+ When is Project Invent Institute? What is the time commitment like?
Institute is a four-day virtual professional development experience. Along with your fellow educators, you will travel a rapid invention journey — researching, ideating, and prototyping — and experience many of the same frustrations and celebrations that your student inventors will during the school year.
At the end of the week, you will collaborate with Project Invent staff to design a unique and detailed plan for program launch.
Note: to keep Institute energizing and flexible, we make sure to strike an even balance between synchronous and asynchronous work time!
+ I have limited experience with tech. Can I teach invention?
Absolutely, yes! Each year, our cohort includes Fellows of all backgrounds. At Institute, you will be given all of the tools you need to lead an invention journey, inlcluding a crash course in Arduino. When your students are ready to prototype, Project Invent volunteers are available for "Tech Office Hours" to provide extra support.
Plus, we are big believers in the power of "co-learning," and encourage you to learn in real time with your students. And remember: invention is rooted in human empathy. We know you have plenty of that!
To hear from an art-teacher-turned-invention-teacher, check out this episode of the Project Invent podcast.
+ Can invention be taught virtually?
It can, and it has! Our program can be carried out virtually or in-person. We leverage online collaboration and creation tools like MURAL, Slack, and TinkerCAD to make this possible.
+ Do I need to have a project idea before starting?
No! After you are accepted, we will help you scope a community project and find a local partner to work with your students. In the best case scenario, your students will do this scoping work alongside you! No need to determine a concrete project idea or proposal right now.
+ Do I need to have students recruited before I apply?
No. As long as you are excited to bring Project Invent to your school, we are confident that you will find students who share your excitement for local change-making. Roster submission deadlines will be communicated well in advance.
Note: Typically, our student teams include 5-8 students each. Fellows are permitted to coach 1-4 teams.
+ Is Project Invent an in-class project? Or an after-school opportunity?
We work hard to ensure that our program is flexible. Project Invent can take the shape that makes most sense for you and your students.
In our 2025-2026 cohort, approximately one third of our students teams worked in after-school settings. The other half worked on their inventions during formal school hours either in a class setting or enrichment period.
+ How does Project Invent align with curriculum standards, like NGSS?
At a high level, the Project Invent program is designed to cultivate [future ready mindsets][2] in students, regardless of subject area or standards.
Taking a closer look at our curriculum: The Invention Toolkit has been mapped to various standard systems, such as the California CTE Standrads, NGSS Engineering Design, International Baccalaureate's Middle Years Programme, and more. Project Invent has been taught as a standalone course, as an after school club, and as a group project within a standardized core course. Our experienced Program Managers offer dedicated support time to help Fellows plan for classroom success.
For a sample NGSS alignment chart, click here.
+ What happens after the Fellowship?
Your first year as a Project Invent Fellow brings you into the community — but that’s only the start! Once you’ve completed your first-year experience, you will have an open invitation to participate in the program as a veteran Fellow. Our veteran Fellows are not expected to attend Summer Institute or professional development sessions throughout the school year.
In addition, returning Fellows have access to leadership opportunities where they can help cultivate the Project Invent community!
+ I only teach elementary school. Can I apply to the Fellowship?
Project Invent currently serves middle and high school educators. If you are an elementary school teacher looking for a deep dive into invention education, check out our free curriculum and resources perfect for any age group!
+ How much does the Fellowship program cost?
Project Invent program fees are dependent on the population of students that you serve as an educator. Our Whole School Model program is a cost-effective and impactful way to bring Project Invent to a classroom, grade-level, or whole school. Pricing starts at $6,900. Schedule a call with us to learn more.
Looking for even greater impact? Consider becoming a Project Invent Innovation District.
+ Who can participate in Project Invent?
Educators from all subject areas -- STEM, Art, the Humanities, and more -- are able to run Project Invent. Whether your a teacher, librarian, makerspace coordinator, instructional coach, after-school or out-of-school time facilitator, homeschool educator, or community leader, anyone can run Project Invent and install invention education in their young learners.
Educators must live in North American time zones to participate in our Fellowship and receive program and volunteer support from our team. Educators not in a North American time zone are encouraged to download our curriculum and incorporate into their classrooms independently.