AISD ELEMENTARYINVENTION SHOWCASE 2013-2014

A L V I N E L E M E N T A R YC A M P U S C O M P E T I T I O N – F E B . 5 T H

Powerpoint by. B.Choules, Rev. 11/13

ALVIN ELEMENTARY INVENTION SHOWCASE DATES

Nov. 19th – Hand out campus packets

Feb. 5th – AE Invention Showcase Competition

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.”- Thomas Edison

An inventor is someone who creates something that wasn’t here before.

WHAT IS AN INVENTOR?

"When you can do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." - George Washington

FAMOUS INVENTORS• Richard G. Drew invented tape.

• Ralph Baer invented the first video game.

• Ermal Cleon Fraze invented the pop top soda can.

FAMOUS INVENTORS• Frank Epperson invented the popsicle as a kid!

• George Nissen invented the trampoline.

• Philo Farnswarth invented the television as a kid!

ELLEN

VIDEO CLIP

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KID INVEN

TORS

I WANT TO BE IN THE INVENTION SHOWCASE! NOW WHAT DO I DO?1.Ask your teacher for a packet.2.Think about what invention you

would like to do and come up with a plan! Remember inventions are about trial and error. Keep working until you get it just right!

3.Present your invention on February 5th at the AE Invention Showcase.

“Every child has a dream, to pursue the dream is in every child's hand to make it a reality. One's invention is another's tool... “ - Samuel Morse

JUDGING CRITERIA FOR INVENTIONS

1. Originality. The invention reflects original creative thought and provides evidence of no similar product on the market. 35

2. Value. The invention has practical value and can be useful to targeted market. 25

3. Inventor’s Log. The Inventor’s Log book accurately reflects the process through to the end result. 15

4. Presentation. The inventor is enthusiastic about his/her invention. 10

5. Design & Construction. The invention is well designed and constructed, made wise and creative use of available materials. 10

6. Display. The inventor has promoted the invention with eye-catching and creative materials. 5

Projects will be judged on a 100 point system.

STEP 1 – GET AN IDEA

Identify a Need, Want, or Problem. Look for things in everyday life that could be made easier with a different device. Ask the people around you about their needs, wants, or problems. Make a list in your inventor’s log and then pick your favorite to work on.

Brainstorm Solutions. Make a list in your log of possible solutions. List everything that you think of, even if it seems impossible.

Select a Solution. Look over the list of solutions and pick the best one. Keep in mind your abilities, access to equipment, and time you have to complete your project.

STEP 2 – GET AN IDEADo Research. There are 2 key points to research: 1) has anyone

already made your invention, and 2) information needed to better understand your problem and help you plan your invention. You must find out if someone already has a patent for your idea. If you use their idea, you are stealing their work and that is “infringement”. To find out if your invention already exists, you can search the US. Patent and Trademark Office at www.uspto.gov.

Apply the Research. Use your research to help answer questions such as; what kind of materials should be used? Are there any hazards to consider? Is there an easier way to build your model? Has anyone already tried and failed? What did you learn from them? Was anyone successful in a related topic? Can you use their findings to help you? Are there any important ideas to help you design your invention? Remember to keep track of all of your research in your inventor’s log.

STEP 3 – BUILD A MODELFirst, find a place to set up a “workshop” to keep all of your

materials, tools, and research during the process. Start by reviewing your research and begin with a sketch of your invention – labeling the drawing helps. Also write down a list of materials and tools you will use. Then start to create the model. There are 2 types of invention models.

Conceptual Models. These models show the concept of the invention, but don’t actually work. They are used if the idea is too large or expensive to do in full-scale, or if the testing would be unsafe, too expensive, or simple not possible. These models show how the idea would work.

Functional Models. These models are working versions of the invention. They are used to test the design and the materials used to refine the invention before the final product is built.

STEP 4 – TEST THE MODEL

Conceptual Testing. When testing conceptual models, the goal is to see if others understand your model and how it is supposed to work. Ask friends and family to look at the model and offer suggestions on changes you can make to better show your invention’s purpose.

Functional Testing. When testing functional models, the goal is to see if your invention does what it is intended to do consistently. You are also testing the materials, do they work each time? During testing you may find you need to make changes to the materials or design. Remember to write and draw everything in your inventor’s log

STEP 5 – FINALIZE YOUR INVENTION

The last step involves going back and reviewing all of your tests and observations, checking over all the changes you’ve made to your invention, and making sure everything makes sense. After all of that is done, it’s time for the final touches: add decorations, color, give it a final name, and put together your presentation for the invention showcase. Congratulations on your hard work!

GAMES FOR INVENTIONS/INVENTORSInvention Games: • http://

www.learninggamesforkids.com/social_studies_games/inventors.html

• iKids - http://www.inventivekids.com/games.html• Inventor’s Workshop Game:

http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/media/games/inventions/ • http

://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/balamory/games/balamory-inventiongame/

• http://www.tvokids.com/games/thinkbig• http://

www.uptoten.com/kids/kidsgames-mixedbag-inventionstimeline.html

"Man's greatness lies in his power of thought."- Blaise Pascal

INVENTION RESOURCES – BOOKS (AE LIBRARY)Mistakes that Worked; 40 Familiar Inventions and How They Came

to Be by Charlotte Foltz Jones. – Call # REF 609 JOHMarvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor by

Emily McCully – Call # E 921 KNIBalloons Over Broadway:: The True Story of the Puppeteer of

Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet – Call# 921 SAR

POP: The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy – Call# 664.6 MCC

Bright Ideas: The Age of Inventions by Ann Rossi – 609.73 ROSEureka! It’s an Airplane by Bendick, Jeanne – Call # 629.13 BENGreat Discoveries and Inventions that advanced industry and

technology by Casanellas, Antonio – Call # 609 CAS

Amazing Inventions by Ian Stevens – Call # 609STE

PLUS MANY MORE INVENTOR AND INVENTION BIOGRAPHIES!!! Check out our AE Library Catalog for more!

INVENTION RESOURCES - WEBSITESWebsitesChildren’s Museum of Houston: http://www.cmhouston.org/inventors-showcase/.By Kids For Kids: www.build-it-yourself.com Invention Dimension: http://web.mit.edu/invent/invent-main.html Invent Now: www.invent.org/index.aspUnited States Patent and Trademark Offices (for kids): www.uspto.gov/go/kids About Inventors: http://inventors.about.com/ Inventor Ed: www.inventored.org/k-12Academy of Applied Science: www.aas-world.orgPartnership for America’s Future, Inc.: http://nmoe.org/competitions.htm Celebrating the Achievements of Children: www.amazingkids.comBig Learning: www.biglearning.com The Kids Hall of Fame: www.thekidshalloffame.com ExploraVision Awards: www.exploravision.org Kid Inventors” Day Website: http://www.kidinventorsday.com/quotes.htm

“Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.” - Marie Curie

MORE RESOURCESP E B B L E G O D ATA B A S E• AE Library page

under Eagle Links• www.pebblego.co

m• Go to Biographies

– Inventors• Social Studies –

Long Ago and Today

V I D E O S• Benjamin

Franklin: Scientist and Inventor – Call# VC B Franklin

DID YOU KNOW THERE IS A KID INVENTORS’ DAY?

January 17th is K.I.D. or Kid Inventors’ Day!

• This is also Benjamin Franklin’s birthday – who invented the first swim flippers at the age of 12!

• Website: http://www.kidinventorsday.com/

BIBLIOGRAPHYMost information was used from the following:• http://www.cmhouston.org/inventors-showcase/ • AISD Elementary Invention Showcase 2013-2014 Additional

Information Packet provided by AISD.• Video linked from YouTube – http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSvMbK0x6cA . • http://www.kidinventorsday.com/.• http://mom.me/parenting/3937-best-kid-inventions-history/