WHITTIER – Río Hondo College has partnered with Lemelson-MIT to guide local students in all disciplines to become a new generation of inventors and entrepreneurs through its Bridge to Invention Río program.

The program runs from Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 28 and is available at no cost to Río Hondo College students and high school juniors and seniors. It will be held at Río Hondo College from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be led by College faculty members in the disciplines of business, engineering, physics and architecture. Students will learn how to form open-ended inquiries to explore solutions, develop interview techniques and communication skills, and generate business plans that cover pitching, prototyping and funding cycles.

“The Bridge to Invention summer camp will expose students to the problem-solving process that typical inventors go through to better their communities and learn about the invention process,” Assistant Professor of Business Eric Caesar said. “The program will break down the invention process into understandable, relatable, achievable and fun/engaging steps.”

Funding for the summer program is made possible through the Title V HSI grant, or Communities Uniting to Model and Build Regional Entrepreneurial Success, a federal grant created for Hispanic-serving institutions.

Business Management Instructor Marissa Young said she is looking forward to providing participating students with a structured and in-depth look at how to brainstorm, analyze and conceptualize new ideas within a team-based environment.

“Innovation and invention are at the center of progress, and by nurturing the creativity within our Río Hondo College students and local high school students, we empower them to become catalysts for change,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “Our partnership with Lemelson-MIT gives us the opportunity to provide students with unparalleled opportunities to explore, experiment and develop groundbreaking solutions to real-world challenges.”

For more information, including how to enroll, please visit the Bridge to Invention Río Hondo College website at www.riohondo.edu/invention or email cumbres@riohondo.edu.