Patent and Trademark Office Launches Free Invention Platform for K–12 Teachers and Students
- By Kate Lucariello
- 12/15/22
The United
States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has
contracted with Second
Avenue Learning to launch EquIP
HQ, a free K–12 platform for teachers and students
to learn how to invent solutions to real-world problems using STEM
and STEAM skills. The grade-level, standards-based program takes
learners through design, prototypes, tests, improvements, and the
intellectual property rights patent process.
EquIP
HQ is divided into four grade-specific content portals: K–2, 3-5,
6-8, 9-12, and includes teacher and family guides for helping
students with lesson plans and activities. Each portal has explore
and learn panels; videos, such as types of patents and student
inventions; a timeline; match game; promotion and trademark zones;
and activities to brainstorm and design an invention. Lesson plans
encourage students to think about problems and challenges in a new
way and what they can invent to address them. Free tryouts of the
program are available on the site.
“EquIP
HQ will allow for authentic, real-world opportunities for students,”
said Victoria VanHoorhis, CEO of Second Avenue Learning. “Sometimes
we call them problems. Sometimes we call them challenges. They’re
really opportunities for students and kids of all ages to realize the
inventor that exists within every one of us.”
Visit
EquIP HQ’s home page to click on a grade level or teacher/family
resources to learn more.
Second
Avenue Learning’s education services page explains more about what
it offers.
For
more information about USTPO’s Education Office resources for kids,
students, and teachers, see this page.
About the Author
Kate Lucariello is a former newspaper editor, EAST Lab high school teacher and college English teacher.