DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
PRINS. MEMO NO. 11
March 11, 2008
ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE/SECONDARY
| TO: | Principals |
| FROM: | Linda M. Wallinger Assistant Superintendent for Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Grants |
Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is a national grants initiative of the Lemelson-MIT Program to foster inventiveness among high school students. InvenTeams composed of high school students, teachers, and mentors are asked to collaboratively identify a problem that they want to solve, research the problem, and then develop a prototype invention as an in-class or extracurricular project. Grants of up to $10,000 support each team's efforts. InvenTeams are encouraged to work with community partners, specifically the potential beneficiaries of their invention.
The InvenTeams experience is intended to generate excitement about the rewarding process of identifying a problem or need, brainstorming solutions, and working hands-on to develop a prototype. "Learning by doing" is a central tenet of InvenTeams. Students are exposed to current engineering design methods and teamwork. InvenTeams projects empower students to work collaboratively on a problem and create an environment ripe for "
The deadline for the initial 2009 application is April 28, 2008. Use http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/apply.html to retrieve an application and learn more about the program. For more information, please contact Deborah Kiger Bliss, mathematics coordinator, Office of Middle and High School Instruction, by e-mail at Deborah.Bliss@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 786-6418.
LMW/DKB/yba