A new way of preserving food, a wind-powered generator for a vehicle, a trick yo-yo.
These are all examples of inventions Da Vinci Science Center students created.
These young inventors saw a problem in their everyday lives and figured out a way to fix it.
Do you have a young inventor that wants to make his or her ideas a reality?
Our Young Inventors program provides students in grades 5-8 the opportunity to explore the invention process through hands-on activities and presentations led by professional scientists and engineers.
Young Inventors is broken down into two different programs, Idea Lab and Patent Lab.
Registration is closed.
Take your creativity and problem solving to the next level! We’ll practice growing and developing our ideas to meet the patent standard of unique, unknown and unexpected. We’ll work with industry and academic experts, take a field trip to examine unusual technologies, meet special guest presenters, and so much more! Learn advanced building and making skills to turn your idea into a prototype. Idea Lab is a prerequisite for the Patent Lab program.
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After you’ve honed your problem-solving skills in Idea Lab, develop your idea into something worthy of a U.S. patent! Students will be invited to participate in this program based on the ideas, work ethic, and maturity they showed in Idea Lab. They will learn basic patent-drafting skills via a mock invention. They then have the opportunity to apply those lessons to the patent draft of their own idea. The top presentation at the program’s showcase in April will receive pro bono assistance in filing an application for a provisional U.S. patent. Registrants must complete the Idea Lab program before enrolling.
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Kate is a Museum Education Coordinator at the Da Vinci Science Center and oversees the Young Inventors program. She earned a J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law in 2001 and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 2003. She has been retired from the practice of law for many years, having found her professional calling in informal education. While she is no longer a licensed attorney, Kate enjoys drawing on her training in patent and intellectual property law in developing and delivering the Young Inventors program.
Young Inventors is the successor to our popular Inventors Lab program. The program’s students have been awarded six U.S. Patents and have two additional patent ideas under review.
Reva Gandhi of Allentown, Pa., is the 2019 winner of the Most Patentable Invention award. Reva's idea involves a unique way of preserving fresh produce while minimizing packaging and food waste. Reva will receive pro bono assistance in filing a provisional U.S. patent application for her invention.
Thomas Theiner, the winner of the Science Center’s 2015 Inventors Lab showcase, has been granted U.S. Patent No. 10,232,275 for his improved competition or trick yo-yo.
The winner of the 2017 Inventors Lab showcase, Hayden Schmidt of Emmaus, Pa., has been granted a U.S. Patent for his invention of a circuit breaker tagging system.
Vidhyasai Annem, formerly of Allentown, has been granted a U.S. Patent for a multiple-section hair brush that keeps stray hair from falling to the floor.
Ambrose Cavalier of Saylorsburg, Pa., earned U.S. Patent number 9,371,164 on June 21, 2016 at the age of 13 for an adjustable dispensing bottle cap, and U.S. Patent number 9,676,529 on June 13, 2017 for modifications to his design.
William Schopf of Whitehall, Pa., earned U.S. Patent number 8,274,169 on Sept. 25, 2012, at the age of 14 for a wind-powered generator for a vehicle.
Ryan Boulrice of Emmaus, Pa., is the 2018 winner of the Most Patentable Invention award. Ryan invented earbud headphones that utilize a new way to manage the connecting cords. Ryan will receive pro bono assistance in filing a provisional U.S. patent application for his invention.
Contact: Kate Heflin, 484-664-1002, Ext. 116 Learn about Our Other Science Clubs
The Da Vinci Science Center is a national award-winning science center that has connected science to life and lives to science since 1992.
2 weeks 5 days ago
We're just one month away from the deadline to apply for our Hall of Fame Awards. Five high school students with a passion for science will be awarded $2,000 scholarships. Three educators who inspire enthusiasm for science will be awarded a free classroom program or field trip for their students, valued up to $1,000. To apply for the awards or nominate an educator, visit davincisciencecenter.org.
3 weeks 20 hours ago
Ice Cream Wars is only one week away! We can't wait to taste all of the unique flavors that each team creates! Join us on Saturday, Jan. 4 and vote for your favorite. Who will become the Ice Cream Wars 12 champion? Learn more at bit.ly/2EJo98Y.
3 weeks 3 days ago
Christmas may be winding down, but the fun is only beginning at Da Vinci Science Center! We have BubbleMania! shows every day from Dec. 26-Dec. 31. Don't miss your chance to see how the ordinary soap bubble can become something EXTRAORDINARY! More information on show times and tickets available at bit.ly/2raDJXH.
3 weeks 5 days ago
Do you know a high school student who is uncommonly creative and passionate about science? How about a teacher who can inspire enthusiasm for science with innovative approaches? Da Vinci Science Center is looking for applications for the Hall of Fame Awards, where students are awarded $2,000 scholarships and educators receive high-quality classroom programs or a field trip for their students, valued up to $1,000. Applications are due by Jan. 27. For more information, visit davincisciencecenter.org.
4 weeks 17 hours ago
Ice Cream Wars 12 is right around the corner! On Saturday, Jan. 4, come taste 9 different ice cream flavors made using liquid nitrogen! Vote for your favorite and help us crown the Ice Cream Wars 12 champion! Will B104 hold their title for the third year in a row? We can't wait to find out! bit.ly/2EJo98Y
1 month 2 days ago
A few of our STEAM Team Traveling Science Educators had a blast last week when they brought one of our Science Celebrations, STEAM Fest, to the Boys & Girls Club of Easton. You can learn more about our Traveling Science programs at www.davincisciencecenter.org/traveling-science/.
1 month 3 days ago
Teams are hard at work preparing for Ice Cream Wars 12 on Saturday, Jan. 4. Come sample all nine flavors and vote on your favorite!
1 month 1 week ago
Have you seen BubbleMania! yet? If not, good news! Casey Carle, professional bubbleologist, will be here all weekend long! We're even open EARLY on Sunday (10:30 a.m.) to bring you even more show times! Don't miss your chance to witness how the ordinary soap bubble can turn into something extraordinary! Learn more at bit.ly/2raDJXH.
1 month 2 weeks ago
With more than 100 types of arthritis out there, finding the best treatment can be tricky. Dr. Matthew Brown will provide a good overview on how to prevent, treat, and manage arthritis during Senior Science Monday this Monday, Dec. 9 from 1-2 p.m. Senior Science Mondays are presented by St. Luke's University Health Network. Learn more at bit.ly/2J1D5l6.
1 month 2 weeks ago
What if the Da Vinci Science Center didn’t exist?
Jane and her grandkids are sure glad it does. “If the Da Vinci Science Center didn’t exist, the kids wouldn’t have these opportunities to gain greater knowledge of science. Every parent wants to give their children the opportunity to achieve at their highest levels. By experiencing science at this level, kids are more encouraged, excited, and interested in STEAM fields.”
Join Jane and her family in supporting the Da Vinci Science Center tomorrow at 8 a.m. $10 can bring science to life for one under-served student. With Facebook’s #GivingTuesday match, $10 becomes $20 and one under-served student becomes two!
To learn more about how your support makes a difference, visit davincisciencecenter.org/annualfund.
P: 484.664.1002
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