CSUS Sacramento or Sacramento State is part of the California State University system, the largest public university system in the US with over 450,000 students across 23 campuses in California. We all know that the journey of invention and innovation starts with education and Sacramento State is leading the way with their Invention Education Program.

This class is based on the Lemelson-MIT program. It’s designed to have students tackle real-world challenges. This transdisciplinary program is all about inclusivity, diversity, and the power of invention to create meaningful change. Joining us today are four amazing guests who each play a key role in this inventive spirit.

Dr. Christopher Rogers is a professor at Sacramento State and lead of the transdisciplinary Invention Education course. With years of experience in innovation through education, Dr. Rogers helped design a curriculum that develops technical and entrepreneurial skills as well as community engagement and social responsibility in his students.

Rafael Gacel-Sinclair is a Technology Transfer Officer for the Office of Innovation & Technology Transfer (OITT) at Sacramento State. Rafael is key in aligning the Invention Education Program with the university’s overall innovation and commercialization goals. His work ensures the program is the bridge between academic learning and real-world application, so students can see their ideas come to life.

Stephanie Couch, Executive Director of the Lemelson-MIT Program, also joins us. Stephanie is on a mission to democratize invention education. She has been instrumental in expanding access to programs that empower diverse learners to engage with the invention process. Her work ensures the benefits of innovation reach underrepresented groups in STEM and creates pathways for new voices and ideas in the field.

Michael Cima, Faculty Director of the Lemelson-MIT Program, brings his expertise in innovation, education, and mentorship. A professor and inventor himself, Michael ensures programs like the Invention Education initiative are research-based and practical. He’s committed to cultivating inventive thinking so students can tackle the big challenges with confidence and creativity.

In This Episode:

[04:29] The Lemelson-MIT Program was started about 30 years ago with generous funding from the Lemelson Foundation. The original mission was to inspire young people to live creative and inventive lives.

[05:18] Prizes were awarded to inventors. About 10 years ago, they began working on inventor education. They began awarding High School inventors and letting them take the project to MIT. They have a diverse group of people who have earned patents.

[07:23] They also begin researching the pathway to becoming an inventor and developing more inventors. They are now focused on developing the next generation of leading innovators.

[08:12] University collaborators are needed to nurture inventors.

[09:23] Stephanie talks about the many programs for young inventors.

[11:41] The Invention Education Program works with higher education faculty and staff to develop their understanding of the invention process and practices. Schools are motivated to offer things to students that will be meaningful in their futures. They are inventing classes that will offer college credit.

[14:38] Christopher had worked at Lemelson. He became excited about seeing diverse students interested in STEM and learning about becoming an inventor. 

[17:08] Students are imagining the world where they are actively designing the process. 

[18:21] He realized that invention education was a way for people to save people and was interested in bringing this program to Sac State.

[20:46] With his background in social sciences, Christopher knew that the community and team aspect of inventorship was something he was very interested in.

[22:43] Christopher explains more about the invention education course and how it's going to be a two-semester original transdisciplinary course.

[27:31] Students are loving the program so far.

[31:44] Sacramento State Office of Innovation and Technology Transfer, OITT has a mission to manage, protect, and commercialize Sacramento State IP, and educate faculty, staff, and students about IP, while encouraging them to invent, create, and innovate.

[37:05] The Rapid Brands story. From Sac State to Davis to Shark Tank and selling microwave cookers worldwide. This program will create more successful students just like the Rapid Brands creator Chris Johnson.

[40:06] Tech Transfer offices need to do more to teach their students about IP, inventing, innovating, and starting businesses.

[41:39] Invention education programs from Lemelson-MIT and Sacramento State will help close the gender and ethnic gaps in inventorship.

[46:29] If you want to learn more you can always contact Stephanie at [email protected]

Resources: 

Dr. Christopher Rogers - Sacramento State

Rafael Gacel-Sinclair - LinkedIn

Stephanie Couch - Lemelson-MIT

[email protected]

Michael Cima - Lemelson-MIT

Lemelson-MIT

Partners In Invention Education

Pathways to Invention