This year, PBS NewsHour Classroom is proud to welcome a new cohort of wonderful Invention Education Fellows. These teachers are excited about exploring what #InventEd can do for their students.
Invention Fellows will attend PDs, test lesson plans with their students and exchange ideas and experiences with one another. We can't wait to see what they come up with next!
Check out our new invention ed collection here and a list of lessons here.
What is Invention Education?
We're glad you asked!
Invention Education is project-based learning that allows young people to practice their natural problem-solving abilities. With Invention Ed, students learn to brainstorm and create unique solutions. They then share their inventions and get feedback to improve.
Students are natural inventors and invention gives them tools to express their empathy and creativity by creating solutions to real problems!
Interested in joining our fun network of teachers interested in invention and innovation or learning more about the fellowship program? Fellows meet virtually one-two times in the summer and then virtually about once a month during the school year. It is fun, filled with smart, friendly teachers, and you will love it! Email Vic at vpasquantonio@newshour.org and let us know a little about yourself (grades 5-12, any subject).
Meet the Fellows!
Valencia Abbott
High School Civic Literacy, American History and Economics & Personal Financial Literacy teacher from Reidsville, NC
School: Rockingham Early High School
Favorite teacher growing up: "Mrs. Townes my 5th Grade teacher, because she showed me so many possibilities. I also want to acknowledge all my teachers, particularly all the Black Teachers that I had: Mrs. Neal and Mrs. Price in 1st grade, Mrs. Jones in 4th Grade, Mrs. Townes in 5th grade, Mrs. Jefferies and Mrs. Blackwell in 8th Grade, and Ms. Lindsey and Mrs. Keesee in high school."
Favorite invention: "I am going to say the hot comb. I had never been asked this question, and this was the first thing that popped into my head and the why it is my favorite has more to do with the history and significance of Black female hair care and culture."
Why Invention Ed?: "Almost every teacher I know wants our students to think, and what can be more critical and creative than thinking of the invention process."
Amber Arizpe
8th-12th Grade Engineering and Computer Science teacher from Beaverton, OR
School: Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering (BASE)
Favorite teacher growing up: "I don't remember their name but they taught us how to use an Apple II computer when personal computers were barely a thing."
Favorite invention: Optical illusions
Why Invention Ed?: Quick steam lessons to get kids making stuff!
Niki Bullard
6th-8th Grade Science teacher from Jackson, TN
School: Jackson Academic STEAM Academy (JASA)
Favorite teacher growing up: "Mrs. Haltom (2nd Grade Teacher) She built true relationships with us and I knew she cared."
Favorite invention: "Planes, Trains and Automobiles ~ I LOVE to travel!"
Why Invention Ed?: "Students are naturally curious and I recommend invention education to foster independent learning. Concepts are permanently embedded when a student creates themselves. Confidence soars and society will be full of confident, hard working and capable adults."
E. Michael Chelsky
9th-12th Grade Media Arts and Government teacher from San Francisco, CA
School: Independence High School
Favorite teacher growing up: "Hard to pick just one"
Favorite invention: Television
Why Invention Ed?: "It’s a great way to make education relevant to students."
Tracy Cooper
9th-12th Social Studies teacher from Jackson, TN
School: North Side High School
Favorite teacher growing up: "Mrs. Douthard, my sophomore English teacher."
Favorite invention: The calendar
Why Invention Ed?: "It gives you a chance to help students learn to solve real world problems."
Dr. Terri T. Dove
7th-12th Grade Science and Health teacher from Bowie, MD
School: PGCPS Online Campus
Favorite teacher growing up: "Mr. Kachell, my 6th grade teacher, Trinity Christian School, Las Vegas, Nevada"
Favorite invention: "DVR (Digital Video Recorders): I've always loved TV. Growing up I missed some of the most iconic final episodes of my favorite sitcoms because of other activities. If I managed to record it on our family VCR, it was always at risk of being recorded over by my dad's sport event or mom's soap operas. As a busy educator and family member, having the ability to record my favorite shows, pause them (when interrupted frequently by my spouse) and fast forward past all the commercials/ads, has saved my marriage, my sanity and expanded my me time. As streaming takes over, I see it becoming obsolete, much like my beloved walkman. But for now, it still tops my list of all time favorite inventions."
Why Invention Ed?: "Invention education allows for real world application of content in every subject matter. Students are able to determine, investigate and collaborate around problems from the past, those issues happening right in their communities and predict future needs. Invention ed shows them that the solutions don't necessarily have to come from outside entities but they already have the tools to solve those problems. This is a mind shift that can reverberate for generations."
Ryan Hauck
10th-12th Grade teacher from Tulalip, WA
School: Glacier Peak High School (Snohomish, WA)
Favorite teacher growing up: Lynn Rowley
Favorite invention: The television
Why Invention Ed?: Invention education provides an excellent opportunity to cultivate 21st century skills in your classroom (critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, empathy, etc.). It is also an interdisciplinary, project-based approach that puts students at the center of their learning to address relevant local, national, and global issues."
Mary Lynn Hess
K-5 teacher from Sanford, FL
School: Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School
Favorite teacher growing up: Mr. Hargest
Favorite invention: Velcro
Why Invention Ed?: "Sounds like a challenge!"
Tricia Kearns
6th Grade Science teacher from Northbrook, IL
School: Maple School
Favorite teacher growing up: "My German Teacher: Herr L."
Favorite simple invention: The wheel
Favorite sophisticated invention: "My Tile key tag"
Why Invention Ed?: "Kids love building and engineering things. They stay engaged and their minds are open to learning, exploring and innovation when they are doing."
Christina Loyd
9th-12th Grade teacher from AR
School: Nemo Vista High School
Favorite teacher growing up: "My Agri teacher Mr. Romeo"
Why Invention Ed?: "We should always strive to learn new ideas and approaches to reach the needs of our students."
Seema Naik
7th-8th Grade Biology, IT and Robotics teacher from Coral Springs, FL
School: Coral Springs Middle School
Favorite teacher growing up: "Mr. Pandya, my 9th grade teacher in India."
Favorite invention: GPS!
Why Invention Ed?: "Invention education acts like a bridge making connections with project based classroom learning and the real world problems."
Carla Neely
7th-8th Grade Science and Computer Science teacher from Cleveland, OH
School: Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Favorite teacher growing up: Mr. Williams - 7th Grade Science Teacher
Favorite invention: The home security system
Why Invention Ed?: "Invention education teachers students about the importance of creating inventions that can help change the world."
Vilma Orduña
High school Physics teacher from Brownsville, TX
School: Porter Early College High School
Favorite teacher growing up: "Mr. Escobedo my high school calculus teacher."
Favorite invention: The erasable pen
Why Invention Ed?: "Invention education in the classroom positively impacts students by inspiring them to use their creativity, take risks, learn new things, and build critical thinking skills. It opens a new world of possibilities."
Scott Petri
Ethnic Studies, World History, and College Dual Enrollment teacher from Granada Hills, CA
School: John F Kennedy High School
Favorite teacher growing up: Mr. Jon Rice, English
Favorite invention: The remote control
Why Invention Ed?: "Show your students the movers and shakers that are changing our world."
Stacy Radecki
9th Grade World History and 11th Grade Economics teacher from City, West Branch, MI
School: Ogemaw Heights High School
Favorite teacher growing up: Ms. Loose
Favorite invention: Toilet paper :)
Why Invention Ed?: "Any one can be an inventor. I want my students to dream big, having them invent something can lead to great things."
Bob Sparks
9th-12th Grade English teacher from Jackson, TN
School: Jackson Central-Merry Early College High School
Favorite teacher growing up: "It's hard to pick just one—Mrs. Melissa Owen (AP English) and Mr. Jim Coley (Economics)."
Favorite invention: "Writing—with this invention, humanity could more easily record and transmit information and ideas for future generations."
Why Invention Ed?: "Invention education is essentially helping students develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are applicable in every subject area. In our complex world, we need to equip students with the knowledge and skills to confront a wide-variety of challenges. Embedding invention education, even within literacy-based classes like my own, will prepare our students for college, the workforce, and life."
Kevin Warfield
Pre-Engineering & Computer Science teacher from Lewisburg, WV
School: Greenbrier East High School
Favorite teacher growing up: Ronnie Hylton
Favorite invention: The electric guitar
Why Invention Ed?: "I know it sounds cliché, but invention education empowers students. It is the first step to producing the generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers."
Dr. Sequoyah Wharton
Broadcast Journalism, Media, and Visual Arts teacher from Selden, NY
School: Brentwood High School
Favorite teacher growing up: "As a proud educator, I genuinely value the role teachers play in shaping lives and fostering a love for learning. Looking back on my own student years, I didn't have just one specific favorite teacher who stood out in my memory. However, I can certainly acknowledge the positive impact that my art teachers and college arts teachers had on me.
My art teachers, in particular, stands out as someone who encouraged my creativity and provided a safe space for self-expression. Their dedication to fostering a love for the arts and nurturing each student's unique talents was truly inspiring. While I may not have a single standout favorite, I carry with me the collective influence of all the educators who contributed to my growth and development.
As I now stand on the other side of the classroom, I'm motivated by the experiences of both exceptional and ordinary teachers. Each one has contributed to my journey and reminds me of the profound role educators play in shaping the minds and hearts of students."
Favorite invention: "As a proud educator, choosing a single all-time favorite invention is quite a challenge, considering the vast array of groundbreaking creations that have shaped our world. However, if I had to choose, I would say that the printing press holds a special place in my heart. Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the movable-type printing press in the 15th century revolutionized the spread of knowledge and played a pivotal role in advancing education, communication, and the dissemination of ideas.
The printing press democratized access to information, making books and knowledge more accessible to a wider audience. It fueled the Renaissance, empowered the Reformation, and laid the foundation for the modern information age. The ability to replicate texts efficiently and accurately paved the way for the rapid exchange of ideas, shaping the course of history and influencing countless fields."
Why Invention Ed?: "I wholeheartedly recommend teachers to explore invention education for its transformative impact on both students and educators. Invention education fosters a dynamic learning environment where students engage in hands-on, creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. By immersing students in the process of inventing, designing, and prototyping, invention education nurtures skills that are essential for their future success in a rapidly changing world.
Through invention education, teachers can ignite students' curiosity, enabling them to tackle real-world challenges and develop innovative solutions. This approach not only deepens subject matter understanding but also empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey, fostering a sense of agency and confidence in their abilities."
Melanie Whiteside
9th-12th Grade Biology teacher from Jackson, TN
School: Madison Academic High School
Favorite teacher growing up: "My favorite teacher was my Chemistry teacher, Mr. Buddy White. He made Chemistry fun by making it hands-on."
Favorite invention: Air conditioning and the automobile
Why Invention Ed?: "I would recommend every teacher to check out invention education simply for the content that is connected to the inventions. I have gained so much knowledge on the latest inventions by reading the PBS Newshour articles on the latest discoveries. Discovering new inventions helps you and your students develop an inventor's mind."
Laura Winnick
4th-9th Grade Digital Literacy teacher from Brooklyn, NY
School: Saint Ann's School
Favorite teacher growing up: "Ms. Canalori taught 11th grade American Studies and pushed me to think about literature through new lenses and with deep empathy. I'm forever grateful for how she challenged me to be a more heartfelt and analytic reader."
Favorite invention: "The bicycle - I'm amazed by its simplicity. I bike every day and it makes me happy every time I do!"
Why Invention Ed?: "Invention education shifts students' mindsets so they are the ones driving their learning. When education is project-based, hands-on, led by inquiry, and shared with real world audiences, students become more invested in the process."
Cindy Wyatt
6th-7th Grade Advanced Science teacher from Jackson, TN
School: Northeast Middle School (Academic Academy)
Favorite teacher growing up: Mrs. Nelda Webb
Favorite invention: Rube Goldberg Machines
Why Invention Ed?: "Invention Education seems like a great way to encourage critical thinking."
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