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Invent It!
Learners explore invention and unveiling of world's first Ferris wheel, analyze photographs and poster of first Ferris wheel, and discuss engineering achievements of Ferris wheel, including how it worked, how it was built, and its...
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Tools, Technologies and Inventions through the years
5th graders will gain an understanding of how, what, and why people invent tools. This PowerPoint provides a complete description of what tools are, types of tools, why we make tools and what impact they have had on society. There are...
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Inventions Over Time
Explore the inventions of the past with a project on ancient tools. After reading an article about hunting during the Archaic period, the Late Prehistoric period, and the Historic period, kids fill in a cause-and-effect chart about the...
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Inventions in Everyday Life
High schoolers identify and solve problems as they modify the design of an everyday household item. They gather and analyze information and work in collaborative teams to create a design plan for a new product.
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Recycle Inventions
Learners examine the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci's flying machines and discuss when they were conceptualized and how they are similar to today's flight vehicles. They collect recyclables such as wood and foam trays and create an...
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The Growth of America's Production System
Students, assessing a variety of sources, explore the growth of inventions that were brought about by the Industrial Revolution. They analyze labor practices and philosophies within the history of the United States. A timeline is set in...
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How the Light Bulb Gets Switched On - The Evolution of Ideas
The creative process is the focus here. High schoolers make works of art that reflect elements of the creative process. They study the works of Robert Harris, and working as a class, they create a photo montage that includes images...
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Can You Build a Better Mousetrap?
Students use a variety of linked sites to research information about student inventions and contests that are available for them. They research an invention they would like to see become available. They communicate their results to their...
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Telegrams!
Students read and analyze original telegrams to learn about people involved in and process of building the world's first Ferris wheel, examine correspondence between inventor and engineer to understand planning necessary to build Ferris...
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Play With a Purpose
Students consider toys as more than items for playing, compare and contrast inventors and toys they created, and discuss purpose of specific toys, including whether toy was created for education, financial success, or both.
PBS
Inventions
Use this lesson plan to discuss inventions that have changed your class's world and have impacted society. Middle schoolers investigate important inventions of their time and design an invention in a simulated business atmosphere. Modify...
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Nineteenth Century Progress
Highlight some of the major players and progressive inventions that shaped the latter half of the 19th century. From Thomas Edison to Vaudeville, this outline of pop and tech culture provides an American cultural context. Note: Use this...
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Speaking and Listening
What a terrific presentation! It takes learners through a step-by-step explanation to create a new type of chocolate bar, advertise the product, and design a presentation. This is a creative way to get your class writing and thinking...
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Inventions 2: The Impact
Students explore innovators and inventions. In this technology lesson, students investigate the issues inventors face as they tackle new technology. Students design their own realistic needs-based invention.
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Scientific Method Project
Students apply the scientific method and create a practical invention. In this science lesson, students design an original and practical invention and present the idea to the class. Class role plays the part of a CEO and vote on which...
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Thomas Edison Timeline
Students research inventor Thomas Edison finding his discoveries and the challenges he overcame. They compile a list of Edison's most important inventions and their dates. They explain why they think each invention was important. They...
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Technology And Our Quality of Life
Eighth graders design a product or machine and determine the impact their invention has on a person's quality of life. They present their design and machine with a description of its possible impacts to an audience of peers and adults.
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Simple Machines
Here is a good four-page worksheet designed to get your young inventors thinking about a simple machine they could design and build. They must answer some basic questions about their machine, draw a sketch of their idea, and write a...
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Technology: Creating Introductions with Digital Cameras
Third graders discover how to use digital video cameras to record introductions of themselves for Powerpoint presentations. They decide what to say, which points to highlight, and how to interest viewers. Their Powerpoint presentations...
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Impact of Inventors
Students examine the impact of inventors on our world. In this science lesson, students are given a time line of the invention of familiar objects. Students then evaluate some kid inventors and decide if they would make investments into...
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Italian Renaissance (1330-1550)
Is your class studying the Italian Renaissance? This resource includes 10 short answer and essay questions about the artistic, scientific, political, and philosophical achievements during the Italian Renaissance. The first 3 questions...
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African American Achievers
Students complete research projects. Students research the achievements of various African Americans and their contributions to the world. They use various resource links on the Internet to become more knowledgeable about the topic.
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Inventions
Students study invention steps and design their own invention. In this invention activity, students discuss inventions and the process of inventing. Studnets write in an inventor's journal and study various types of inventions. Students...
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Social Studies: Thank you Mr. Carver
Students explore the life of George Washington Carver and his inventions. they discover his uses for peanuts and sweet potatoes and how his inventions are still in use today. Students write letters to Carver about his inventions.