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Inventors' Workshop

What would life be like without computers, or antibiotics, or phones? Students will think about inventions that have improved our lives and then become inventors themselves.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Craft Materials
  • Recycled Materials

Steps

  • Step 1

    Ask the class to think about how life was different before certain inventions. How did friends and relatives stay in touch without phones or email? How did doctors diagnose and treat diseases? How did we make copies of documents or print books? Then have them brainstorm ideas for new products that could be created to make life easier.

  • Step 2

    Divide the class into small groups and have them choose a new invention to create. Have them sketch a design draft and decide how to build a prototype. Have each team member create one component of the invention. They can use recycled boxes, cardboard tubes, aluminum foil, and any other craft items they feel would help depict their product.

  • Step 3

    When their invention prototypes are complete, have each group present to the class and talk about why they saw a need for this product and how it would work.

Standards

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Read, reconstruct, and interpret the past. Imagine the future. Place oneself in various times and spaces and reflect on change.

SS: Science, Technology, and Society: Identify how technologies such as communication and transportation have evolved and how people have employed advances in technology to modify daily lives including health and economics. Explore historical examples and imagine future technologies.

Adaptations

Before the 1940s, virtually no home owned a television (which was a relatively new invention). Families passed the time with books, radios, games, and other activities. Challenge students to go 24 hours without looking at a screen, either on a smartphone, computer, or TV. Have them keep a record of what they did instead.

Ask students to pick an invention of their choice and learn about the life of its inventor and how the idea for the invention developed and came to fruition.