Want to teach kids and teens what intellectual property is and how to respect it? The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has resources to help. Their Office of Education and Outreach has resources for children and teens that explore innovation and the copyrights, trademarks, and patents that protect it.
Visit the website here. Available resources include downloadable Build/Make Invention projects, activities hosted by the USPTO, downloadable wallpaper, educational videos, and links to other IP resources. Parents and teachers can access IP resources specifically designed for Elementary, Middle, and High School kids. Parents and teachers can access IP resources specifically designed for elementary, middle, and high school kids. Selected ones are listed below
Coloring books:
- USPTO Ms. Pat Pending Coloring Book – Easy Level (PDF)
- USPTO Inventors Coloring Book – Easy Level (PDF)
- USPTO T. Markey Coloring Book – Easy Level (PDF)
Maker projects:
- USPTO Make Your Own Mechanical Grasper – Medium Level (PF)
- USPTO Model Rocket Making and Launching Activity – Medium Level (PDF)
- USPTO Make Your Own Animated Film Flipbook – Medium Level (PDF)
- USPTO Make Your Own Container – Medium Level (PDF)
- USPTO Make Your Own Lung Model – Medium Level (PDF)
Activities:
- USPTO Spot the Invention Activity – Teens
- USPTO Trademark Activity Book – Medium Level (PDF)
- USPTO How Sound Travels – Teens (PDF)
- Inspired by Nature – Biomimicry – Medium Level and Teens (PDF)
Beyond the USPTO, parents and teachers might want to check out these two sets of lessons:
- Building Respect for Copyright – supported by funds-in-trust provided by the Republic of Korea, consists of five units designed for children aged 10 to 15 years. The site is available in English and Spanish. Downloadable Teacher’s Support Notes
- Building Respect for Trademarks – supported by funds-in-trust provided by the Japan Patent Office, offers three units for young people aged 14 to 19 years, focused on the role of trademarks in modern society and the creativity which goes into the development of brands.
All of these great finds are in our “Intellectual Property Law” featured resources for October. Questions about IP? Contact Karen Kitchens, Wyoming State Library State Publications Librarian, at karen.kitchens@wyo.gov or (307) 777-7281.