Incredible Inventions

Overview:

Introduction:

Do you know how an everyday object such as Velcro was invented?  What will a vacuum cleaner of the future be like?  Who was Rube Goldberg?  You will learn the answers to these questions and more as you explore the incredible world of inventions.

Tasks:

#1 - Myth vs. Reality
-Choose one of the following inventions and brainstorm how you think it was invented:
        -ice cream cone, roller skates, Velcro, or your choice
-Use the 5Ws and H chart to record your guesses.
www.5ws_and_h.htm
-Then, research the real story behind the invention using these sites:
http://inventors.about.com/library/bl/bl12.htm
www.howstuffworks.com

http://www.inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa010500a.htm
-Use another copy of the 5Ws and H chart to record your research.

#2 - Inventor Bio-Poem
-Choose one of the following inventors and research their life and invention:
    Elisha Graves Otis, George Eastman, Fannie Farmer, Robert Goddard, or your choice
-Use the following sources:

http://www.b-link.co.uk/ckn/inventors/
http://www.cbc.ca/kids/general/the-lab/history-of-invention/default.html

-Write a Bio-Poem (biographical poem) about the inventor and invention:
www.bio_poem.htm
-Illustrate your Bio-Poem with things that represent this person and his/her invention.

#3 - Past-Present-Future Invention Book
-Choose one of the following inventions:
    -dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, typewriter, camera, fountain pen or your choice
-PAST:    Create a page in your book that includes an illustration of what this invention looked like in the past and write a description of it.
-PRESENT:    Create the next page in  your book with an illustration of this invention as it looks today and write a description of it.
-Use these websites to help you:
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa010500a.htm
http://www.cbc.ca/kids/general/the-lab/history-of-invention/default.html

-FUTURE:    Now create a page in your book of what you think the future of this invention will be - what will it look like?  be used for?  be made out of?  etc.  Be creative and have fun!!!

#4 - Rube Goldberg Invention
-Rube Goldberg was an inventor who took very simple everyday tasks and created a unique, elaborate way of doing them.  His inventions are quite silly and outrageous!
-Look at the examples of his inventions on this site:
http://www.rube-goldberg.com/
*Notice how he uses nature and animals in his inventions as well as various tools and everyday objects.*
-Now, choose one of the following simple tasks and create your own Rube Goldberg invention.  Label the steps and write a description of each.
*Your invention must consist of at least 8 steps.*
    -How to put toothpaste on a toothbrush
    -How to stick a stamp on a letter
    -How to sharpen a pencil
    -How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
    -How to give your dog food and water
    -Your choice

#5 - My Invention Book
-Create a book about your own invention.  It could be an invention that makes your life easier or more enjoyable.  It could also be a modification of an existing invention:  example:  telephone -> cordless phone -> cell phone.
-Use these headings for each page in your book:
  
Cover:  My Invention, Name of Invention:    , Inventor:
    A physical description of my invention:
    Materials that I need to make my invention:
    Blueprint/schematic of my invention:
    How I thought of my invention idea:
    Why my invention is useful/important:
    Procedure used to make my invention:
    How my invention functions:
    One thing that worked well in creating my invention:
    One thing that I would do differently next time:
-If you do not know the meaning of word in one of the headings, use www.dictionary.com to look it up.