I was introduced to the idea by Dr. Joseph Renzulli from the University of Connecticut, who is one of the founders of the Connecticut Invention Convention. As a science educator, I loved the idea of developing a STEM project in Chile, promoting creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication. This project reaches out to rural communities and promotes gender equality.
Learnes identify a problem which they would like to solve and are guided through the engineering design process to design their invention, build a prototype, iterate, then present their results in a Feria de Inventos in front of a jury. During the Yo Invento course, the learners are encouraged to solve certain challenges, to think critically and creatively, to work collaboratively and to communicate their thoughts and results. They are introduced to certain key concepts such as micro-processing systems and sensors, mechanical processes, Artificial Intelligence and biomimicry to give them a solid foundation for inventing. We train teachers in the areas of STEM to help them with their everyday teaching. Finally, through our global partners, we participate in online global innovation events, broadening the horizons of our learners, giving them the opportunity to become more culturally aware, to work collaboratively in a global context and to practice their English communication skills.
2019: 7 schools, 5 comunes in Los Ríos Region, 150 students (10-14) & 12 teachers.
2020: 16 teachers trained online, 30 students in Chile, 18 in Argentina, 8 in Costa Rica, 8 in Guatemala in online Yo Invento course.
First Feria de Inventos LATAM in Dec '20 with learners from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Argentina & from Chile. 10 winners presented inventions in Global Innovation Field Trip in January & a winner from each country participated in Invent Future Global World Challenge, Sept 2021.
2021 - Online course for learners from Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica. Colombia, Ecuador & Venezuela. 2° Feria de inventos LATAM. Winners presented in GIFT Jan 2022. Yo Invento Coursebook developed.
2022: Focus on online teacher training across LATAM. 3° Feria de Inventos LATAM in Dec 2022.
Yo Invento runs online courses in Invention Education for learners in LATAM. We also run online training courses for teachers. Learners with inventions can participate in the Online Feria de InventosLATAM at the end of the year and the winners present in the Global Innovation Field Trip. For more info please contact claire@yoinvento.cl
