The Lemelson Foundation

On the last day of Women’s History Month, we want to share an article from GlobalMindED that features a conversation with education leader Stephanie Couch, the Executive Director of our longtime grantee, The Lemelson-MIT Program. In the interview, she connects a decade of building invention education programs with educators and her team at LMIT to developing students who are inventive problem solvers in all aspects of their lives. “When children are given a chance to shine, they rarely disappoint,” Couch said. “At LMIT, we are working to increase invention education throughout communities where students wouldn’t normally have access.” Stephanie Couch is truly an impactful leader shaping the future of STEM, and striving to make it accessible to all students. 🔗 Read her interview here: https://lnkd.in/eHwXpA29  #InventionEducation #InventEd

ICYMI: Throughout this month, we showcased 12 women whose inventions and innovations have made a positive impact on the world. These women represent innovation across geographies and industries, and have solved problems in their communities and for society at large: - Dr. Monica Mburu developed a medicinal beverage to boost the immune system  - Debbie Sterling created toys to introduce young girls to STEM  - Hahnbee Lee co-founded a platform that creates AI-powered software documentation  - Yasmeen S. Alfaraj PhD is developing recyclable thermoset plastics  - Nicole Mao is creating a battery-swapping service for sustainable transportation  - Harriet Tracy invented an elevator with a special safety system - Mary Walton designed a method for controlling pollution from early railroads - Margaret Knight revolutionized the production of the common paper bag - Josephine Garis Cochran invented and manufactured an improved dishwasher  - Gladys West developed models that helped lead to the modern GPS - Katharine Burr Blodgett invented a technique for creating non-reflecting glass - Judith Love Cohen developed guidance technology for NASA and the Apollo Lunar Module If you want to end Women’s History Month on an inspiring note, read more about their invention journeys here: https://lnkd.in/eWqzNuVf Afyalishe Wellness GoldieBlox, Inc. Mintlify NextSet Materials Tiger New Energy #WomensHistoryMonth #HerStory #WomenEntrepreneurs #Inventors #Innovators #Innovation #Entrepreneurs #Changemakers #TheLemelsonFoundation

What does it take for impact incubators to move from survival mode to long-term sustainability? Across the Global South, incubators and accelerators are doing the hard work of supporting entrepreneurs tackling social and environmental challenges. But many are navigating fragile systems, shifting funding landscapes, and increasing pressure to do more with less. In this piece, originally published by The Lemelson Foundation and shared in partnership with Pollinate Impact, we explore what it really takes to build resilience in this sector — and why strengthening incubators is essential to strengthening entire ecosystems. Because when incubators are under strain, the ripple effects are felt across every entrepreneur and community they support. If we want stronger outcomes, we need stronger foundations. 📖 Read the full article and explore related insights from our work: https://lnkd.in/g3FJJBzf #ImpactIncubation #EcosystemBuilding #GlobalSouth #SocialInnovation #SystemsChange

This Women’s History Month is also a part of America’s 250th anniversary, and the USPTO is celebrating the role women inventors played in shaping the ideals set out in the nation’s founding documents. Despite living in different eras and receiving patents in various fields, what connected Eunice Foote, Lyda Newman, Nellie Bly, and Blanche Ame was a commitment to improving the lives of those in their communities. All four women also used their expertise to advocate for women’s suffrage and create lasting change in the U.S. Read USPTO’s article “Seeds of Change” below, and learn more about Lyda Newman, who was also a featured inventor in our Black History Month celebration: https://lnkd.in/e-X7HhEA

We’re excited to join Inkludo Impact during #SFClimateWeek on a panel examining innovative ways to fund startups focused on climate resilience. Our senior program officer Maggie Flanagan will discuss blended finance as a tool philanthropy can use to help catalyze climate tech  — increasing the speed of development from early-stage innovation to large-scale deployment and impact. Register for this online event — held on April 24, Friday, 9 AM PDT — here: https://luma.com/kc724qqi Villgro #climate #climateresilience #SFCW #blendedfinance #innovation #invention

Judith Love Cohen (1933-2016) was an aerospace engineer who helped design technology for NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. She helped develop the lunar module abort guidance system that saved the lives of Apollo 13 astronauts, and also worked on the Minuteman Missile and the ground facility of the Hubble Space Telescope. In addition to her engineering accomplishments, she authored and published a book series, drawing from her experiences to encourage girls to study STEM and other interesting career paths. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ebb7_mDR #WomensHistoryMonth #HerStory #Innovation #Invention #Inventors #Innovators #Entrepreneurs #Changemakers #TheLemelsonFoundation

🚀 Apply now to the Moonshots for Development Open Innovation Challenge:

The Lemelson Foundation was proud to be a sponsor of this year’s #HBCUClimateChangeConference. It was an inspiring week celebrating a legacy of #environmentaljustice and community activism — and showcasing emerging voices from HBCUs who will help lead efforts for climate action and resilience. With a focus on both innovation and equity for frontline communities, we can build a better future for people and the planet. Thank you for all that you do! #HBCUClimate26 #EngineeringforOnePlanet #ClimateJustice Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Engineering for One Planet Environmental Defense Fund Cindy Pereira Cooper Kory Murphy

Katharine Burr Blodgett (1898-1979) made history as the first woman scientist at GE and the first woman to earn a PhD in physics from University of Cambridge — and then she invented “invisible glass.” While working at GE’s Research Lab in Schenectady, NY, she developed monomolecular film coating techniques that improved eyewear, camera lenses, and wartime technology. In 1940, she patented her method for reducing reflection in glass. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/epd5ZRgU #GE #SurfaceChemistry #WomensHistoryMonth #HerStory #Innovation #Invention #Inventors #Innovators #Entrepreneurs #Changemakers #TheLemelsonFoundation

Reamonn L. Soto’s invention journey includes a childhood fascination with jet engines, service as a U.S. Marine, and an unlikely path to becoming a college graduate. As the Founder and CEO of Sensatek Propulsion Technology, Inc, he leads the development of contact-free monitoring technology for machines operating in harsh conditions. His company uses AI to focus on solving customers' complex problems. “We licensed it, developed it, built it out, then sliced it to our customers,” Soto said about leveraging AI to transform technology. On the VentureWell Voices podcast, he dives deeper into how to listen to customer needs in fast-changing industries. 🔗 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eaZhY_hs #Inventors #Invention #Podcast