Invention Teacher Training

Oregon MESA, in partnership with the Lemelson Foundation, is engaged in invention education centered around the concept, “Design for the Other 90%.”

NOTE: This opportunity is only available for California MESA teachers. Oregon MESA teachers are already participating in this project.

INVENTION
“Throughout history, inventions have helped people discover new worlds, build communities, develop resources, increase productivity, cure diseases, ease burdens, and enjoy life to the fullest. … New inventions lead to new technologies, create new jobs, and improve our quality of life.”
–The U.S. Patent Office

HOW DO I APPLY TO THIS PROGRAM
Applications are due by  August 24.  Questions, email davic@cecs.pdx.edu or call 503-725-4268
>>Apply Now

WHAT IS DESIGN FOR THE OTHER 90%
“Of the world’s total population of 6.5 billion, 5.8 billion people, or 90%, have little or no access to most of the
products and services many of us take for granted; in fact, nearly half do not have regular access to food, clean water, or shelter. Design for the Other 90% explores a growing movement among designers to design low-cost solutions for this ‘other 90%.’ Through partnerships both local and global, individuals and organizations are finding unique ways to address the basic challenges of survival and progress faced by the world’s poor and marginalized.”
-Cooper Hewitt Museum (http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/about/)

HOW IS OREGON MESA USING THIS?
Oregon MESA saw a need in students to think beyond themselves.  In a culture of consumerism, students often are provided everything they need to survive, even if they are considered low-income.  MESA saw the Design for the Other 90% as a
motivation to change students’ thinking.  Research has shown that students are
attracted to careers where they can help people.  Tying engineering and technology with the ability to help others attracts students.  The projects are also timely and cost effective on a MESA budget. Our first two projects are centered upon water filtration and water transportation; two very real and vital problems facing developing
countries.

WHAT IS OREGON MESA DOING?
Oregon MESA is conducting a research project in collaboration with The Lemelson Foundation, MESA and Education Northwest on how diverse students are affected by our invention education curriculum.  In Oregon, we have been doing this for four years now, but now we want to replicate this experience outside Portland.

AS A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD I BE DOING?
Selected MESA teachers would:
1.  Participate in an in-person Portland, Oregon training in July 2013 (travel is covered), and potentially in July 2014
2.  Implement the directed curriculum in its entirety in a MESA middle school environment
3.  Participate in community discussions on implementation in a variety of ways. (ie, web, Skype, discussion forums)
4.  Deliver and participate in project research assessment (one phone call, online survey and student survey)
5.  Train another group of teachers (location to be determined)

WHAT’S THE COMPENSATION?
1.  $800 stipend from Oregon MESA
2.  Travel and training costs covered to Portland, Oregon
3.  Additional training in engineering design process and invention
4.  Participation with a unique group of teachers from OR and CA