invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship education integrating appropriate- sustainable...

Invention, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Education

Integrating Appropriate-Sustainable Technology &

Entrepreneurship Sept 28, 2004Phil Weilerstein

NCIIA


Information Inspiration Action

The NCIIA supports invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship education at institutions of higher learning by providing faculty and students from member colleges and universities with grants and resources and networking opportunities that will encourage the formation and work of E-Teams (the “E” is for excellence and entrepreneurship).


E-Teams are multidisciplinary teams of students, faculty, and industry advisors who work together to develop a product or technology with potential for commercial success. The NCIIA has a strong interest in supporting E-Teams whose work is environmentally sustainable and socially beneficial. E-Teams bring learning beyond the classroom and into the real-life experience of technology commercialization.


The NCIIA helps effect lasting changes within and beyond its member institutions through support of curricular transformation that increases institutional and individual capacity for effective innovation and technology innovation through.•Cross-disciplinary collaboration

•Cross-institutional collaboration•Technology transfer and commercialization

•Informal educational opportunities

•Cultural change


GrantsEach year the NCIIA provides approximately $1 million in Lemelson Foundation grants to member colleges and universities. Proposals are submitted twice each year online at www.nciia.org.(December 1, ‘04 & May 1, ‘05)Proposals for Course and Program and Advanced E-Team grants are reviewed by panels of business and technical faculty, industry representatives, and venture capitalists.


• Equipment

• Supplies

• Travel

• Technical services

• Expenses related to students’ performing patent searches or creating marketing analyses, business plans, or prototypes

• Faculty planning stipends (up to $5,000)

Course and Program Grants fund:


• Faculty and staff from member institutions• To create a new course or program or enhance

one already in place, leading to the formation of E-Teams.

• Designed to create institutional change, and to foster an entrepreneurial and socially conscious approach to technological education.

• $2,000-50,000• One to three years in duration

Course and Program Grants


• Expertise• Pedagogical methods encouraging team formation,

group problem-solving, and effective entrepreneurial approaches

• Potential to introduce students to concepts of affordable design and/or social entrepreneurship

• Institutional commitment• Availability of resources• Support for E-Teams after course or project ends• Involvement of historically underrepresented students

and faculty

Course and Program grant evaluation criteria


Integrated Approach to Technological Innovation Georgia TechA multi-disciplinary graduate level certificate program for engineers, scientists and law students focused on commercializing existing Intellectual Property

Technology Transfer E-Team: Torex


Intro. To Engineering Design RPISophomore level introductory course emphasizing creativity and market directed product innovation. Promising projects are continued in a clinic setting with intensive mentoring.

Introductory Design E-Team: Bullex Fire Extinguisher Training system


Assistive Technology Devices: University of Rhode IslandA 2-semester course sequence preparing students in the design, development, and marketing of assistive technology devices.

Assistive Technology


Biomedical Technology Innovation (Johns Hopkins U) A four semester undergraduate BME design lab sequence in which students develop devices to address needs in health care markets.

Biomedical EngineeringE-Team: BIoCervical Technologies Detection of pre-term labor through bio-impendance sensing


Sustainable & Appropriate Technology•CU - Boulder

•GEEN 1700 Introduction to Design

•Creating Appropriate Technologies for the Developing World

•MIT

•D-Lab

•Humanitarian De-mining Course

•Stanford

•D -School Curriculum Development

•Assistive Technology Development


• E-Teams from member institutions with ideas ripe for commercial development

• Evaluated based on the product or technology’s potential for sustainability and commercialization, the professional and demographic diversity of the team, and the project’s likelihood to produce social benefits.

• $1,000-18,000• Twelve to eighteen months in duration

Advanced E-Team Grants


The Glow-Bike E-Team from the University of Florida is developing a novel method to illuminate bicycles, improving nighttime riding safety. The bike uses electroluminescent (EL) panels, commonly found in watches, night-lights, and other electronic products. The panels are attached to a bicycle frame and wheels, providing a distinct light signature in the shape of a bicycle, making drivers aware that a bicyclist is sharing the road.

The Cooper Cooler, created by an E-Team at the Cooper Union, spins a can or bottle at high speed under a stream of ice water, cooling it in 1-4 minutes.

E-Teams generated from engineering courses


This E-Team has developed CameraMouse™,

a hands-free mouse control device. Invented

by a professor at Boston College and

developed by this E-Team, CameraMouse™

technology allows people with severe

disabilities to completely control computers

with slight movements of a finger, toe, head,

or any other body movement that can

register on a standard computer camera.

CameraMouse: University of Texas at

Austin


Xtracycle (Stanford Univ.) Cargo carryiung bicycle developed as “SUB” for sale and as a technology being transferred to individual entrepreneurs in Kenya through Xtracycle Foundation in collaboration with Approtec. (Advanced E-Team Grant, 1997)

Societal impact: Appropriate Technology

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.


UV-Tube (University of California, Berkeley) The UV-Tube uses ultraviolet light to create an inexpensive, highly effective method for disinfecting drinking water. The UV-Tube technology deactivates pathogens without generating harmful byproducts. Users can construct the UV-Tube from locally available parts. It operates passively, without extensive maintenance or monitoring.(Advanced E-Team grant, 2002)

Societal impact: Affordable technologies


Novel Open Ocean Aquaculture Cages (Univ. of Florida) The design of these novel aquaculture cages is based on inflatable flexible members that are stiffened when pressurized. (Advanced E-Team grant, 2004)

Societal impact: Environmentally beneficial technologies


• Strength of the commercial opportunity• Diverse student and advisor skills• Technical feasibility and appropriateness• Likelihood of producing social or environmental

benefits• Licensability or marketability of product or service• Demonstrated knowledge of market • Commitment- both individual and institutional• Faculty and mentor recommendations

Advanced E-Team grant evaluation criteria


• Summer stipends for students• Equipment and supplies• Expenses related to

•Performing patent searches•Creating market analyses•Developing product prototypes

• Legal fees for patent or copyright activities

• Project-related travel

Advanced E-Team grants fund:


Other ResourcesTo foster mentoring, help build infrastructure, and support and encourage the institutionalization of technological entrepreneurship programs, the NCIIA offers a variety of resources, from online and printed materials to technical and commercialization expertise, advice, and services.


NCIIA 9th Annual Meeting:

Dynamic Learning: Changing models for Changing Times

San Diego, CA:

March 20-22, 2003

Design for the Bottom of the Pyramid Pre-conference Workshop 3/16 on


NCIIA Member ResourcesOn our website:

•Curricular materials and database •Intellectual property policies database•Networks for access to

•R.A.P.I.D. prototyping•Assess - Educational Assessment•NCIIA Crossroads Social Networking tool


The NCIIA provides grant support for N2TEC, the National Network for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization. N2TEC is a National Science Foundation Partners for Innovation Project raising the level of innovation and technology commercialization in colleges, universities, and communities across the nation.


BME IDEA Competition

Seeking and celebrating the finest in student biomedical innovations

Sponsored by the NCIIA and Medical Device Diagnostics Industry in partnership with the Biomedical Engineering Society and the Biomedical Engineering Council of Chairs.


NCIIA Member Resources

Online student guides, also available in print. Revised versions will be released this year.


Information Inspiration Action

Contact us:

Phil Weilerstein, Executive Director [email protected]

100 Venture Way, 3rd FloorHadley, MA 01035Tel. (413) 587-2172 Fax. (413) 587-2175www.nciia.org [email protected]

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