Jacobson Institute

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Jacobson Institute Innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship curriculum and professional development for educators.

The Jacobson Institute at the University of Iowa is the creator of STEM Innovator® and BizInnovator® professional development and curricula for K-12 teachers. We help teachers infuse innovation and entrepreneurship into the classroom through our training, which is built on the research expertise of the University of Iowa and aligned with national education standards. We believe strongly that development of 21st Century Skills is critical to the success of today's students and our communities. To that end, our training equips teachers to craft the innovation model that works for their school and their community. These models connect students with community business/industry partners to work on real-world problems. These experiences expand students' skills and introduce them to the concepts of entrepreneurship. In addition, the Jacobson Institute holds the national Innovator Competition twice a year for high school students. Finalists pitch their ideas or inventions to our panel of judges, and winners are awarded seed capital -- up to $1500. Through the Jacobson Institute's Innovator Competition, more than $100,000 in seed capital has been awarded to high school students. In Iowa, the Jacobson Institute also offers summer Entrepreneur Camps for elementary and middle school children. The camps introduce the concepts of entrepreneurship in a fun, day camp setting. The Jacobson Institute is a part of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, which has provided K-12 outreach since 1996.

Cedar Falls DesignDash is just one month away!Educators, now is the time to register your students. Mentors, we need you...
10/11/2026

Cedar Falls DesignDash is just one month away!

Educators, now is the time to register your students. Mentors, we need you too. Sign up to help students tackle real-world challenges, build ideas, and bring them to life in one fast-paced day.

Register by October 14: www.designdash.org

We are thrilled to have Central Rivers Area Education Agency as a proud partner for this event!

New event added! Cedar Rapids, DesignDash is headed your way! We're bringing an exclusive, high-energy event to Cedar Ra...
10/07/2026

New event added! Cedar Rapids, DesignDash is headed your way! We're bringing an exclusive, high-energy event to Cedar Rapids Schools on Thursday, December 3 from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, and registration is now open!

We're looking for students, educators, and mentors to join us for a full day of fast-paced, hands-on creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. Whether you're exploring big ideas or guiding the next generation of thinkers, there's a place for you at DesignDash.

Educators: Register yourself and your students today.

Mentors: Your expertise makes a difference and we’d love to have you involved!

Sign up today: https://jacobsoninstitute.org/designdash


Cedar Rapids Community School District

Meet the Intern: Nate Heenan, a junior studying Finance and Accounting from Coralville, Iowa!Nate has been part of the J...
10/06/2026

Meet the Intern: Nate Heenan, a junior studying Finance and Accounting from Coralville, Iowa!

Nate has been part of the Jacobson Institute team for the past year, where he’s had the opportunity to build his skills in accounting and communication while working alongside people who share his interest in entrepreneurship.

Nate also grew up attending our DesignDash program, where he had early exposure to innovation and entrepreneurship.

We’re glad to have Nate on the team and grateful for the hard work and energy he brings to the Jacobson Institute!

A simple classroom moment turned into an invention, national recognition, and a patent on the way!Meet Jason Ahn, an Iow...
10/05/2026

A simple classroom moment turned into an invention, national recognition, and a patent on the way!

Meet Jason Ahn, an Iowa student inventor who created the ARE Board to make everyday classroom whiteboards easier and more efficient. With help from teachers, mentors, and the invention community, Jason turned an idea into a working prototype and kept building through every failure along the way.

Now, he’s nearing the finish line on his patent and continuing to explore what’s next.

Read Jason’s full invention story and see where curiosity can lead!
https://jacobsoninstitute.org/news/2026/10/turning-curiosity-creation-jason-ahns-invention-journey


Invention Convention

We're excited to join educators and leaders at the Iowa Technology Education Connection - ITEC on Monday, October 12, 20...
10/01/2026

We're excited to join educators and leaders at the Iowa Technology Education Connection - ITEC on Monday, October 12, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa!

Now is the time to sign up for our workshop, Tier 1 Student Opportunities through Invention Education: Access for Any and All Students, where you'll experience the invention process firsthand, explore free ready-to-use curriculum, and gain practical strategies for bringing invention education into any grade or subject.

Here's the info about the workshop: Monday, October 12, 2026, 8:30–9:20 AM CDT, Room 315.

Sign up for the session: https://sched.co/2TkaZ

Learn more about invention at: www.iowainventionconvention.org

DesignDash is coming up soon, and we still need mentors!Join us in Des Moines on October 16 for this one-day STEM innova...
10/01/2026

DesignDash is coming up soon, and we still need mentors!

Join us in Des Moines on October 16 for this one-day STEM innovation event, held in partnership with University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.

High school students will tackle real-world challenges related to cancer prevention and care, including stress, va**ng, sun exposure, water quality, caregiving, and processed foods. Mentors will help teams develop and shape their ideas throughout the day.

STEM professionals, scientists, researchers, and graduate students are invited to get involved. You do not need entrepreneurship experience, just a willingness to share your knowledge and support students.

Don't miss out! Register today at www.designdash.org

This October is going to be FUN! If you're here in Iowa, join us for a one-day Sprint to Invent Professional Development...
09/29/2026

This October is going to be FUN! If you're here in Iowa, join us for a one-day Sprint to Invent Professional Development day. Here's how Lewis Central Community School District is leading invention education in their area: https://jacobsoninstitute.org/invent/iowa-invention-convention/invention-models. We're thrilled to have a member of their team co-facilitating with us during the training.

Sprint to Invent Professional Development
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Iowa City, IA

Free professional development
Substitute teacher cost covered by us
Food and drinks provided
Free curriculum
Free for students to participate in the Iowa Invention Convention—local, state, and national opportunities

Register for PD at www.iowainventionconvention.org


Invention Convention

Today, our director, Dawn Bowlus, is presenting at the Iowa Business Education Association Conference!With more than 25 ...
09/28/2026

Today, our director, Dawn Bowlus, is presenting at the Iowa Business Education Association Conference!

With more than 25 years of experience in business and education, Dawn is sharing BizInnovator and Invention Convention with educators from across Iowa. We’re excited to connect with educators and see how these programs inspire the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.

Want to learn from Dawn and our team? Join us for one of our upcoming programs this fall.

DesignDash:
-October 16 in Des Moines, in partnership with University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
-November 11 in Cedar Falls
-November 20 in Iowa City

Iowa Invention Convention: Sprint to Invent
-October 14 in Iowa City

Learn more and register at https://jacobsoninstitute.org/

Now this is how you bring your invention era to school!Corey Brinkmeyer, a teacher at Linn-Mar High School, came to Spri...
09/25/2026

Now this is how you bring your invention era to school!

Corey Brinkmeyer, a teacher at Linn-Mar High School, came to Sprint to Invent PD this summer and is now bringing Iowa Invention Convention into his BizInnovator Startup classroom to help students turn ideas into real products.

And he even wore his Sprint to Invent shirt for Meme Day during Homecoming Week.

Educators, show us your "IN MY INVENTION ERA" shirts. Don’t have one yet? Come to our Fall 2026 In-Person: Sprint to Invent Professional Development to get one!

Be like Corey. Join us for Sprint to Invent PD on October 14.

Learn more at www.iowainventionconvention.org

Do you know an educator here in Iowa that would love to attend a one-day, interactive, hands-on day of professional deve...
09/24/2026

Do you know an educator here in Iowa that would love to attend a one-day, interactive, hands-on day of professional development? Please share this with them! Educators get to be an inventor for the day, walk through the invention process, work on teams with others across Iowa, and explore invention education in real-time.

One educator who attended this summer said "Hearing ideas from other educators and collaborating on how to bring invention to life in schools was the best part of Sprint to Invent Professional Development!”

Sprint to Invent Professional Development
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Iowa City, IA

Free professional development
Substitute teacher cost covered by us
Food and drinks provided
Free curriculum
Free for students to participate in the Iowa Invention Convention—local, state, and national opportunities

Register at www.iowainventionconvention.org


Invention Convention

Address

108 Pappajohn Business Building, Suite C102
Iowa City, IA
52242

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13193352204

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