latest –greatest inventor lesson plan greatest inventor lesson plan

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LATEST –GREATEST INVENTOR LESSON PLAN
The Inspirational Contributions of Minority Inventors
About ingenious
ingenious things we would not want to live
without
without invented by minority inventors…
Jan Ernst Matzeliger
invented a shoemaking
machine that increased
shoemaking speed by
900%.
Ellen Ochoa invented
optical analysis
systems. In addition to
being an inventor, Dr.
Ellen Ochoa is also a
research scientist and
astronaut for NASA.
Spencer Rocco Whale, age 8
from Pennsylvania developed
a series of hospital-related
products that make a child’s
stay more enjoyable. Among
his products are ride toys
that have I.V. poles attached
allowing the young patients
undergoing I.V. treatments to
still ride around the hospital in toy cars in trucks. Spencer
has been featured on the Montel Williams Show, and his
ride toys are now being used in a Pittsburgh area hospital.
Janet Song (age 16) and Benjamin Song (15) from
Audubon, PA developed a
simple test which can
potentially revolutionize
cancer screening, early
detection, and disease
management of cancer.
Johnny Bodylski from Santa Ana, CA
invented the Rain Watchdog at age 8.
His mother noticed that someone had
left the sprinkler on while it was
raining. Johnny solved this problem
with his invention which automatically
turns off a water sprinkler when it begins raining and
turns it on when the water evaporates.
Thomas Edison invented
the light bulb, but it was
Lewis Howard Latimer's
that invented the carbon
filament for Edison's
bulb, solving two major
flaws: the bulb didn't last
very long and it had a
tendency to shatter
when it got too hot.
In 1897, African-American
inventor Alfred Cralle
patented the first ice
cream scoop.
LATEST – GREATEST INVENTOR - LESSON PLAN
About ingenious things we would not want to live without invented by
minority inventors…(Continued)
inventors…(Continued)
George Washington Carver
designed the concept of a
moveable school, with
teachers and equipment
traveling to remote areas to
instruct the poor in
agriculture and nutrition.
Flossie Wong-Staal, a
Chinese-American scientist,
is a leader in AIDS research.
Working with a team, she
helped to discover the
virus that causes AIDS and
a related virus that causes
cancer. She also did the
first mapping of HIV's
genes.
Images/Inventor details found on:
http://www.nmoe.org/
http://www.blackinventor.com
In the mid-1980s, a twelveyear old girl developed an
invention that greatly
helped people who have
difficulty communicating.
Rachel Zimmerman of
Ontario, Canada created a
software program using
Blissymbols: symbols that enable non-speaking
people, such as those with severe physical
disabilities like cerebral palsy, to communicate.
The program user communicates by pointing to
various symbols on a page or board through the
use of a special touch pad. When the user touches
the symbols, Zimmerman's "Blissymbol Printer"
translates them into a written language. In this
way, the user can record his or her thoughts or
communicate via e-mail.
Zimmerman's system of communication started
out as a project for a school science fair, but it
ended up competing at the World Exhibition of
Achievement of Young Inventors, winning a silver
medal at the Canada-wide contest. The program
also won the YTV Television Youth Achievement
Award.
With a Master’s Degree in
Nucleur Engineering and
many inventions under his
belt, Lonnie Johnson’s
most fun invention had to
be the pressurized water
gun he invented that was
safe enough for children.
Originally known as the
Power Drencher, the gun was later renamed the
Super Soaker.
Did you know that there
was a famous woman
inventor who obtained
more than one hundred
and twenty-five
patents? Her name was
Giuliana Tesoro, and she
helped to make great
strides in the field of
fiber and textile
chemistry.
Through her work and
research, she developed
processes to prevent
static accumulation in
synthetic fibers,
designed flame-resistant
fibers, pioneered
improved permanent
press properties for
textiles and discovered
ways to make new
manufacturing projects
run at peak operation
and efficiency.
http://madamenoire.com
http://inventors.about.com
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LATEST – GREATEST INVENTOR - LESSON PLAN
We have covered only a few of the many minority inventors. Now students, it’s your turn for a little
research! Can you find another invention from a minority inventor? When and where was it
invented and by whom? What problem did it solve?
Invention:
Date of Invention:
Inventor’s Name:
Age of Inventor (when 1st invented):
Country of Origin:
Name of Invention:
Description of Invention:
LOOK at
Some of the Other
Great Inventions!
RESEARCH!
RESEARCH!
RESEARCH!
Where did you find this information:
http://www.women-inventors.com
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors
These won’t be the last great
great inventions…
The next latest greatest invention is waiting to be created!
2011 Just Think, Inc. - All Rights Reserved Just Think, Inc. www.just-think-inc.com
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LATEST – GREATEST INVENTOR - LESSON PLAN
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE THE… LATEST - GREATEST INVENTOR?
Within every industry there will be many ways an inventor can contribute (i.e. improve functionality, design
or delivery, create new devices, create new uses, etc.) What are some of the key ways an inventor might
contribute to your chosen industry?
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Before you get started looking for a clever idea, let’s talk about inventing!
Inventors invent by following certain basic steps – just like many other things you do every day. Like following a
recipe while cooking, brushing your teeth or tying your shoes – inventing is a process.
To help you get started with YOUR invention – just follow the steps below!
FIRST
FIRST – JUST THINK!!
Journal it!
The best way to come up with a clever idea or plan is to
BRAINSTORM! Brainstorming is thinking up lots of ideas. When
you brainstorm for an invention – you think of everything you
possibly can about what problems there are, who has them, how
to resolve them…just everything that enters your mind. Don’t
worry about every detail – just write down your ideas. You can
figure out the “how” and “what” later.
You can start by asking yourself questions (remember to write
down the answers in your journal):
Are you inspired to develop an invention that can benefit one of the
industries highlighted in this lesson plan? Which one? If not one of these,
which industry have you chosen?
What are some other problems you have noticed that impact the industry?
What problems have you seen reported in the news? Learned in school?
What about your friends, grandparents, teachers? Ask them to share problems they have noticed.
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LATEST – GREATEST INVENTOR - LESSON PLAN
Now that you're thinking about your industry....brainstorming all kinds of ideas...remember to pick a
problem you think you can solve - and that fits this program's requirements. Here is some information that will
help you understand the basic requirements:
1. You'll need to BUILD a prototype....not just have an idea...or draw
a picture...or conceptualize a system. This is a “Gadget”, “Model”,
“Functional THING” program/competition.
2. Your idea does need to SOLVE something...even though some
inventions are just plain FUN. We're looking for SOLUTIONS that
have a measureable impact on the world.
3. Every inventor DOES THEIR RESEARCH on the problem: Who has
the problem? What may have already been started to solve this
problem? How is the problem measured? How could the impact
of the solution(s) be measured?
4. Every inventor puts time in COMMUNICATING their journey. A
solution is only as good as its ability to “GET REAL”....and that only
happens if you take the idea out of your head...and successfully
transfer it to others. Your Student Journal allows you to create a
documented record of your invention from start to finish and
provides you an effective way to communicate your idea to others.
While you were deciding on a “problem” and thinking about the basic requirements, were you already
beginning to think about some possible solutions?
Use the SCAMMPER technique to brainstorm! Take your idea – then SCAMPER!
Substitute – What else could you do instead? Could you use other materials?
Combine – How about a blend of two or more ideas/processes?
Adapt – What is there already that helps with this problem? Can you make it better?
Minify – Order, form, shape? Could you make it smaller? Miniature? Portable?
Magnify – Greater frequency? Bigger? Longer? Add something?
Put to other uses – How else could it be used? Or where? With who?
Eliminate – What can you get rid of? Subtract? Condense?
Reverse – Will it work backwards, inside out, upside down?
These are all important things to think about when getting ready to make your invention. There really is a lot to
think about – but just like anything else worth doing – if you just GET STARTED you’ll soon be on your way to
becoming the an INVENTOR!
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LATEST – GREATEST INVENTOR - LESSON PLAN
SECOND – JUST DESIGN!!
Once you have decided on your favorite idea – it is time to start designing YOUR invention. Start by defining the
PIECES AND PARTS you will need to actually make it. You will need to think about what it will look like, how you
will use it, does it need directions – all the things that will help others know what your invention is all about, so
they can use it and help others learn how.
Here are a few questions to answer to get you started:
Is it like anything you already know about? How is your idea
different?
What are some names your invention might be called?
How will you use it? Who uses it?
What might it look like?
How will it operate?
When would it be used? Night or day? Warm weather or cold?
How many people can use it at one time? One, many, both?
Does your invention need directions or instructions? What are
they?
What problem/challenge does your invention help solve? How?
What materials will you need to make it? Do you have the
materials you need already? Where will you find them?
Is the invention simple? Cost effective? Durable?
Will you need help? What kind of help will you need?
Journal it!
You can draw or sketch your idea or simply describe it in
your inventor’s journal. And if you need to, you can
make up a set of directions. Don’t worry - this is easier
than it sounds. Remember - this is YOUR idea – so you
just have to explain what is in your brain. Write down
everything people will need to know – and that’s all it
takes!
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LATEST – GREATEST INVENTOR - LESSON PLAN
THIRD – JUST BELIEVE AND BUILD
BUILD IT!!
Now – you need to actually make your idea into a prototype or a working model, so you can see what it really
looks like and show how it really helps to solve the problem. Remember, try to keep it simple, cost effective and
durable.
ID E A
+
=
S U C C E S S !
YOU CAN DO THIS! Your brilliant idea has come to life on paper – now JUST BELIEVE AND BUILD IT!
Don’t forget the first thing you should do EVERY DAY and EVERY STEP OF THE WAY is write
down what you’ve done in your journal. Include the improvements, changes, trials and
errors, including the dates you made them. Record your changes, and initial and date them.
Journal it!
Your prototype should be:
A model or representation of how your invention would work if it were real and should be:
• Able to adequately illustrate to those learning about it how it would work if real.
• No larger than 2 feet deep X 3 feet wide X 4 feet high.
• Able to run on batteries – if there is a power source needed at all.
Your prototype may not:
• Utilize electricity AT THE FINAL COMPETITION (there is no AC provided/allowed at IC)
• Be larger than stated requirements.
Once you have built your prototype – TRY IT OUT!
YOUR invention may be perfect the way it is - but it’s OKAY if you want to change it - fix it - make it better!
Inventors rarely get it right the very first try…sometimes an inventor may build many prototypes before they are
satisfied with their creation.
The most known example is Thomas Edison's light bulb. How he had an idea...tried it...but had to believe in it
enough to suffer over 1,000 "failed" tries - before it worked! What got Thomas Edison through it?
HE BELIEVED!
HE BELIEVED HIS LIGHT BULB WOULD WORK!
HE BELIEVED IN HIS ABILITY TO MAKE IT WORK!
AND - HE NEVER GAVE UP!
ID E A +
=
2011 Just Think, Inc. - All Rights Reserved Just Think, Inc. www.just-think-inc.com
Page 7 of 8
LATEST – GREATEST INVENTOR - LESSON PLAN
How do you know if your prototype is ready?
Here are a few questions that will help you to decide:
Does MY invention work the way
I want it to? Can I make changes
to make it simpler to operate?
Make it to work better?
Does it look the way I want it to?
What can I do to improve the
way it looks?
Is it durable? Are there other
materials I can use to make it
more durable?
Can I enhance it in any way?
Make it larger or smaller?
Portable? Waterproof?
Remember the SCAMMPER
technique of brainstorming?
Look back at SCAMMPER
questions covered earlier in this
lesson to see if there are more
helpful questions.
If you decide to make changes make
sure to record your changes (failures
and successes) in your journal.
Once you have finished your prototype, make sure you congratulate yourself for bringing your idea to life and
for a job well done!
YOU ARE THE LATEST - GREATEST INVENTOR!
2011 Just Think, Inc. - All Rights Reserved Just Think, Inc. www.just-think-inc.com
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