Share this
Empower Students to Innovate and Make an Impact
If you're passionate about helping students grow into confident, creative leaders, the Young Innovators Program gives you a meaningful way to make that happen. As a teacher partner, you’ll guide middle and high school students through hands-on learning experiences where they develop bold ideas, solve real challenges and build essential skills. Students will also pitch their projects at the Mountain State Innovators Summit for a chance to earn funding and prizes totaling $30,000.
Why Get Involved?
Empower Student Growth: Help students in your school build confidence, leadership and creative problem-solving skills that last a lifetime.
Be a Trusted Guide: Provide encouragement and feedback as students develop ideas and prepare to pitch them at the Mountain State Innovators Summit, a statewide event that gives youth a platform to shine.
Use a Flexible, Ready-to-Go Program: Young Innovators offers a free, easy-to-integrate program with activities focused on innovation, entrepreneurship and community impact. You bring the support; we bring the resources.
Create Local Impact: Support young people as they explore how to strengthen their communities through innovation and collaboration. Especially in rural areas, your role can make a lasting difference.
How to Bring Young Innovators Into Your Classroom or School
Young Innovators was designed with flexibility in mind. Middle and high school teachers can offer it as an after-school or enrichment program or incorporate it into existing classes with permission from administration. It’s built to support project-based learning and helps students develop skills like creative thinking, collaboration and communication.
Click here to express interest in hosting a site.
FAQs
If you are currently a teacher in a 6th to 12 grade school in West Virginia, you can get involved by reaching out to us! Whether you’re a teacher looking to integrate the program into your after-school program or classroom, we’d love to have you.
Teacher partners are required to attend a 1-day orientation training prior to beginning the program (with stipend provided to cover costs to participate). We provide resources and guidance to help you feel confident in supporting students.
- Enrollment of at least 10 youth in the "Young Innovators Program" at the school site.
- Delivery of 6-8 lessons to participating youth by the lead teacher in the Fall 2025 semester.
- Delivery of 6-8 lessons to participating youth by the lead teacher in the Spring 2026 semester.
- The lead teacher taking a team of five students to participate in the Mountain State Innovators Summit from Nov. 12th-14th, 2025 as a school sponsored field trip; the student will remain in the care and custody of the school during this time.
- Distribution of student pre/post surveys in alignment with the program model.
As a mentor, you’ll guide students through a series of lessons through school-based sessions (6-8 per semester). Additionally, you will attend and supervise a team of youth at the 3-day Mountain State Innovators Summit.
Yes! We provide teachers with curriculum, materials, supplies, and other tools that can easily be integrated into your classroom or are robust enough to stand alone as an after-school club.
We offer a range of resources, including training materials, project templates and support from Young Innovators staff. Additionally, travel funding is available for teachers to attend the summer training and Mountain State Innovators Summit.
You won’t need to provide additional resources beyond your time and expertise. We’ve got you covered with everything you’ll need to help students succeed, including travel funding for the Mountain State Innovators Summit.
Yes! Teachers who participate in the program are eligible for a $1,000 stipend for their time and commitment to helping students succeed.