The National Summer Teacher Institute (NSTI) is a multi-day professional development training opportunity designed to support elementary, middle, and high school teachers as they increase their knowledge of concepts of making, inventing, and intellectual property (IP) creation and protection. 

NSTI is designed to help teachers inspire the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. The program is open to eligible K-12 teachers nationwide. It combines experiential training tools, practices, and project-based learning models.

NSTI 2023 will take place in person July 16-21, 2023, in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Deadline to Apply: March 31, 2023

Learn More: https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/kids-educators/nsti

The central focus of NSTI is to create and protect IP —this includes inventions, knowledge discovery, creative ideas, and expressions of the human mind that may have commercial value and are protectable under patent, trademark, copyright, or trade secret laws. IP is modeled as both a teaching and learning platform to help inspire and motivate student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, computer science, and other fields of study, such as innovation and entrepreneurship. 

NSTI presentation speakers and hands-on workshop instructors include experts from the USPTO, noted scientists and engineers, entrepreneurs, and representatives from other federal government agencies and non-profit organizations.

Participants are introduced to teacher-friendly materials designed to enhance student learning and inspire the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers.

If you have questions regarding National Summer Teacher Institute, visit the NSTI FAQ webpage or contact NSTI_Applications@uspto.gov.

*If selected, the flight and lodging are covered for the duration of the program for teachers residing more than 50 miles from the NSTI venue in St. Louis, MO. The teachers who reside less than 50 miles from the NSTI venue will receive all the benefits of the program except travel and lodging support. Federal travel rules apply.