IPknow™

IP Education for K-12

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE

Given IP’s continued importance to the economy and world around us, how can we ensure that the children of today will be prepared for the jobs of tomorrow? While current STEM education techniques continue to improve by incorporating hands-on activities and lessons in entrepreneurship, the lack of IP instruction across all parts of our educational system is a glaring oversight that must be addressed. It is not enough to simply teach students how to create, design and invent; they must also learn how to protect what they create ... whether it’s a song they wrote or a widget they invent.

K-12 IP Education Programs

IP Learning Resources

Do you want to learn more about how creators like artists, musicians, and inventors protect their creations?

• Grades K-6

  • Howtoons: Instructional comics that teach kids how to build projects and toys using everyday household goods

  • PBS Kids DESIGNsquad: Interactive website where students can Watch videos about design and innovation, Design and build their own cool ideas, be Wowed by cool technology, and Play games to learn how stuff works!

  • “Bee” the Inventor Coloring Book: STEAM activity book that teaches kids (ages 6-8) about invention

  • US Patent and Trademark Office Kids Site: Fun activities, videos, and information about IP

• Grades 6-12

  • US Patent and Trademark Office Teens Site: A page where innovation, excitement, and inventions collide!

  • National Geographic Lesson on IP: A lesson to understand the importance of IP in your daily life

  • Lemelson-MIT Inventor Handbook: This site provides a basic overview of intellectual property and concepts of invention.

  • PBS NewsHour Classroom’s “Invention Education” lesson series: Learn how to solve real-world problems, exploring inventions that do everything from battle invasive species to taking on climate change.

  • INTA Unreal Campaign: The Unreal Campaign is an awareness program of the International Trademark Association (INTA) which aims to educate young consumers (14- to 23-years-old) about the dangers of counterfeiting and the importance of trademarks through online activities and direct school engagement.

• Educators

  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Parents & Teachers Site: This site provides resources to help tap into the passion and creativity that all children have to learn about creation, invention, and intellectual property.

    • Intellectual property webinar for K-12 educators: The USPTO hosts monthly virtual professional development webinars for K-12 educators interested in integrating IP, innovation, and invention activities into their STEM/STEAM curriculum. Sessions are held on the last Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. ET.

    • K-12 IP education office hours: The USPTO hosts monthly virtual “office hours” where K-12 educators and learners may ask questions regarding IP, USPTO resources, and ideas for integrating IP concepts into various subject matter. Sessions are held the last Wednesday of every month from 3-4 p.m. ET.

  • National Inventors Hall of Fame Blog: The NIHF has a collection of articles and content for parents and educators to teach invention education to kids.

  • inventEd: Site includes a collection of content and curricula that is sortable by grade level, published by invention education program providers.

  • Copyright & Creativity: Site of an organization that provides age-appropriate, in-depth lessons that promote a positive approach to respecting creative work.

  • IPBasics.org: A fresh approach to learning about IP rights exist and who they benefit can be used by viewers of all ages and backgrounds.