Many people don't recognize how invention touches every aspect of our lives – and that may keep them from becoming inventors. With that in mind, The Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention & Innovation at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History was established to explore the role of invention in history and encourage inventive creativity in young people.

The Lemelson Center documents and celebrates the importance of invention in American life through:

• Fun and engaging exhibits for inventors of all ages. 
• Programs, educational materials and kid-friendly resources for teachers and parents.
• Research opportunities and symposia that bring together leading thinkers to explore and advance invention as it relates to architecture, play, the environment, and other themes

With millions of museum visitors annually; educational videos, DVDs, and CD-ROMs that have been distributed to 35,000 classrooms; 40,000 podcast downloads a year; and millions of children and their families who have explored hands-on science through Invention at Play exhibitions and Spark!Lab, the Lemelson Center has created a new level of excitement and understanding about the power of invention.

Read more: Lemelson Center at the Smithsonian
 
 

www.inventionatplay.org

www.invention.smithsonian.org