Boost Your Students’ IP Literacy on World IP Day

Each year, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) hosts World IP Day, a celebration of the role of intellectual property (IP) rights in spurring creativity and innovation. This year’s theme is “IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future,” focusing on students’ potential to use their creativity to change the world.

“World Intellectual Property Day 2022 is an opportunity for young people to find out how IP rights can support their goals, help transform their ideas into reality, generate income, create jobs and make a positive impact on the world around them,” said WIPO in an article on its website. “With IP rights, young people have access to some of the key tools they need to advance their ambitions.”

Making IP Accessible for Students

At the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® (NIHF), part of our mission is to advance the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the county. To achieve this, all of NIHF’s education programs integrate hands-on IP curricula using engaging STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities. By creating their very own invention prototypes, branding them in unique ways, and even observing real patent applications for inspiration, children realize how IP not only protects their inventions, but can also help their creations stand out from the competition.

In this summer’s brand-new Camp Invention^® program, for example, campers take part in an experience called NIHF’s The Attic^™, where they learn all about how trademarks, design patents and utility patents can help them to protect their inventions and market them to prospective customers.

Additionally, because all NIHF curricula are inspired by real-life lessons and stories from our NIHF Inductees, students who participate in our programming have the chance to learn how some of the world’s greatest inventors have used IP protections on their own inventions.

Exploring IP in the Classroom

World IP Day gives educators an excellent opportunity to guide their students to embrace the power and purpose of IP. As you help your students to identify real-world examples of IP and to recognize their own rights as creators, we invite you to try this free STEM activity that encourages them to design their very own flag!

To learn more about IP, and for ways to better incorporate the subject in your classroom, check out our blog.