New Global Innovation Guide Helps Young People Turn Ideas into Action

The Smithsonian Science Education Center in collaboration with IAP has released a new Innovation! guide designed to help young people explore real challenges and develop solutions grounded in science.

The guide is part of the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals series and supports youth aged 11 to 18 in understanding how innovation works in practice. Through hands-on learning and guided inquiry, students are encouraged to investigate issues in their communities and apply scientific thinking to design meaningful solutions.

Innovation is not presented as a single moment of discovery, but as a process that involves curiosity, testing ideas as well as learning from evidence. The guide helps learners build confidence in their ability to address complex issues, including those related to sustainability and community resilience. By connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences, it supports the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for future generations.

The resource is freely available and designed for use in classrooms, after-school programmes and community settings worldwide. Educators and facilitators can adapt the activities to local contexts, making the guide accessible across different regions and learning environments.

To support the launch, a webinar will be hosted introducing the guide, offering educators and stakeholders the opportunity to learn how the materials can be used and how innovation can be taught in ways that engage young people directly.

Join the Webinar

Tuesday, May 19, at 8:30 AM AST/3:30 PM EST
Register here

Access the Publication

Innovation! How can we create new solutions for the changing climate?