3D printers, selfie sticks, smart watches. GPS, self-driving cars, YouTube. Imagine life without inventions. Believe it or not, these items were all invented in the last 10 years. Inventions, and the inventors responsible for them, are featured in a resource that encourages learners to imagine, to create, and to share their ideas. 

Concepts

inventions, patents, american inventors, inventors

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Organize a school-wide invention fair (or combine with the science fair) and have young inventors demonstrate their creations
• Invite local inventors to speak to classes about their experiences
• Have class members research inconvenient surpluses (old tires, burned out light bulbs, dead batteries, etc.) and brainstorm ideas for how these items could be repurposed into useful items
• Rather than using class time to read the 69-page packet, consider dividing the resource into sections and assigning as homework

Classroom Considerations

• Requires Internet access

Pros

• The colorful 69-page packet includes reading passages, profiles of inventors, games, worksheets, and activities
• Information about patents, licenses, and copyrights is also included

Cons

• Younger learners may find the reading difficult
• While the packet includes activities, worksheets, and information on patenting, no detailed plans are included 

Common Core

RI.3.2 RI.3.3 RI.4.2 RI.4.3 RI.5.2 RI.6.2 RI.7.2 RI.8.2 RH.6-8.1