YIP Curricula
The Young Inventors Program provides K-12 educators with with a flexible, hands-on framework guided by the invention process and curricula is based on evolving standards and best practices in educational models from across the country.
YIP's suite of curricula offers specific units for different grade levels to facilitate inventive thinking and the creation of an invention project for all grade levels, K-12. Each unit appropriately engages and challenges students and precisely aligns with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), 21st century skill development and core educational competencies. Units include tools to support educators who teach in the classroom or in out-of-school settings, in-person or virtually, and all curricula culminate in a final project presentation at a showcase or invention fair. Educators are encouraged to adjust activities to meet specific needs, but lessons are full developed and ready to go if you need inspiration.
- Lesson Plans with recommendations for virtual learning
- Hands-on and off-screen activities to engage students and apply content in real world contexts
- Resources to complement lesson plans
- Videos to introduce topics and enrich learning
- YIP Inventors’ Journal- Available for YIPLit, YIP and YIP RGMs. Printed copies provided in YIP Packs, but are also available for download on our Resources Page
Are You a Student?
Educators: Register Before You Start
Please let us know you are using the Young Inventors’ Program:
Why register? By registering your school/organization we will be able to provide support to lead a successful program . You will receive timely program news, access to live webinars, and individual guidance from our team. This also helps us make it possible to offer YIP to you at no cost.
For 2026-2027!
YIPLit: Literature and Invention Together for Grades K-2
The YIPLit curriculum will captivate and engage our youngest inventors by using literature as the foundation for invention. The focus on literacy allows educators to use any children's book to dive into the invention process with hands-on activities that foster creativity and critical thinking. The series of lessons guides students to create their own inventions using a more structured approach- perfect for bright young inventors.
While YIP provides a developed curriculum based on a book of our choosing, we encourage educators to innovate and adapt these activities to their favorite books. We hope that this spirit of innovation will spark a passion for STEM education and that YIP educators will share their own YIPLit ideas and plans to create a robust resource library for all to enjoy.
YIPLit (Grades K-2) Lesson Plans and Resources
Invention Units for Grades 3-5 and Grades 6-8
YIP's flagship curriculum is designed by and for educators to spark a passion for invention and STEM education. Students are introduced to each step of the invention process as they engage in hands-on activities to explore STEM concepts and develop critical 21st century skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. Throughout the experience, they gain self-confidence and feel empowered by their resiliency to push through challenges. Upon completion of the program, students will have created an original invention to solve a problem of their own choosing.
YIP Grades 3-5 Lesson Plans and Resources
YIP GRADES 6-8 LESSON PLANS AND RESOURCES
YIP YOUNG INVENTORS' CLUB
Ideal for After and Out-of-School Sites for Grades K-8
Adapted specifically for after-school and out-of-school settings such as camps, library programs and other extracurricular activities,the Young Inventors' Club provides enrichment and exposes students to a meaningful and positive STEM experience in a more condensed and flexible framework. The curricula relies more heavily on hands-on activities that directly lead to the development of an original invention. The culmination of the project is a presentation at a showcase or invention fair event.
High School YIP for Grades 9-12
The High School YIP curriculum has been totally recreated to challenge and fuel the spark of innovation in our older inventors. Lessons introduce concepts of design, engineering and entrepreneurship by using real world issues as the starting point to dare students to think beyond and imagine a better future. This curriculum blends 21st century skills and social emotional learning as students design novel solutions through careful analysis, creativity, and the scientific method.
YIP HIGH SCHOOL LESSON PLANS AND RESOURCES
YIP Rube Goldberg Machine Units for Grades 3-5 and Grades 6-8
The refined YIP Rube Goldberg Machine curriculum provides an alternative approach to inventing. With guidance from Rube Goldberg Machine experts at Zach's Contraptions, this new unit incorpo
rates a more streamlined approach to teaching about simple machines and turning them in to chain reactions. Students are challenged to design a device that is deliberately over-engineered to perform a simple task in a complicated fashion. The Rube Goldberg Machine track sends students spinning into the intuitive, chaotic realm of imagination- all while exploring STEM concepts and developing critical 21st century skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. Throughout the experience, they gain self-confidence and feel empowered by their resiliency to push through obstacles.
The units include extention lessons to intentionally prepare students for competitions and are specifically recommended for students who wish to compete in state Invention Convention and the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest (RGMC) World Championships.
For questions about the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest (RGMC) please email: Zach@RubeGoldberg.org.
YIP RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINES for Grades K-3
YIP RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINES FOR GRADES 4-8
