In this exclusive Hall of Innovators podcast, hosted by George Davison, creator of Inventionland and host of Tomorrow’s World Today, George sits down with Grove City Middle School principal Larry Connelly and educator Karen Garland to talk about the transformative impact of the Inventionland Education Applied STEM Innovation Curriculum. Their school has seen remarkable success with the program, including students winning this year’s national invention contest with their project, the “Untie Knot.”

How It All Began

Grove City Middle School first became involved with Inventionland Education seven to eight years ago after Superintendent Dr. Joshua Weaver and his leadership team visited Inventionland’s world-class facility and immediately saw the potential to engage students in new and exciting ways. Inspired by Inventionland’s innovative spaces and the sheer number of products it has brought to the market, Grove City began integrating the applied STEM inventing curriculum into its middle school program.

From the beginning, both administration and teachers sought to give students more opportunities in STEAM-related activities, critical thinking, and collaboration. The Inventionland course checked every box, offering a unique way to prepare students for the future.

Student-driven, Teacher Facilitated

Principal Larry Connelly highlighted one of his favorite aspects of the program: the students are the ones leading the classroom. Unlike traditional classes where the teacher explains everything, in the Inventionland course, students tell the story of their inventions, lead the process, and present their ideas. Teachers serve as guides, but the energy and ownership come from the kids themselves.

Karen Garland, who teaches the course along with fellow educator Ben English, has seen firsthand how excited students are to participate. “Sixth graders come into the school eager to brainstorm inventions years before they are eligible to take the class in eighth grade. By the time they officially enter the program, their anticipation and motivation are high,” Karen shared. She also loves the flexibility provided by school leadership, which allows them to experiment, learn, and refine their approach over the years.

Real Outcomes, Real Growth, and Real Licensing Agreements

The Inventionland Education curriculum is built around a nine-step inventing method, where students work in teams to develop, pitch, and showcase their creations. But the program’s real impact goes beyond projects. Students learn resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the classroom, including three student teams that have earn actual licensing agreement to have their product available for sale in the global marketplace.

Community and Business Partnerships

The program doesn’t just stay within school walls. Grove City students collaborate with local businesses, engineers, and professionals. From candy makers to optical companies, the community has played a vital role in providing students with real-world insights. This partnership approach connects students with industry, making their work more authentic and impactful.

Parents, too, have been enthusiastic supporters. Some families who homeschool their children even send their children to the middle school specifically for the Inventionland course. The buzz in the community demonstrates the credibility and excitement the program generates.

Looking Ahead

Both Larry Connelly and Karen Garland believe the program represents the future of education: competency-based learning, customization, and freedom to think. Rather than focusing on test scores or memorization, students are encouraged to explore, create, and problem-solve. The skills developed in this environment, including critical thinking, communication, and collaboration, are precisely what students need for success in high school, college, careers, and life.

As George Davison summed it up, Inventionland Education’s Applied STEM Innovation Curriculum is more than a class. It’s a movement that empowers students, strengthens schools, and brings communities together through innovation. And at Grove City Middle School, it’s creating proud moments, lasting memories, and a future filled with possibilities.

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With Inventionland Education’s professional learning options, educators can learn new skills, instill more confidence in their STEM classrooms, and use maker machines more effectively.

Inventionland Education offers comprehensive professional learning programs to empower teachers in these critical areas, fostering engaging and innovative classroom experiences. As the end of the school year approaches, it’s an ideal time for administrators to schedule these transformative training sessions for their teaching staff.

Inventionland Education’s professional learning programs are designed to bolster educators’ proficiency in STEM education and maker space technologies. Through immersive, hands-on workshops, teachers gain practical experience with tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC milling machines, and vinyl cutters. This experiential learning approach allows educators to familiarize themselves with essential equipment, understand its practical classroom applications, and confidently integrate these technologies into their curricula.

A key benefit of Inventionland Education’s professional learning is that teachers engage directly with maker space technologies in a supportive environment.

By actively participating, educators overcome any initial uncertainty and build a solid foundation of skills, enabling them to guide students effectively. These training sessions emphasize exploration and experimentation, critical aspects of STEM education, ensuring teachers can inspire curiosity and innovation among their students.

Project-based learning is another cornerstone of Inventionland Education’s professional learning approach. PBL encourages students to explore real-world problems actively, enhancing their critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative skills. Educators gain valuable insights and practical tools through dedicated training sessions to design and implement successful project-based learning experiences tailored to their students’ interests and abilities.

Inventionland Education’s training uniquely integrates maker space technologies into project-based learning and other curricula. Teachers can learn to guide students through prototyping, iterative design, and problem-solving processes, making abstract concepts tangible and relevant. By mastering these techniques, educators can create highly engaging lessons that motivate students and foster deeper understanding and retention.

Administrators have a timely opportunity to invest in their educators by scheduling professional learning sessions at the school year’s conclusion. This strategic timing allows teachers the necessary space and reflection to integrate newly acquired knowledge directly into their upcoming school year plans. Additionally, end-of-year training sessions offer an uninterrupted environment for educators to immerse themselves fully, maximizing their professional growth.

Scheduling professional learning now enhances individual teaching competencies and builds stronger team cohesion among educators. Collective participation in Inventionland Education training creates a shared vision and collaborative spirit, driving a unified approach to STEM education and project-based learning across the entire school.

Inventionland Education’s professional learning programs offer educators the tools and strategies to excel in STEM teaching, maker-machine operation, and project-based learning. Administrators are encouraged to act now, scheduling training sessions to set the stage for a vibrant, innovative, and successful new school year.

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The $732,000 facility enhancement initiative for the 2024-25 school year marks a significant shift away from traditional classroom environments toward immersive learning spaces.

These Innovation Labs aren’t your typical classrooms. They create environments where students actually want to learn, featuring dry-erase L.E.D. light panels and modern furniture designs. As Ki Charter Superintendent Dr. Jerry Lager notes, “Students want to be in these immersive environments. Our student engagement has increased dramatically in these new spaces.”

What makes Ki Charter’s approach unique is its laser focus on serving students who struggle in conventional educational settings. Working exclusively with learners referred from districts throughout Texas, they specialize in meeting the needs of students in residential treatment facilities and day treatment hospitals. Each campus employs teachers with dual certifications in content areas and special education, ensuring every student receives appropriate support.

The Innovation Labs complement Ki Charter’s comprehensive educational philosophy of “Every Change Has a Story.” Beyond the cutting-edge technology, their approach includes project-based STEM learning that engages students in hands-on, real-world problem-solving activities. Career and Technical Education programs prepare students for future employment opportunities, while social-emotional learning initiatives help develop crucial life skills.

Community involvement forms another vital component of Ki Charter’s educational model. Students actively participate in local service projects, including toy drives, food bank assistance, and Wounded Warrior programs. These experiences help students develop practical skills while fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to their communities.

Ki Charter offers a fresh start for students who have faced challenges in traditional educational environments. The schools serve grades one through twelve, focusing on measurable improvements in reading, math, and social-emotional learning. For older students, enhanced career exploration and vocational programs, including food handler certification, provide practical skills and potential career pathways.

The early results of this innovative approach speak volumes. Students show improved math and reading scores, reduced learning gaps, and enhanced social-emotional development. Perhaps most importantly, they’re developing the confidence to reintegrate into traditional classroom settings.

“Our students have rarely been able to learn in environments as impactful as these,” Dr. Lager emphasizes. For students who have struggled to connect with traditional education, these Innovation Labs represent more than just new furniture and technology—they offer a renewed opportunity to engage with learning in meaningful ways.

As the 2024-25 school year progresses, the partnership between Ki Charter and Inventionland Education is a testament to what’s possible when educational institutions think beyond conventional approaches to create environments where all students can thrive.

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After taking first place in their middle school contest, the girls advanced and won the Regional Invention Contest in the middle school division in 2022. After their win, they were invited to an exclusive video podcast by George Davison, founder of Inventionland and the host of Tomorrow’s World Today, an Emmy-nominated television show on the Discovery and Science channels now in its sixth season.

During the podcast, Mr. Davison was so impressed with Mia and Madison’s poise and confidence that he called the President of Jokari, an international product distribution company based in Texas, and suggested they work together to create a licensing agreement.

Fast-forward to March 2024, and Mia and Madison’s invention was proudly featured at The Inspired Home Show in Chicago, formerly known as the International Home + Housewares Show. This renowned event gathers home and housewares professionals from over 120 countries to discover new products and industry trends. It was the perfect platform to introduce their creation to a global audience, marking a significant milestone in their journey from classroom innovators to an actual consumer product.

Dr. Joshua Weaver, Assistant Superintendent of the Grove City Area School District, expressed immense pride in Mia and Madison’s achievements. He highlighted the district’s commitment to fostering critical skills like creativity, communication, and collaboration among its students.

Reflecting on the impact of the invention course, Mr. Larry Connelly, Principal of Grove City Middle School, emphasized its immersive nature and the sense of ownership it instills in students. He underscored the importance of empowering students to drive their learning, a sentiment echoed by teachers Ms. Karen Garland and Mr. Ben English, who guide students through the invention process.

Grove City Middle School’s structured pathway for middle school students lays the foundation for innovation, with courses ranging from business and technology to career exploration and CAD design.

The Inventionland Education innovation course in eighth grade is the culmination of this pathway, where students collaborate in teams to develop new products or enhance existing ones using Inventionland’s 9-step inventing process.

Nathan Field, Executive Director of Inventionland Education, reiterated the organization’s commitment to nurturing young innovators, emphasizing the importance of fostering an innovation mindset from an early age.

Mia and Madison’s journey exemplifies the power of education to inspire creativity and drive real-world change. As their invention hits the market, they are shining examples of what happens when students can explore, innovate, and make their mark on the world.

From the halls of Grove City Middle School to the global stage of The Inspired Home Show, their story is a testament to the limitless potential of young minds when given the chance to shine.

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