19 Remaking the Innovator Imperative

Does America need more innovators? We posed the question to highlight how innovation has become a national imperative pursued through the transformation of people. Societal goals such as regional development and international competitiveness take shape through initiatives to make innovators. Contributors have shown that such programs are ubiquitous and pervasive. Innovator initiatives target all age groups and career stages, from kindergarteners to senior scientists. Innovators train in formal and informal educational settings, supported by public and private funding. The innovator imperative operates at all scales, from individual garage inventors to interdisciplinary teams, regional innovation districts, and global federations.