Inventors and Inventors Learning Activity Student Page


Hershey Chocolate Bar
Inventions and Inventing
A Project for Creative Minds to "Be Used"
by Howard Taylor, A Learning-On Line Learniing Activity

TEACHER TIPS
A Project Arrow Gifted Education for Charleston CUSD #1 Elementary Schools
Charleston, Illinois

Milton Snavely Hershey, Inventor
of the Hershey Bar
ATTENTION TEACHERS:  this is a comprehensive activity, that could take much time.  You may want to select components and use them to allow a more realistic use of the activity.  Have a good time with your kids in the Inventions and Inventors Learning Activity.  Howard Taylor

. . . In this activity, the student will do a series of on-line, or print activites to learn about the concept of "INVENTING," and the importance of inventors in society and a thriving civilization.  The activities will include reading about a variety of important inventors and their respective inventions; a timeline of the history of INVENTING; the INVENTION procedure; the making of an actual INVENTION; and lastly the trademarking, copyrighting, or patenting of an original INVENTION.

Students may work individually or in a small group to:

  • research several inventors and their inventions
  • explain the cultural and economic impact of the inventions on society
  • define and learn the special vocabulary for invention/inventor
  • explore the process of inventing
  • become an inventor by actually designing and implementing a new "invention/solution."
  • research the process of patenting the new invention
  • research and decide on a good way to "market" the invention/solution
  • present, through a verbal presentation with aids, the "invention/solution"
Procedures:
[This activity is very large.  Components of this activity could be used separately.  It all depends upon
class structure, level, and how much time you have.]
Students will:
  1. . . .go to the MIT Inventors Archive database of "Inventors of the Week" to read about  "5" entries. 
  2. . . .enter the Enchanted Learning Inventors site and view and read about "5"  inventors and inventions.
  3. . . .enter the Great Idea:Idea Finder and read about "5" inventors and inventions.
  4. . . .from these "15," the student will select "3" to complete a profile.  Print the Profile Form to complete this procedure.
  5. . . .join with a team of 2 other students and work on the perfect Invention, to solve a "need-problem" for people in their class or the community.
  6. . . .go to Inventors Games and see what famous inventors you know.  You may choose any game.
  7. . . .work some of the paper-version invention puzzles available in the room.
  8. . . .brainstorm within their group to think of the best "need-problem," and what could be invented to take care of it.
  9. . . .brainstorm again to come up with a written plan-of-action on how to actually make the invention, including the how-to's, materials and equipment necessary, as well as who would do what in the group.
  10. . . .make the final blue-print and descriptive plan of the invention, and bring in necessary materials/equipment from home to put the invention together.
  11. Students will research the concept of PATENTING through reading and visiting the U.S. Patent Kids Page.  While at this site, the various activities can be entered.
    BONUS ACTIVITY:       Study Samuel Morse, the telegraph and the Morse Code.  From this, construct two sets of working telegraph sets.  This is a small class activity with two groups.  The classroom will be wired to receive and send messages via Morse Code.  Memorization of the Morse Code will be encouraged.  Go Here for Directions.
For Assessment:  Teachers will complete this template for an asssessment on the student
"INVENTIONS/INVENTORS ACTIVITY"
INEVENTIONS/INVENTORS RUBRIC
 ACCOMPLISHED TO LEVEL: 
SOLUTION PROCEDURE OR STEP MEETS (AVERAGE)            
DID NOT MEET (FAILED) 
EXCEEDS (GREAT  JOB)
  • Completed On-Line activities


  • Brainstorming to come up with a "real" problem or need


  • Possible survey, or other means of coming up with the
          "real" problem or need


  • Brainstorming to come up with a possible Invention/Solution


  • Brainstroming to make a plan of action to implement the making
          of the Invention/Solution


  • Drawings and Plans (written) for the Invention/Solution)


  • Organization/Gathering of Materials/Equipment to make the
          Invention/Solution


  • An ongoing list of problems occuring in the process,
          as well as solutions and changes from the original plan
          (notes and anecdotal comments)


  • The presentation of the Invention/Solution to the Class


Total of marks for final Assessment



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