Vermont Young Inventors' Program
The Young Inventors’ Program is a K-12 project-based learning curriculum. Through hands-on learning, research, and testing, students explore STEM principles and develop 21st Century skills in decision making, design thinking, and communications.
A program of the University of New Hampshire’s Leitzel Center, the Young Inventors’ Program (YIP) captures the spirit of youth innovation first sparked by founder and inventor Dr. Robert Rines. Now 40 years later, we are enriching a third generation of inventors in New Hampshire, northern Massachusetts and Vermont.
For Students
This program is for YOU, the inventor! We are here to help you develop ideas, solve problems, build inventions, and present your projects. Along the way, you will meet other students just like you who are exploring science, technology, and engineering.
YIP is a program hosted in many schools and community organizations throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and beyond. If your school/community has a YIP program, we encourage you to participate with them. However, for students who do not have a local YIP, you may invent independently. Read on for how to begin.
For Educators
YIP materials are adaptable to all learning environments in school, out of school, and at home. We designed it to be easy to implement, flexible enough to meet diverse student needs, and applicable to a broad range of disciplines and most important, accessible to anyone. Educators and leaders with and without STEM expertise can use the modules to introduce fun activities and teachable units at all K-12 grade levels. YIP provides specific grade level tracks for learning and offers curricula for Invention & Design and Rube Goldberg Machines allowing educators and students to choose the path that most inspires them.
YIP offers:
- Project-based learning experience that builds standards-based inquiry skills
- FREE curriculum and resources
- Lesson plan recommendations for in-person and virtual classroom models
- Professional development and networking opportunities
- Engaging events at local, regional and national levels
Young Inventors’ Program Mission
The mission of the Young Inventors’ Program is to provide programs, pathways, and information to develop the intellectual capacity, critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving abilities of all students so that they may become contributing, and forward-thinking members of the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the invention community.
Invention Convention Competition
The Young Inventors’ Program celebrates all inventors wherever they are inventing. In Northern New England, we offer opportunities for students to showcase their projects, meet other young inventors, and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. These local, regional, and national events allow students to progress to higher levels of competition.
School/Local Invention Fairs
School/Local Invention Fairs are held at YIP schools and sites throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and northern Massachusetts. If you are enrolled in a Young Inventors’ Program through your school or other organization, you must participate in your site’s invention fair to qualify for the state event. Invention fairs may be in-person or virtual as determined by the site.
Independent Students’ Invention Fair
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2027
TIME: 4:00PM-6:00pm
DEADLINE TO REGISTER:
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2027, by 5pm EST
Students who are not enrolled in a formal YIP site (typically schools and community organizations) may participate in-person and virtually in this competition. More Information and Registration.
Vermont Invention Convention
2027 Date TBD
Time TBD
The 202t Vermont Invention Convention details will be released soon. This state competition celebrates the innovation and achievement of our talented young inventors. The day will be filled with presentations and activities to unite YIP’s newest community in Vermont and showcase the ingenious ideas developed this year. This event is in-person only.
YIP leaders nominate students enrolled in their programs at their School/Local Invention Fairs for the state competition. Students are also selected from the Independent Students’ Invention Fair.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Tina White, Director of the Young Inventors’ Program:
Tina.White@unh.edu
(603) 862-3401
Jeff Mao, Executive Director, Vita-Learn
director@vita-learn.org
(207) 798-2460
Invention Convention U.S. Nationals
JUNE 9-11, 2027
The Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI
Selected winners from the Vermont Invention Convention and regional events across the country will be invited to participate in these competitions organized by Invention Convention Worldwide in partnership with The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.
Selected student inventors travel to The Henry Ford for a multi-day experience which includes:
- Presenting their invention to a panel of educational and industry expert judges.
- Meeting and engaging with other student inventors, professional experts and special guests.
- Participating in educational experiences, culminating in the awards ceremony.
- Exploring the venues of The Henry Ford.
Each qualifying invention is eligible for over eighty grade level, category, industry and patent application awards, cash prizes and scholarships.