What is EiPiC™?
Developed
by Dr. Frederic Bertley, President and CEO of COSI, EiPiC provides an
engaging and hands-on operational framework for students to learn about the
field of intellectual property and entrepreneurship.
Why
EiPiC™
The security of intellectual property (IP) underpins much of the economic
activity that drives growth and progress. Without adequate enforcement of
patents, trademarks, and copyrighting, societies face diminished consumer
confidence, economic vitality, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship.
At the global level, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the
United Nations agency dedicated to the use of intellectual property as a means
of stimulating innovation and creativity.
Why is it important to strengthen IP knowledge among grade schools and secondary students?
So often, elementary and secondary curricula include lessons on intellectual
property, but these lessons focus on the importance of respecting IP law and how
to avoid violating it; the lessons fall short of empowering the students to
protect their own IP with the mechanisms that are in place and enforced
nationally and internationally.
While these students are “only” in school, the precedent for youth-empowered
transformational innovation and discovery supports the case that this is not
only “a good time” but perhaps “the best time” to challenge, develop, and
harness the next generation of world changers and problem solvers. The precedent
is replete with the power of 17 to 27 year-old innovators, and psychology and
physiology support the observed trend.
An astounding portion of the world’s most innovative ideas were developed by
people between the ages of 17 and 27 (Einstein, Chad Jenkins, Marc Zuckerberg,
Serge Brin and Larry Page, Bill Gates, Jeff Han, Madame Curie, etc.) But young
people need a framework to foster their abilities and support their development
to logical fruition.
An Innovation Catalyst
By developing a youth engagement program founded in intellectual property
education, COSI will help students learn about owning their ideas. The purpose
of the EiPIC initiative is to engage students to work towards developing and
implementing innovative solutions to complex challenges. Empowering students to
learn how to pursue legal protection for their ideas at a young age is just one
way to foster innovative thinking and support the next generation of
entrepreneurs and inventors.
This training and awareness is sorely lacking in undergraduate institutions
around the world and yet this is precisely the time to engage students in
thoughtful reflection around and pursuit of innovation and IP protection.
EiPiC is an extracurricular activity for Grade 11 students. EiPiC has 4 main components:
COSI will collaborate with the STEM Unit and ISF to
encourage the participation of scientists and
engineers as facilitators selected based on their
ability to draw on personal experience in IP and
patent application, expertise in relevant fields of
interest and dynamic leaderships skills.
Four fundamental pieces will form the basis of the EiPIC framework
A basic STEM workshop for students, facilitated by local and international innovators who have proven records of success in developing and securing protection for their own intellectual property;
An introduction to intellectual property law, provided by IP experts over the course of the week, and one-on-one meetings between students and IP experts to provide individualized guidance and support;
A short workshop on the pathways from a developed concept and product to the development of a business model. This workshop will be facilitated by experts in small start-up design and venture capital consideration and solicitation;
Infrastructure support for EiPIC will be crucial for its success. The availability of a constant stream of innovators and experts in diverse STEM areas as well as a physical space where students can work will be instrumental in ensuring the capacity to go from idea to praxis.
Anticipated Outcomes
EiPiC has 4 main components:
COSI will invite scientists and engineers to join
the
program as facilitators selected based on their
ability
to draw on personal experience in IP and patent
application, expertise in relevant fields of
interest
and dynamic leadership skills.
Four fundamental pieces will form the basis of the EiPIC framework
A basic STEM workshop for students, facilitated by local and international innovators who have proven records of success in developing and securing protection for their own intellectual property;
An introduction to intellectual property law, provided by IP experts over the course of the week, and one-on-one meetings between students and IP experts to provide individualized guidance and support;
A short workshop on the pathways from a developed concept and product to the development of a business model. This workshop will be facilitated by experts in small start-up design and venture capital consideration and solicitation;
Infrastructure support for EiPIC will be crucial for its success. The availability of a constant stream of innovators and experts in diverse STEM areas as well as a physical space where students can work will be instrumental in ensuring the capacity to go from idea to praxis.
Anticipated Outcomes
Application Process for American students forthcoming.
EiPiC has 4 main components:
COSI will invite scientists and engineers to join
the
program as facilitators selected based on their
ability
to draw on personal experience in IP and patent
application, expertise in relevant fields of
interest
and dynamic leadership skills.
Four fundamental pieces will form the basis of the EiPIC framework
A basic STEM workshop for students, facilitated by local and international innovators who have proven records of success in developing and securing protection for their own intellectual property;
An introduction to intellectual property law, provided by IP experts over the course of the week, and one-on-one meetings between students and IP experts to provide individualized guidance and support;
A short workshop on the pathways from a developed concept and product to the development of a business model. This workshop will be facilitated by experts in small start-up design and venture capital consideration and solicitation;
Infrastructure support for EiPIC will be crucial for its success. The availability of a constant stream of innovators and experts in diverse STEM areas as well as a physical space where students can work will be instrumental in ensuring the capacity to go from idea to praxis.
Anticipated Outcomes
Application Process for Canadian students forthcoming.
Intellectual Property Videos
Additional Science Video Resources
Check out our Emmy Award winning science shows:
The animated videos "Dr. B. in 3" and our prime-time TV show with PBS, "QED with Dr. B."
