About this resource
Students will consider the innovation process as a problem that becomes an opportunity. The students will learn about child inventors by exploring the 10 young inventors credited on the following website: http://www.greatbusinessschools.org/10-great-inventions-dreamt-up-by-children/
We will begin class with a series of questions presented on a large double sided white board. Students will be given Post-it notes and then asked to write their short answer responses to the six questions. Each answer will be placed on the white board next to its corresponding question.
The questions for free response are:
- Can you think of an example of something that came from one person's idea?
- Do you know anyone that has made their ideas famous?
- Do you have an idea for an invention, new game, food, tool or toy?
- Do you think you will ever follow through with this invention?
- Can you think of ways in which ideas have helped change the world?
- Were you ever afraid to tell someone about an idea that you had? Why?
After the students have an opportunity to share their responses with the class verbally, they will work in assigned pairs to research one successful child inventor. Ten young inventors are profiled on the website, including the inventor of the earmuff, crayon holder, water talkie and trampoline.
Each pair of students will explore the overview of the inventor's accomplishment and then further research the product and the person. They will create a Google slideshow that includes the following information:
- Describe the invention that this young innovator designed
- Explain what motivated the inventor to develop the toy, tool, food or accessory.
- Identify the qualities this inventor needed in order to be successful in developing his/her invention.
- Evaluate the invention's impact on society, at the time it was invented and today.
- Relate how problems often initiate creativity and invention.
The students can use images and text in their slide show, which they will present to the class.
Resources for research include:
- Subscription: KidsInfobits Gale Database
- Website: http://www.kidzworld.com/
- Website: https://www.factmonster.com/science
Curriculum & Standards
Related General Curriculum / Common Core Area
Language Arts
Related Curriculum / Common Core Standard
- 110.12: Students organize and present their ideas and information according to the purpose of the research and their audience.
- 110.13 Students (with adult assistance) create a display/presentation to convey the results of the research.
- 110.5 Students speak clearly and to the point, using the conventions of language. Students clarify research questions and evaluate and synthesize collected information.
What students will do
Students will be able to:
- Refine questions to guide the search for different types of information.
- Summarize main ideas found in information resources.
- Identify the purpose and audience of possible resources.
- Locate the resources found in the library or through the library's electronic resources.
Resources Needed
Student devices such as IPads; projector, white board, post it notes, subscription to an electronic database relevant for elementary age students.