Page 88 - T-I JOURNAL19 4

736 COUCH ET AL. ADDRESSING THE GENDER GAP 737

Prior studies have identified a wide range of factors to invent while in high school, with an emphasis on Table 1. Summary of the Phases of an InvenTeam Grant Cycle
that contribute to the differences between men’s and policy considerations that are particularly important Phase Duration
women’s success in obtaining patents, including the for supporting the development of female inventors. Phase Description Months in weeks Activities Milestone
social organization of scientists’ work settings (6,7); The study is grounded in an understanding of invent- Teacher-focused phases
the expense of the patenting process (6); the need ing and in ways of thinking as an inventor, as detailed
for legal representation and access to lawyers (3,6); in a 2004 report issued by the Committee for the 1 Recruitment for Oct.–Apr. 24 Application requires invention proposal, April deadline
patenting behaviors of a parent (8,2); the effects of Study of Invention (10). We selected InvenTeams™, and submissions information on school, resumés of teachers,
exposure, such as growing up (or not) in areas that the national initiative of the Lemelson-MIT (LMIT) of initial letter of support from administrator, and
have innovative companies and universities (2); and Program, as our site of study because the program’s applications for statement of interest for invention projects
personal factors such as access to mentors (or social founder was a prolific inventor, its current faculty Excite Award
networks), family income, and race (2,6). Lack of director is a prolific inventor, and because the pro- 2 Finalists’ Mid-Apr. 2 LMIT evaluation of educator’s applications 35 educators
representation by women among degree holders in gram has a sustained fourteen-year history of helping selection by utilizing rubric receive Excite
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics high school students from diverse backgrounds (gen- LMIT staff Award to attend
(STEM) fields has also been identified as a factor der and race) develop working prototypes of their EurekaFest
that contributes to the gender gap (4). Statistics for inventions. 3 Professional Mid-Jun. 1 Excite Award recipients attend professional Invitation to
the year 2013 show that women accounted for only The LMIT Program is a sponsored program within development development during EurekaFest at MIT, Excite Awardees
15% of employed college graduates in engineering the School of Engineering at the Massachusetts view current year’s projects, receive feed- to submit final
(8% in mechanical engineering and 11% to 12% in Institute of Technology (MIT). Since the creation of back on proposed projects, and review application if
electrical and computer hardware engineering), 31% the program fourteen years ago, 229 teams of high guidelines for the final application they attended
of physical scientists, and 25% of computer/mathe- school students across the U.S. have received grants Eureka Fest
matical scientists—all fields that are known for patent of up to $10,000 to develop working prototypes,
generation (9). ultimately showcased at MIT during a multi-day 4 Summer work Jul.–Sept. 8 Excite Award recipients work with students Final
Calls for new policies aimed at remedying the capstone event called EurekaFest. Documentation with students to form teams and complete the final applications
gender gap among patent holders are often co-present of the program indicates eight phases of work for InvenTeam application submitted
in studies that give rise to the visibility of the problem. InvenTeams, as shown in Table 1 (11). 5 Judging Sept. 4 National jury review and ranking of 15 teams
The analysis conducted by Hunt, Garant, Herman, Historical records of InvenTeams demographics applications, and recommendations to selected for
and Munroe, for example, found that increasing for the nine years between 2008 and 2017 indicate LMIT for staff to make final selection $10,000
female representation in science and engineering that an average of 34% of the program’s 2,215 youth InvenTeam
would do little to change the percentage of women participants have been female, and nine teams have grants and
represented among patent holders, given the low been all-female teams. Figure 1 illustrates that the per- notified
levels of patenting activity by women with STEM centages of female InvenTeam participants increased
degrees (4). They argued for “early intervention pol- after 2012, and, though their numbers fluctuated each Team-focused phases with teachers, mentors, and students
icies” that would support the development of female year from a low of 23% to a high of 53%, they have 6 Invention project Oct.–Feb. 20 Grant agreements signed, procurement Mid-grant
inventors by providing them with career pathways in remained above the historical average since 2013. One launch cards released, communications and technical review
patent-intensive fields of study, such as electrical and of the 15 teams in 2017 comprised females only, and financial training for teams, on-site visits with community
mechanical engineering, and in patent-intensive jobs of the 196 total team members, 37.7% were females. from LMIT while teams iteratively build, in February
that involve design and product development (4)— Female representation among InvenTeams is higher test, and refine invention prototypes based
both of which are more common pathways for men. than the national averages of women in STEM and on results and feedback, and beginning-of-
Bell, Chetty, Jaravel, Petkova, and Van Reenen called female patent holders and is a reflection of the pro- year survey
for “extensive margin” innovation policies that would gram staff’s recruitment and strong encouragement
expand opportunities for youth participation in the for diversity among the teams’ composition during 7 Post-technical Mar.–Jun. 12 Final invention modifications and prototype Working
innovation sector and would expose young people— the application phase. Staff also attribute female par- review building, raise travel funds to attend prototype
particularly those from underrepresented groups and ticipation to the team-based nature of the program Eureka Fest at MIT, and end-of-year survey shipped to MIT
low income families—to invention education, inven- and the diverse roles that an individual student can 8 Capstone event Mid-Jun. 1 Team travels to MIT, showcase inventions, EurekaFest
tion careers, and STEM fields from a young age (2). opt into. Administrative, communications, finance, present to peers, meet collegiate inventors,
This study seeks to inform policy development and sustainability roles make it easier to recruit and attend seminars
aimed at expanding youths’ opportunities to learn students from diverse backgrounds who might be