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What Can I Invent That Will Solve a Problem
Encountered in Everyday Life?By: Karen Thada
A Problem Based Learning Unit for 8th Grade Science B at Tuttle Middle School
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Curriculum objectives Materials and Resources Investigations and activities Assessment
Learner Objectives
- Students will identify a problem or difficulty encountered in everyday life and create an invention that will solve the problem. Students will see several examples of successful inventors and become familiar with the inventing process.
- Students will use technology to research inventors and patents on existing inventions.
- Students will use technology to create a display board promoting their invention.
Indiana State Science Standards
- Identify some important contributions to the advancement of science, mathematics, and technology that have been made by different kinds of people, in different cultures, at different times.
- Identify the constraints that must be taken into account as a new design is developed, such as gravity and the properties of the materials to be use
- 8.1.8 Explain that humans help shape the future by generating knowledge, developing new technologies, and communicating ideas to others.
- Explain how engineers, architects, and others who engage in design and technology use scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.
- 7.1.10 Identify ways that technology has strongly influenced the course of history and continues to do so.
Technology Standards
Basic operations and concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.
Students are proficient in the use of technology.
Social, ethical, and human issues
Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.
Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.
Technology productivity tools
Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.
Technology research tools
Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.
Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools
Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions.
Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world.
Information Literacy Standards
Standard 1
The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.
Standard 2
The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently.
Standard 3
The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.
Standard 4
The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues information related to personal interests.
Standard 7
The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society.
Standard 8 The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology.
Standard 9 The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.
Teacher Internet Resources
- Invention Convention: http://www.eduplace.com/science/invention/guidelines/index.html
- The Invention of Velcro: http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa091297.htm
- President Lincoln’s Patent: http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blkidprimer6_12pres.htm
- By Kids for Kids invention site: http://www.bkfk.com/
Student Internet Resources
- Rube Goldberg: http://news.uns.purdue.edu/UNS/rube/rube.index.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/MadisonAvenue/Newsstand/7000/
- Inventions & Inventors A to Z: http://inventors.about.com/library/bl/bl12.htm
- Patents, trademarks, & copyrights: http://inventors.about.com/library/bl/toc/bl_independentinventors.htm
- Searching patents: http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html
- Absurd Patents: http://www.totallyabsurd.com/absurd.htm
Other Media Resources
- Videos: “Inventors: Out of Their Minds”, 1990, ABC/Kane Productions International, Inc.
- “Invent It”, 1992, Insights Visual Productions Inc.
Investigations and Other Activities
Project Description
Students will look at some inventions and inventors, briefly explore the patent process, then create and develop their own original invention to display at an invention convention.Project Calendar and Timeline
Day
Activity Materials 1 Watch video “Inventors: Out of Their Minds”, discuss answers to video guide – shows several inventors Video and accompanying viewing guide 2 Inventor Investigation – briefly research 10 predetermined inventors on the internet Laptop, worksheet 2 Ben Franklin activity – describes Franklin’s invention of the Franklin Stove. Worksheet 3 Absurd Inventions – look at some absurd inventions and discuss what makes a good invention. Laptop, worksheet 3 Watch video “Invent It” – describes methods to come up with an idea and shows examples of student inventions. Video 4 The Invention of Velcro – read the article that describes how nature inspired the invention of Velcro. Website or copied article 4 Brainstorming session – use a list of everyday objects and think of problems with using them, have students list activities they do each day and list what is inconvenient, annoying or troublesome. Try to have invention idea by the end of class. Brainstorming worksheet 4 Go over project requirements Invention requirements and proposal handout 5 Read and discuss article on patents, trademarks and copyrights. Website or copied article 5 Read article on Lincoln’s invention and discuss his statement on the importance of the patent laws. Website or copied article 5-6 Research existing patents to check for originality of idea. Laptop, patent search results worksheet 6 Inventor and Invention Team Journal Journal worksheet 7-9 Project building – students will have time to construct invention and display board. Various supplies to be provided by student 10 Presentations and peer evaluations – inventors will present and explain their inventions to their peers and teacher. Peers will have an opportunity to give suggestions for improvement before the convention. Peer evaluation forms and grading rubric
11 Invention Convention Presentation space, tables, etc.
Inventors: Out of Their Minds Name ________________________ Pd. ___Video GuideAs you watch the video, fill out the following table.
1. What was your favorite invention shown in the video? Why? 2. What are some personal characteristics that the inventors had that made them successful? 3. Why do you think the patenting process is important? 4. Why do you think Edison is considered one of the greatest inventors of all time?
Inventor Investigation Name ______________________Pd. _____Go to http://inventors.about.com/library/bl/bl1_1.htm and fill in the following table about some inventors.
Inventor Gender Nationality Invention(s) Year invented or years lived Archimedes Alexander J Cartwright Leonardo Da Vinci Robert Goddard Bette Graham Mary Kies John Pemberton Gunpei Yokoi Ralph Teetor Art Fry & Spencer Silver
Inventor Investigation(KEY)Name ______________________Pd. _____Go to http://inventors.about.com/library/bl/bl1_1.htm and fill in the following table about some inventors.
Inventor Gender Nationality Invention(s) Year invented or years lived Archimedes male Greek
Archimedes screw that raised water from lower to higher level 290 or 280 BC to 212 or 211 BC Alexander J Cartwright male American baseball 1845 (1820-1892)
Leonardo Da Vinci male Italian Helicopter, tank, many, many more (1452-1519) Robert Goddard Male American Liquid propelled rocket film cooling, gyroscopically controlled vanes, and a variable-thrust rocket motor, 70 patents all together (1881-1945) Bette Graham Female American Liquid Paper (1922-1980) Mary Kies Female American process for weaving straw with silk or thread. – first American woman to receive a patent May 15 1809 John Pemberton Male American CocaCola May 1886 Gunpei Yokoi Male Japanese the Game Boy, Virtual Boy, Game Boy Pocket and extensive work on the system we know today as the Nintendo Entertainment System. (1941-1997) Ralph Teetor Male American Cruise control 1945 Art Fry & Spencer Silver Males American Post-It Notes 1970s
Absurd Inventions Name _____________________ Pd.____Go to http://www.totallyabsurd.com/absurd.htm and read about some of the absurd inventions that have been patented. Fill in the table below with four of your favorites. Then answer the questions below.Now spend a few minutes looking at the following websites about Rube Goldberg.http://news.uns.purdue.edu/UNS/rube/rube.index.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/MadisonAvenue/Newsstand/7000/
Invention name Patent number and year Brief description What do you think? What was Goldberg famous for? __________________________________________________________________________
What happens at the Rube Goldberg Contest held at Purdue each year? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
List at least 4 characteristics of a good invention.
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
- _____________________________________________________________
- ______________________________________________________________
Brainstorming an Invention Idea Name __________________ Pd. ___“Necessity is the mother of invention”. This old saying illustrates the fact that many inventions come about when someone needs a solution to a problem they have in their everyday lives. Think about the objects you use everyday. What problems do you have with them? How could they be improved or replaced with something better? Fill in the table below to help you brainstorm an idea for an invention. When you’re brainstorming, put down all of your thoughts, no matter how ridiculous they many seem. You never know what it will lead to!
Object Problems With the Object
Possible Solutions Pencil Gets lost Lead breaks during class
Eraser runs out before lead
Attach it to binder Make pencil with larger eraser
Match Key
Instead of brainstorming about objects, you can use a similar idea using activities you do frequently. Try brainstorming some more ideas by filling in the chart below.
Activity What’s inconvenient, troublesome, or annoying about the activity? Possible Solution Getting up in the morning I sleep through the alarm Make an alarm that tickles my feet to wake me up. Getting homework to class Invention Requirements and Proposal
Now that you have learned about some inventors and inventions and done some brainstorming, it’s time to invent something of your own. Below are the requirements for your invention.
Your invention should be:
- An original and unique idea. It may be a variation of a current invention but it should be markedly different in some way.
- Useful
- Buildable
Submit a proposal to the teacher for approval by ________________. Your proposal should include:
A sketch of your invention, with parts labeled.A list of supplies that would be needed to build your invention or a model of it.
Build a working prototype of your invention. In some cases, a working model of the invention will be acceptable. It should be:
- An original idea
- Useful
- Working
- Well designed and sturdily built
Make a free-standing display board to accompany your invention. It should include:
- The name of your invention
- A labeled sketch of your invention
- A list of supplies used to make the invention
- An advertisement for your invention – it may include endorsements by those who have used or tried your invention, the cost of your invention, why someone would want to buy it, a catchy jingle, etc.