    Maria Artunduaga is the CEO and founder of Samay, a successful startup aimed at providing low-cost, at-home diagnostics for dangerous respiratory conditions. At age 34, Maria Artunduaga took a leap of faith. Ambitious and focused, she was studying plastic surgery — a highly competitive specialty — at University of Chicago Medicine, on track to become…

  • As Earth Heats Up, This Inventor is Focused on Keeping Cool

    As Earth Heats Up, This Inventor is Focused on Keeping Cool

    As the climate heats up throughout much of the globe, more and more people are dependent on air conditioning to live comfortably. But the very technology that helps them stay cool is contributing to the rising temperatures it’s trying to combat. MIT lecturer and engineer Sorin Grama is focused on trying to break that cycle,…

  • How One High School Teacher and an Invention Project Made All the Difference

    How One High School Teacher and an Invention Project Made All the Difference

    Now a satellite orbital analyst, Ford Grundberg used to intentionally blow off his schoolwork. Then an invention education experience changed his life trajectory. Ford Grundberg was a sophomore in high school in Natick, Massachusetts, when he met Doug Scott. It was during a study hall, and Mr. Scott was the teacher overseeing the students. “At…