STEM and SEL Learning through Invention Education
Transforming Learning Through Invention
Discover how invention education can transform learning by combining STEM, creativity, and social-emotional learning (SEL). Through hands-on, student-centered experiences, invention education encourages learners to solve real-world problems, think critically, collaborate, and build confidence while developing valuable skills for the future.
Invention Education Workshop
Date & Time
Friday, September 25, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location
Westfield State University
Research, Innovation, Design, & Entrepreneurial (RIDE) Center
Parenzo Hall, Room 110
The RIDE Center along with NextMinds are excited to offer a new educator workshop diving into all things Invention Education. Inventing encompasses both STEM and SEL. By inventing, students of all ages solve problems that matter to them, build confidence in their ideas, develop real-world skills in research, design, and communication, learn to persevere through challenges, and discover that failure is a step forward.
In this engaging, hands-on educator workshop, participants will: be introduced to the flexible, standards-aligned NextMinds Invention education resource library, learn how K-12 students can participate in MA-Invention Convention, access free resources and activities to implement for a variety of formats and learning environments, and discover how STEM-IE (Innovation, Entrepreneurship) can be used as a tool to incorporate into existing curriculum and programs, including social emotional learning.
FREE PDPs through Westfield State University Center for Teacher Education & Research
Open to all K-12 Educators, Pre-Service Teachers, and Facilitators
Registration link: https://app.smore.com/n/kt1sey
*Workshop attendees are eligible for free program registration for the 26-27 MA Invention Convention program, and may receive $100 Amazon supplies stipend to be used toward invention classroom supplies (one stipend per program for the first 10 schools/programs that register for the 26-27 MA Invention Convention Program.
Any questions, email ljarvinen@westfield.ma.edu
Contact Us
Marsha Olsen, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Teacher Education and Research