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Invent2Prevent

invent 2 prevent

Program Overview

Invent2Prevent is an innovative, experiential learning program that challenges high school and college students to create and implement their own dynamic products, tools, or initiatives to address acts of targeted violence, hate or terrorism in their specific communities. Teams compete at the high school level for awards of $5,000 for first place; $3,000 for second place; and $1,000 for third place. Teams compete at the college level for awards of $10,000 for first place; $5,000 for second place; and $3,000 for third place. Top-place collegiate-level finishers also have the option to enter a one-year sustainment program.

Since Invent2Prevent’s inception in Spring 2021, more than 1,100 students have participated. Ninety-two high school programs have been formed across 22 states.  I2P programs have also taken place at 119 colleges and universities, including six HBCUs and 11 universities serving majority Black and Brown populations. Congratulations to the following teams for competing in the Fall 2023 competition!

Collegiate Finalists:

1st Place: Iowa State University (Ames, IA) – “MIND SPACE”

2nd Place: Middlebury Institute for International Studies (Monterey, CA) – “Project Gravity”

3rd Place: University of Nebraska, Lincoln (Lincoln, NE) – “Safe Space Nebraska”

High School Finalists:

1st Place: North Panola Career & Technical Center (Como, MS) – “Peer No Pressure”

2nd Place: Burlington Township High School (Burlington, NJ) – ” Ctrl + Alt + Delete Cyberbullying”

3rd Place: Louisiana Youth Advisory Council (Baton Rouge, LA) – “Thao, Pradeep, & Carolina

Learn more about the latest winning teams here.

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas gives pre-recorded opening remarks for the Spring 2023 Invent to Prevent Final.
Students from Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy presents their “My Room” project during the Spring 2023 I2P competition. They won 2nd place for high school teams.
A student from Passaic County Technical Vocational Institute presents their “Ending Instability” project during the Spring 2023 I2P competition. They won 3rd place for high school teams.
Bill Braniff, Director of DHS Center for Prevention, Programs and Partnerships gives remarks during the June 2023 I2P competition alongside Tony Sgro, CEO of EdVenture partners.
The high school finalist teams, Glassboro High School, Thomas, Jefferson Arts Academy and Passaic County Technical Vocational with their mentors after receiving 1st,2nd and 3rd place awards.
Samantha Vinograd, Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention, and Law Enforcement policy in the Department of Homeland Security, giving remarks during the 2023 Invent to Prevent Spring competition.
The team from Xavier University of Louisiana presents their project “Still We R.O.S.E.” during the June 2023 Spring I2P competition. They won 1st place for collegiate teams.
A student from Johns Hopkins University team presents their project “My Vibe Check.” They won 2nd place for collegiate teams.
The collegiate finalist teams, Xavier University of Louisiana, Johns Hopkins University and George Washington University after receiving 1st,2nd and 3rd place awards.
The Xavier University of Louisiana team placing in 1st with their project, “Still We R.O.S.E.”
The 1st place collegiate and high school teams, Xavier University of Louisiana and Glassboro High School after being presented their awards.
The McCain Institute hosted a briefing for DHS Senior Leadership, during which students presented their innovative project ideas to senior leaders for feedback. Brette Steele, Senior Director of Preventing Targeted Violence at the McCain Institute gives opening remarks.
Hala Furst, Associate Director for Strategic Engagement, DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships speaking with the Xavier University of Louisiana team about their project “Still We R.O.S.E.”
The Glassboro High School team speaking with a DHS Senior leadership official about their “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” initiative.
The team from Passaic County Technical Vocational Institute briefing a DHS Senior leadership official on their project ““Ending Instability.”
Students from Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy speak with Susanna Marking, National Campaign Manager for “If You See Something, Say Something,” U.S. Department of Homeland Security about her career.
DHS senior leaders as well as staff from the McCain Institute, EdVenture Partners, and Credence Management Solutions, LLC, pose with the students and faculty members of the six finalist teams for the Spring 2023 competition.
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The 25 universities fielding teams for the Spring 2024 semester are:

American University ● Arizona State University ● Boise State University ● California State University, San Marcos ● Delaware State University ● Embry Riddle Aeronautical University ● Indiana University South Bend ● Iowa State University ● Marshall University ● Missouri State University ● Montana State University, Billings ● Nichols College ● Quinnipiac University ● St. John’s University ● University of Arizona ● University of Central Oklahoma ● University of Maryland (START) ● University of Massachusetts, Amherst ● University of Massachusetts, Lowell ●University of North Dakota ● University of Rhode Island ● University of South Florida ● University of Wisconsin Whitewater ● Wright State University ● Xavier University of Louisiana ●

The 37 high schools fielding teams for the Spring 2024 semester are:

Agawam High School ● Amory High School ● Bronx Compass High School ● Central Park East High School ● Chesapeake High School ● Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts ● Clifton High School ● Concord High School ● East Orange STEM Academy ● Englewood High School ● Excel Academy of Roseland ● Farragu Career Academy IB World School ● Genesee Valley Central School ● Giles High School ● High School of Health Sciences ● High Tech High School ● Hillcrest High School ● Hulbert High School ● Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy ● Jones Leadership Academy of Business ● KM Global ● Michelle Clark Magnet High School ● Northern High School ● Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology ● Percy Julian High School ● Penn Manor High School ● Ridgeview High School ● Riverside University High School ● Rome Free Academy ● Salamanca High School ● Shaker High School ● The Renaissance Charter School – Elmhurst ● The Renaissance Charter School – Jackson Heights ● Toledo School for the Arts ● Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women ● Wantagh High School ●

The final competition for the Spring 2024 teams will take place in Washington, D.C. in June 2024 (date TBD.)

Please email [email protected] if you are interested in bringing I2P to your school or university.

Follow the progress of all I2P teams on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram @invent2prevent.

Of students believe they have a role to play in preventing hate-based violence or school shootings
0 %
Of students fear hate-based violence or school shootings
0 %
Of students see or hear expression of hate against minority groups at least once a week
0 %

**Students surveyed participated in the McCain Institute Peer to Peer: Protection Project

Program Objectives

Student teams participating in Invent2Prevent are asked to design, implement, and measure the success of a unique social or digital product, tool, or initiative that:

  • MOTIVATES or EMPOWERS a defined target audience to become involved in preventing targeted violence and terrorism.
  • LEVERAGES social media or digital platforms to drive rich engagement with a target audience and catalyzes a network to get involved in preventing targeted violence and terrorism.
  • PROPOSES a product, tool, or initiative with a strong call-to-action to prevent targeted violence and terrorism.
  • OPTIMIZES the sustainability and scalability of the project to continue its progression and evolution beyond the program term.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships recognizes the value of the I2P program and has provided full program funding to the McCain Institute, EdVenture Partners, and Credence Management Solutions to support teams in the program development process.

Follow us on social media for program and team updates throughout the semester. Invent2Prevent can be found on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.