All I can do is preload them with deep, insightful, fundamental principles, help them to realize their passion, and help them learn to identify others' passions. Thus wired, their bioneural nets take over, and POOF they start to invent. The host of patents and prizes emerging from Slocum's Precision Engineering Research Group is evidence of opportunity and encouragement. Inventing Encouraging students with innovative ideas to become inventors is the purpose of this spring's SP.704 Turning Ideas into Inventions , a course taught at the Edgerton Center , which is devoted to hands-on educational experiences for undergraduates.
Compassion can also fuel invention.
Technology and Policy graduate student Amy B. Smith , SM '84, aims her inventions at the developing world. After a four-year stint in the Peace Corps in Africa, she returned to MIT to forge her talents.