Building an Innovation Mindset in Afterschool Programming

Afterschool programming has long been considered an effective way to combat the effects of summer slide.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these opportunities became even more essential due to the potential learning losses that many referred to as COVID-19 slide. While schools across the country implemented distance and hybrid learning strategies, and teachers heroically answered the call and went above and beyond to make sure their students received the best education possible, the fact that children do not have equal access to learning resources in an at-home environment meant a sizable population of students fell behind academically during the height of the pandemic.

The crucial need to provide children with experiences to combat all types of slide is part of what inspires the education team at the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® (NIHF) to design programs that address their social-emotional needs, alongside academic needs (e.g., building STEM skills).

Authentic Invention Education in an Afterschool Setting 

One of the most effective ways to empower children and help them identify and pursue their passions is through invention education. With this pedagogy, students are challenged to explore, discover or invent solutions to real-world problems.

NIHF’s style of invention education is unique in that we have the privilege of collaborating with some of the world’s most influential inventors: our NIHF Inductees. These innovators understand on a profound level what it takes to create revolutionary change. They inform the development of all our education programs, and they share their expertise with the goal of inspiring the next generation.

With their help, we’ve identified the key tenets of the Innovation Mindset^TM — a collection of nine essential skills and traits that represent what it takes to bring an invention idea to market and make your mark on the world.

Club Invention Embraces Collaboration

In Club Invention^®, our afterschool program for students in grades 1-6, each of the program’s eight units highlights different aspects of this mindset. By participating in each unit, children discover their agency as creators.

Particularly during the challenging times of the pandemic, one of the things children missed most was social interaction and engagement. Giving them the opportunity to exchange and collaborate on ideas, inspire each others’ prototypes, and laugh and feel joy while discovering and learning helps them build community, feel part of a team, and be part of something bigger than themselves. In fact, healthy childhood development depends on it.

Club Invention has been absolutely amazing! I can't say enough good things about it. I've had both my principal and vice principal come in to observe, as well as any teacher or staff member that walks by. This is the way education should be in the classroom, every day! I'm so pleased to have been a part of it. Thank you! — Denise Hallinan, Club Invention Instructor

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