Instructional Guide

Invention Crusade

During this unit you are going to:

Explore how an idea becomes an invention.

Make an invention that will help a small child do something at home.

Junk Box Inventions

Make a list of 5 things you do not like to do at home.

Choose one of the things from the list.

Invent something to make it better.

Describe your invention to the class.

The Invention TimelineWhen was your invention invented?

Tell the class the invention you were given.

As a class, decide where each invention should be placed on a timeline.

Household Inventions

As a group, choose one of the objects on the handout “Household Inventions”.

What would it be like if the invention never existed?

Profile of an InventorLets learn some more!

Discussion Questions What characteristics did your inventor

have? Are they important for all inventors? What traits should you use for your

invention? What are some things the inventors

should have done differently?

Invention Museum

Choose your favorite invention from the “Household Invention” list. Bring it or a picture of it to class.

Put your invention or picture in the museum display.

DiscussionWhy were these things invented?Was there a special need or opportunity to invent them?Why is inventing so important?

Inventors who I.N.V.E.N.T.

Investigate the world around them

Notice different needs

Visualize creative solutions

Explore many different ideas

Never give up

Test their solutions.

Design Challenge

Design and construct a model of a product that will assist a small child in doing a household task.

Remember, design the gadget so that people with different physical abilities can use it too.

EngineeringDesignProcess

Step 1 – Identify a challenge

Create a list of things at home that are difficult to do as a small child

Step 1 – Identify a challenge

Step 2 – Explore Ideas

Things to consider while exploring ideas: • Who will use it.• How big should it be.• What materials can be used etc.

√ Identify a challenge

Step 3 – Plan and Develop

Draw a plan for your invention. Build your invention.

√ Identify a challenge

√ Explore Ideas

Step 4 – Testing and Evaluating

When you have a working model of your invention follow these steps:

– Test – Does it work?

– Evaluate – Why does or doesn’t it work?

– Modify – To improve your invention.

Make sure you write all your test, evaluate and modify information in your Inventor’s Journal.

√ Identify a challenge

√ Explore Ideas

√ Plan and Develop

Step 5 – Presenting the Solution

Turn In a group portfolio. Present your working model at the “Kids Better

Living Home Show.”

√ Identify a challenge

√ Explore Ideas

√ Plan and Develop

√ Testing and Evaluating