Inventors shape the world with their ideas. Invite your patrons to unleash their creativity on one of these special days dedicated to celebrating inventions.
January 16
Kid Inventors' Day
Celebrated annually on Benjamin Franklin's birthday, this is the perfect day to help kids shine, create, invent, and explore.
http://www.kidinventorsday.com
February 11
National Inventors' Day
Celebrated annually on Thomas Edison's birthday, this day highlights the creativity of inventors.
https://inventioneducation.org/national-inventors-day-celebrating-the-power-of-invention-education/
April 21
World Creativity and Innovation Day
Innovation leads growth and industry worldwide. Get creative locally and inspire globally.
https://www.un.org/en/observances/creativity-and-innovation-day
April 26
World Intellectual Property Day
Established by the World Intellectual Property Organization, World Intellectual Property Day celebrates the creativity and innovation of creators and inventors worldwide.
https://www.wipo.int/en/web/ipday
May
National Inventors' Month
This month-long celebration of creativity is a great time to stimulate your patrons' brains to get started innovating.
https://www.invent.org/blog/trends-stem/National-Inventors-Month
Mississippi Small Business Development Center Inventor Assistance: www.mssbdc.org
Patent and Trademark Resource Center, Mississippi Library Commission: https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/ptrc/
Patent and Trademark Resource Center, Mississippi State: https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/support-centers/patent-and-trademark-resource-centers-ptrc/ptrc-103
Secretary of State: https://www.sos.ms.gov/index.php/business-services/trademarks
United Inventors Association of the USA: www.uiausa.org
Can't wait to see the light bulb go off in our patron's head? Try one of these programming ideas to pique their curiosity.
Lemelson-MIT
Activity Book: https://lemelson.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2020-11/BEE_THE_INVENTOR_11_2_20_0.pdf
PBS Kids
Design Squad Global Club has tons of activities for kids to try: file:///C:/Users/reference/Downloads/dsg18-doc-inventing-green-12-week-guide.pdf
National Inventors Hall of Fame
This short booklet has a lot of STEAM-related invention prompts, like creating musical instruments, designing a wildlife park, constructing towers, and, my personal favorite, inventing something from nothing: https://www.invent.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/2022_STEM_Activity_Guide_Classroom_0.pdf
US Patent and Trademark Office:
Build and launch your own rocket with construction paper, PVC pipe, and bicycle inner tubes: https://www.uspto.gov/kids/Rocket_Guide_Short_Version.pdf
Color T. Markey coloring book: https://www.uspto.gov/kids/TMarkeyColoring.pdf
Create a mechanical grasper with cardboard, a straw, string, and fasteners: https://www.uspto.gov/kids/MiddleSchool-MechanicalGrasper.pdf
Create your own animated flip book: https://www.uspto.gov/kids/Flipbookdirections.pdf
Inventor and Entrepreneur Resources: https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/inventors-entrepreneurs-resources
Inventors coloring book: file:///C:/Users/reference/Downloads/COLORINGBOOK_ForWeb.pdf
Ms. Pat Pending coloring book: https://www.uspto.gov/kids/PatGRSColoringBook.pdf
Trademark activity book: https://www.uspto.gov/kids/TM_ActivityBook_2012.pdf
Many of our special collections kits are great additions to your invention programs. Here are some to consider:
LittleBits Kits: https://mlc.libguides.com/c.php?g=1345358&p=9943739
Makey Makeys: https://mlc.libguides.com/c.php?g=1345358&p=9943741
Snap Circuit Kits: https://mlc.libguides.com/c.php?g=1345358&p=9943752
Squishy Circuits Kits: https://mlc.libguides.com/c.php?g=1345358&p=9943759
STEM Kits: https://mlc.libguides.com/c.php?g=1345358&p=9943762