An Invention Education Program for Grades K-12
Invention Convention Worldwide teaches students problem-identification, problem-solving, entrepreneurship and creativity skills and builds confidence in invention, innovation and entrepreneurship. The K-12 invention education program convenes a community of educators, business leaders, parents and students through competitions, events and a flexible, project-based curriculum aligned to educational standards.
Our Vision
We envision a world in which all young learners have access to innovation, invention and entrepreneurial learning to gain the confidence and skills to control their own destiny to help shape a better future.
Why Invention Education?
In today's K-12 classrooms, students are tackling some of the most complex global challenges of our time, like climate action, cybersecurity, water scarcity, food security and infectious disease. For educators preparing their students for the future of STEM, convergence education offers a transdisciplinary approach to real-world problem-solving and phenomenon-based learning. Invention education programs, like Invention Convention Worldwide, are one of the established practices to consider implementing in your classroom.
Invention Convention Worldwide elevates STEMIE (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Invention, Entrepreneurship) education through competitions, events and a flexible, project-based curriculum aligned to education standards.
Free Invention Convention Curriculum
The K-12 Invention Convention curriculum has been developed and put to the test by educators for over 30 years. As of 2025, it is used by 15K+ educators over 33 states and territories engaging with 200K+ students. It generated 33+ student patents.
The Invention Convention Curriculum uses a framework that follows the seven steps of the invention process. It includes introductory lessons to help students get started. It also introduces students to entrepreneurial concepts to get them thinking about what happens beyond the invention process.
Students complete step-by-step lessons to develop an invention that is original and well-constructed and that solves a real-world problem.- Identifying: Becoming aware of problems in one’s life or community.
- Understanding: Conducting research to identify a unique solution.
- Ideating: Developing a project plan for the invention.
- Designing: Deciding how to make the invention.
- Building: Constructing a prototype.
- Testing: Seeing how the invention works and revising the design as needed.
- Communicating: Writing about the invention and presenting it to others.
To have an access to the free curriculum, lesson plans, and more, please visit the website.
Terra Science and Education is the offical New York State affilate and organizer of the Invention Convention. Terra was founded in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for the improvement of K–16 education.
Mission
Terra Science and Education is dedicated to developing innovative young minds through project-based learning.
Our Key Initiatives:
We are committed to supporting those engaged in project-based learning with a focus on environmental and STEM education and constantly seek new programs and partnerships to enhance the educational experiences for students. Terra welcomes the opportunity to collaborate and tailor programming to meet your team’s needs.
- GENIUS Olympiad: A global competition where high school students from over 70 countries and 35 U.S. states come together to tackle environmental challenges through diverse disciplines such as AI, art, business, coding, music, robotics, short film, speech, and STEM
- STEM Fairs Program: Terra sponsors and manages six regional science and engineering fairs across Buffalo, Duchess County, New York City, Northeastern New York, Northern New Jersey, and Rochester, providing students with platforms to showcase their innovations.
- Terra Journals: Open-access and peer-reviewed, our journals include the International Journal of High School Research, International Journal of Undergraduate Research, and International Journal of Educational Practice and Leadership—providing valuable publishing opportunities for students and researchers.
- Gerace Research Partnership: In collaboration with the Gerace Research Center of the University of the Bahamas, we offer immersive, hands-on marine ecology experiences for all US and international educators and students in San Salvador, Bahamas.
- ACASU Accreditation: Terra recently launched the American Council for Accreditation of Schools and Universities (ACASU), which supports schools abroad to align with U.S. higher education standards by guiding them through a customized accreditation process.
- Terra Educational Data (TED) Solutions: Our unique data management software tools help educators manage data efficiently by streamlining processes such as student tracking, assessment, intervention, and registration, all aimed at increasing student success.
- Terra Grants: Capacity Building Grants provide $1,000–$5,000 to K-12 schools and nonprofits for sustainable projects such as robotics clubs, lab equipment, and technology upgrades specifically for non-profits and schools within specific counties of New York State.
- Terra Scholarship: Scholarship programs for SANY students include renewable College Achievers awards of up to $1,000 per year as well as automatic readiness and achievement awards based on Regents and New York State test performance.
- Invention Convention New York Affiliate: In collaboration with The Henry Ford, Terra provides professional development to teachers empowering K-12 students across New York to become innovators and problem-solvers. Through hands-on invention education, students identify real-world problems, design creative solutions, and showcase their inventions at local and statewide events, with the opportunity to advance to regional, national, and state competitions.
At Terra, we are passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators through project-based learning in STEM. We are excited to collaborate with you to develop programs that inspire, challenge, and prepare students for success using extracurricular activities. We look forward to working together to achieve meaningful educational outcomes.
Terra Science and Education is pleased to be a partner in the international STEM Learning Ecosystem network. STEM Learning Ecosystems bring together various STEM educational stakeholders to collaborate with each other to improve STEM instruction in their communities for students and lifelong learners in a mutually beneficial relationship which helps to stimulate local economies. STEM Learning Ecosystems include members such as school districts, colleges and universities, museums, educational nonprofits, businesses, and other educational stakeholders. Partners use their shared resources to develop STEM programs in their local areas.
Statement of Service
Terra Science and Education envisions a world in which all children and adults celebrate their shared humanity and seek the realization of each person’s potential. As we strive toward this future with a focus on STEM, Terra works tirelessly to meet the educational needs of the underserved and under-represented, including women in STEM, offering tools and support for students, their teachers, and advocates to establish justice and equality.
Transparency
Terra received Platinum Level Transparency Seal from GuideStar, a national non-profit data source to help givers find effective charities. The Platinum Seal puts Terra Science and Education in the top 0.1% of non-profits in terms of transparency.Terra consistently keeps its general management expenses (MGE) below 10%, which is below the national average for nonprofits (within 14-18% range over the years).
Dr. Fehmi Damkaci - [email protected]
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Dr. Fehmi Damkaci brings more than two decades of leadership and teaching experience in higher education.
He most recently served as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at D’Youville University. His prior
roles include Dean of Arts & Sciences and Director of the Center for Doctoral Studies & Research at D’Youville,
as well as Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Chair of Chemistry at SUNY Oswego. An accomplished professor
of organic chemistry, Dr. Damkaci has led initiatives in STEM education, academic program development, grant
writing, recruitment, outreach, and organizational management. He taught undergraduate and graduate-level
courses in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Nanomaterials for over fifteen years.
He holds an Executive Leadership Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Harvard Business School, a
Certificate in Higher Education Administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Certificate
in Public Diplomacy, Leadership, and Management from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and
Public Affairs.
Dr. Damkaci’s contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the SUNY Chancellor’s Award
for Excellence in Faculty Service; SUNY Oswego’s President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching and in Research;
the SUNY Oswego Provost’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship; and the International Educator Award from the
International Center of Syracuse.
Karen Valentino – [email protected]
Director of Operations
Karen Valentino is the primary contact for operations (i.e., Finance, Human Resources, etc.) and marketing inquiries as well as those related to the grant, scholarship, and fellowship programs. She is part of the management team at our regional science fairs, conferences, grants, and annual Genius Olympiad. She has more than twenty years of higher education experience in college teaching and management of programs committed to student learning and success. She was Assistant Provost for Special Projects at SUNY Oswego and directed major NSF and DoE grants to support the success of diverse transfer students and to implement special programs to increase retention rates in STEM programs. As Visiting Assistant Professor of Geology, Karen instructed courses in natural hazards, geology, and environmental science at SUNY Oswego and Jefferson Community College. She holds an M.S. in Material Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech and a B.S. in Geology from Temple University.
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Kimberly Arnold – [email protected]
Director of IC-NY and IC-Virtual New York Regional
Kimberly Arnold supports regional science fairs, summer STEM camps, and other K-12 Terra initiatives. Before becoming a team member at Terra, Kim more than 15 years of experience creating regional STEAM initiatives, building school and higher-education partnerships, and connecting students with hands-on learning opportunities aligns with Terra’s mission to inspire and empower the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. She previously served as Director of Education at the Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, where she led educational programs reaching nearly 19,000 participants annually and developed partnerships with schools, universities, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations throughout Central New York. Kim holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Environmental Science) and has completed additional professional development in environmental and STEM education through Cornell University and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
Mary Eileen Wood – [email protected]
Coordinator of IC-CNY Regional
Mary Eileen Wood supports Terra Regional STEM fairs and its affiliates, Terra Fair Fellowships, and MakerHallsSM programs serving schools, nonprofits, and regional Maker Faires. She is part of the management team at conferences, grants, and annual Genius Olympiad. An educator and nonprofit director with decades of experience in grassroots organizing, STEM advocacy, and science and engineering fair development, Mary Eileen has been the bridge in providing funding and educational support to our Terra Fairs network of regional science and engineering fairs. She has extensive prior experience in K-12 teaching, outreach activities for K-12 schools in the CNY region, non-profit management focusing on STEM engagement, and regional STEM fair development.
Ayse Altay
Tech & Brand Strategist
Ayse Altay is a software engineer and researcher with a background in computer and electrical engineering. She combines expertise in software development, data analytics, and system design to build practical and user-centered digital solutions. Her work includes projects in web application development, IT infrastructure optimization, and AI-based medical imaging. Ayse has contributed across academia and industry, developing secure, scalable interfaces and translating complex data into actionable insights. At Invention Convention New York, she supports the event's technical operations by managing digital infrastructure, ensuring the reliability of engineering workflows, and contributing to accessibility systems that help the competition run smoothly. Her work focuses on maintaining and enhancing the behind-the-scenes technology that enables a seamless and inclusive experience for all participants.
Please communicate directly with your region’s fair director, unless you have a general question.
Email (Kim Arnold, Coordinator of the statewide IC-NY and IC-Virtual Regional):
[email protected]
Email (Terra Science and Education):
[email protected]
Phone: 315-422-2902 ext. 101
Office Hours: M-F 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. US-EST
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