SPARK TALKS

Tong Zhang - Assistant Dean for Inclusive Innovation at Portland State University - Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science

When equity and relationships are at the center, invention education can be the power behind innovation in a region. Through support of the Lemelson Foundation to various programs at Portland State University, a culture of invention has been created over the past 15 years that has benefited students K-20 in the region and beyond. 

Dr. Tom Okaya - Kenya National STEM Learning Ecosystem

Faith Kithiaya

To share how the teachers and their STEM Ambassadors in Kenyan twenty (20) high schools are transforming their schools through Invention Education. An inventive activity known as the Experiential Playful, Learning Opportunity and Reality or EXPLORE Café has sparked interest in problem-solving and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). 

Juli Shively - Founder, Innovation World

Bold ideas happen when we stop sidelining students and start trusting them to lead, connect, and create. I’m here to share why building those kinds of spaces matters, and how trusting students to take the lead can spark bigger, braver solutions than we ever imagined.

Jim Egenrieder - Engineering and Education Research Faculty & Director, Technical Education and Workforce Development, Virginia Tech Innovation Campus 

Danielle Cimino - Consulting Coach and Advocate, All Angle Collective, LLC

Invention Education pedagogy involving independent projects, design, and recognition of innovative thinking provides expansive opportunities for all students, and especially those exceptional students who might not thrive in traditional learning environments. Best of all is how exceptional learners' perspectives, attitudes, strategies, and successes inspire other students to think differently.

Jarell Brown - Director of Analytics & Business Intelligence, The Henry Ford

Want to identify barriers to innovation and upward mobility in K-12 education? Through the Innovation Atlas 3.0, users, analysts, organizations, and policy/decision makers can assess past and current resource prioritization, evaluate programmatic solutions, and foster measurable outcomes and equitable opportunities for students and educators in their communities and across the country.

Melissa Tran - Mechanical Engineer, Lam Research

Melissa Tran has been an active member in both MESA and inventOR since 7th grade. She graduated from the University of Portland with a major in mechanical engineering and a minor in innovation. In this Spark Talk, she shares her experience on how these programs opened up ample opportunities, shaping her career path today.

Rudy McCormick - Executive Director, Arizona MESA

Ling Faith-Heuertz - Executive Director, New Mexico MESA

Inspired by an InventEd session at the 2024 Convening, hear how MESA executive directors from Arizona and New Mexico have continued to explore the variety of ways project management can increase adoption of invention education throughout MESA USA. We believe Project Management is truly a transferable life skill that can prepare students for success in academic and career pathways.

Adam Maltese - Professor, Indiana University 

MyMachine connects 1st and 2nd graders with university design students and high school builders to bring inventive ideas to life. This educational collaboration fosters creativity through asking kids to dream big, and engaging older students in design thinking and iterative hands-on prototyping. The magic happens when youngsters see their dream machines become reality.