The Young Inventors’ Program® is a K-12 project-based learning curriculum. Through hands-on learning, research, and testing, students explore STEM principles and develop 21st Century skills in decision making, design thinking, and communications.
A program of the University of New Hampshire's Leitzel Center, the Young Inventors’ Program (YIP) captures the spirit of youth innovation first sparked by founder and inventor Dr. Robert Rines. Now 40 years later, we are enriching a third generation of inventors in New Hampshire, nothern Massachusetts and most recently Vermont, with plans to grow throughout Northern New England.
Centered on Students and Educators
We believe that students can and will challenge themselves given the opportunity to invent a product or process that solves a problem in their everyday lives. YIP staff help educators, both in and out of school, apply our curriculum and tools to guide students through the invention process from developing an idea to prototyping to presenting their designs and research.
With distinct curricular units, the program is flexible for all grade levels and can be started anytime in classrooms, school clubs, after school programs, homeschools, libraries, and camps. YIP students who do not have access to a program may invent independently or start their own invention clubs to participate. Schools/programs host a local invention fair to qualify students for the Northern New England Regional Invention Convention held each spring. There, we select students to represent the region at the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals and the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest World Championships.
Ready to start inventing?
Teachers, Leaders & Mentors
The Young Inventors’ Program can be implemented in any setting where learning happens – in schools, out of school, clubs, libraries, community programs, and at home. Bring invention to your students.
