Explore Our Innovation Ecosystem at the NIHF Museum

At the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF), our mission is to be a catalyst for change through recognizing inventors and invention, promoting creativity, and advancing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. When you visit the NIHF Museum, you’ll see how we put this mission into action as you step into our Innovation Ecosystem room.

To educate and inspire the next generation of world-changing innovators, NIHF has developed an entire network of programs and competitions designed to promote the concepts and characteristics essential to the invention process, from creative problem solving, design thinking and intellectual property knowledge to collaboration, empathy and persistence.

No other organization can offer programs that benefit from the direct involvement of the world’s greatest inventors, our NIHF Inductees. Each year, these programs impact thousands of students, educators and school districts across the country.

Through interactive exhibits, our Innovation Ecosystem room introduces museum visitors to NIHF’s programs for preschool through college.

Invention Playground

It is never too early to introduce children to innovation. Our Invention Playground® program is designed for preschool, engaging the youngest learners in guided play and immersive storylines that tap into their natural curiosity and creativity. 

Camp Invention

Our flagship summer enrichment program is designed for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Camp Invention® participants collaborate to complete hands-on challenges that introduce them to the invention process while instilling skills that will last a lifetime.

In our Innovation Ecosystem room, you’ll see imaginative prototypes designed and built by Camp Invention participants.

Club Invention

Club Invention® takes the fun and learning of Camp Invention and presents the same benefits in an after-school format for students in first through sixth grade. Participants build their skills in STEM, creative problem solving, teamwork and more during fun-filled, enriching afternoons.

Invention Project

Invention Project® leads middle-school students to see themselves as capable innovators and entrepreneurs. Participants team up for challenges that emphasize the processes and skills involved in bringing inventions to market. They’ll explore intellectual property, gain confidence, express themselves and build their own identities.

Our Innovation Ecosystem room highlights the fun and fulfillment found through Invention Project by displaying prototypes created by program participants.

Collegiate Inventors Competition

The Collegiate Inventors Competition® (CIC) recognizes and rewards the nation’s most innovative college students. This competition not only showcases the work of emerging inventors, but it also provides these students with the unique and valuable opportunity to receive feedback directly from NIHF Inductees.

Be sure to take a look at some of the work developed by CIC participants when you visit the Innovation Ecosystem room.

Learn More

Start planning your visit to the NIHF Museum to explore our Innovation Ecosystem and so much more. We also invite you to learn more about our programs and competitions by visiting invent.org.