There are four open hands each varying in color from dark brown to tan. From left to right: One hand has an exclamation, the next a strand of DNA, the next has a machine gear, and the last hand has a network connectivity logo. Underneath the hands in large lettering is NSTI in blue, red, green, and orange.

Application Deadline: July 15, 2022

Dates: July 25-29, 2022

Summary

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Office of Education will conduct a virtual National Summer Teacher Institute (NSTI) on innovation, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and intellectual property. 

NSTI combines experiential training tools, practices, and project-based learning models to support elementary, middle, and high school teachers, and increase their knowledge of inventing and innovating. The central focus of NSTI is to create and protect intellectual property—this includes inventions, knowledge discovery, creative ideas, and expressions of the human mind that may have commercial value and are protectable under patent, trademark, copyright, or trade secret laws. Intellectual property is modeled as both a teaching and learning platform to help inspire and motivate student achievement in STEM disciplines, computer science, and other fields of study, such as innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Requirements

Elementary school, middle school, or high school teachers who meet all of the criteria below:

• At least three years of prior teaching in one or more of the following STEM or STEM-related areas:

  • biological sciences, physical sciences, computational sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics;

  • vocational and technical education courses such as mechanics, woodworking, welding, or rapid prototyping; graphic design; industrial design; computer-aided design; design thinking; invention education; creative thinking; visualization, intellectual property; or entrepreneurship.

• A commitment in school year 2022-2023 to teach in one or more of the following STEM or STEM-related areas:

  • biological sciences, physical sciences, computational sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics;

  • vocational and technical education courses such as mechanics, woodworking, welding, or rapid prototyping; graphic design; industrial design; computer-aided design; design thinking; invention education; creative thinking; visualization, intellectual property; or entrepreneurship.

• A strong commitment to making, inventing, innovating, and exploring intellectual property and entrepreneurship with student audiences.

• Approval from principal or school administrator.