Fostering Future Innovators: Three New Statewide Programs Join Invention Convention Worldwide

As The Henry Ford’s Invention Convention Worldwide (ICW) continues to advance invention education across the country, we are pleased to announce three new statewide affiliates have joined the program in 2025, bringing the program’s footprint to 26 states. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Terra Science and Education; and Louisiana State University are our newest affiliates, providing invention education programs in Maryland, New York and Louisiana.

Invention Convention Maryland – The George and Betsy Sherman Center | University of Maryland, Baltimore County

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has joined the Invention Convention community as the affiliate for Invention Convention Maryland. The program will be led by staff at the university’s George and Betsy Sherman Center. Through a number of programs, UMBC works with educators and partners to build a foundation for lifelong learning in K-12 students. In working with Invention Convention Worldwide, UMBC has an opportunity to provide an exciting invention education program to the students they already work with, as well as use this program to engage with K-12 learners in other areas of Maryland. “Invention Convention provides educators in Maryland with a flexible and tested curriculum to help our students innovate,” said Michael Sarbanes, executive director of the George and Betsy Sherman Center. “Engaging the imagination of our students is how learning becomes transformational.”

“Invention Convention’s emphasis on the process of inventing and the skills learned from that rather than focusing solely on the invention itself strongly aligns with the way UMBC approaches education,” said Juliana Venegas, assistant director, early childhood initiatives for the Sherman Center. “As an affiliate, UMBC would be able to directly support students in K-12 in developing critical thinking skills and the resilience needed to work through challenges. Most importantly, ICW is an exciting and engaging program for students, teachers and families to participate in, which makes ICW an ideal vessel through which we can support and give back to our surrounding communities in Baltimore and Maryland.”

Please visit https://sherman.umbc.edu/partnerships-2/inventionconvention/ to learn more.

Invention Convention New York – Terra Science and Education

With a strong foundation in project-based STEM and innovation education, Terra Science and Education has partnered with ICW to become the affiliate for Invention Convention New York. For over a decade, Terra Science and Education’s mission has been to develop innovative young minds through project-based learning and has worked with a number of project-based STEM and innovation education programs to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators.

While Terra currently serves students in grades 5-12 through its regional science fairs and GENIUS Olympiad programs, Invention Convention provides a unique opportunity to engage younger students, in grades K-4, creating a seamless STEM pathway from early education through high school. This partnership aligns with Terra’s mission to promote innovation, creativity and real-world problem solving by offering hands-on, standards-aligned programming that nurtures invention and entrepreneurship.

The team at Terra Science and Education is excited to work with ICW to develop programs that inspire, challenge and prepare K-12 students for success. “New York has long stood at the forefront of innovation, and today, we continue to lead the charge in shaping the future of innovation through education,” said Terra Science and Education CEO Dr. Fehmi Damkaci. “We invite schools, teachers, programs and companies to support Invention Convention New York, where critical thinking meets workforce development to foster the next generation of innovators who will drive change and redefine what’s possible.”

Please visit Invention Convention New York’s website to learn more.

Louisiana Invention Convention – Louisiana 4-H Youth Development | LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension Service

An educational outreach arm for Louisiana State University, the Louisiana 4-H Youth Development program is thrilled to become the affiliate for Louisiana Invention Convention. With a mission to help youth become “beyond ready” for life and careers through project-based experiential learning, Louisiana 4-H offers various K-12 programs in STEM education, invention and entrepreneurship.

Christina Hebert, Louisiana 4-H career readiness specialist, recognized the valuable experiential learning opportunity that Invention Convention provides youth by giving them opportunities to cultivate life and career skills, such as problem-solving, creative thinking and public speaking. “Invention Convention aligns with our priority of providing high quality, project-based learning experiences in an effort to develop the next generation of leaders, both for the workforce and for local communities,” Hebert noted. “We’re thrilled to join the ICW affiliate community to strengthen and expand the positive impact of STEM and entrepreneurial programming for youth throughout Louisiana.”  

For more information about the program, send an inquiry to czito@agcenter.lsu.edu.

If you’re interested in learning more about or participating in Invention Convention, you can find your local program  to get connected. For educators and students in an area without a program affiliate, the Independent Inventor Program offers a pathway to participate in Invention Convention. To learn more about Invention Convention Worldwide, please visit inventionconvention.org.