Overview and Background: Unit: Inventors and Their Inventions

 

Peggy Gregory : Cheney USD 268

Technology. : Technology : Technology

Cheney : Grades 8 - 8 : Aug. - Jun.

 

Title:

Inventors and Their Inventions

Topics:

Inventors, Economics, Change

Time Frame:

 

Start Date:

-

Status:

Draft

Date Revised:

 

 

Other Designers:

 

Summary:
In this activity, students will trace everyday objects back through history and then design a PowerPoint presentation to share with elementary students.

 

Print Materials Needed:
Titles by Henry Petroski:
-Engineers of Dreams
-The Evolution of Useful Things
-The Pencil
-Remaking the World
Encyclopedias
Books devoted to the invention of everyday objects
U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 15,2001

Resources:
Internet Access

 

Resource Attachments:

http://www.cheney268.com/Rubrics/PresentationRubric.htm

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1:http://www.cbc4kids.ca/general/the-lab/history-of-invention/default.html
Link 2:http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/Science/Inventors/index.htm
Link 3:http://www.150.si.edu/150trav/remember/amerinv.htm
Link 4:http://http://www.invent.org/
Link 5:http://kevdb.infospace.com/info/kevdb?KCFG=dmoz&otmpl=dmoz/dmoz-out.htm&qk=50&qcat=Top/Games/Board_Games/Trivia_and_Word_Games/Inventions_Trivia&uniq=3084

 

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

 

State:

Local Standard      

Title:

Instructional Technology

Standard(s):

Instructional Technology:
1.1.7d Uses the scanner to capture graphics and text.
3.4.7 Uses imaging devices, including scanners, digital cameras and video cameras.
5.1.7a Cuts and pastes information from online sources.

Uses a storyboard to create a PowerPoint presentation.

 

Understandings:

user

Some everyday objects are the result of research by their inventors, and some come about accidentally.
Many everyday objects have developed over time from one design to another.
Some inventors have a big impact on history.

 

Essential Questions:

User

Why do objects come about?
Did someone set out to make it, or did an accident of sorts inspire the inventor?
Has the object changed over time and why?
What economic and social impacts may be the result of this invention?
How many are made each year, and how many people are involved in making it?
Why do inventions change over time?
How have inventions changed people's lives?

 

Knowledge and Skills:

K
Inventions are sometimes created for a specific need.
Objects develop over time.
Inventions change as needs change.
Inventions have economic impacts.

S
Independently trace objects back through history Create a PowerPoint project about the origin and development of inventions for presentation to elementary students.

 

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

 

Assessment Summary:
Performance Task
Students will create a PowerPoint presentation about the origin and development of inventions we wouldn't want to be without.

Students will role-play the inventor of their choice. They will demonstrate the invention and explain why and how it developed over time.

Key Criteria
Accurate information clearly expressed; carefully selected and arranged illustration; no errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

 

Task/Prompt: Invention Museum

 

Type: Performance Task

Topics: Inventors, Economics, Change

 

Summary:
Students will create a PowerPoint presentation about the origin and development of an invention.

 

Print Materials Needed:

 

Resources:

 

Resource Attachments:

 

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1: http://
Link 2: http://
Link 3: http://
Link 4: http://
Link 5: http://

 

 

Notes:

 

Student Directions:
You are a historian. You will need to select and trace the history of an object back to discover its origin. Plan and create your presentation using a storyboard. Design a PowerPoint project about the origin and development of your invention to share with other historians.



 

 

Other assessment evidence to be collected:

Product check

 

Students redesign a backpack to come up with an entirely different object to better meet the needs of the person who carries many books.

Identify an everyday problem and design a product to solve the problem.
 

 

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

 

Learning Activities:

W
KWL chart

H
Display of everyday objects such as zipper, Velcro, stapler, self-sticking note paper, etc.

E
Brainstorm (using round table) to make list of everyday objects they may be curious about. The objects displayed will help them to think of others. Make a master list of all objects on the board. Students will choose from this list an everyday object they want to study.

Students will answer questions about each everyday object for study. They may use encyclopedias, on-line resources or special books devoted to the invention of everyday objects. Students will develop their invention projects by creating a storyboard.

Give students an idea of how they might illustrate their projects: Photocopying or copying from the internet, pictures of the objects as it appeared originally and as it appears now. Sketching the object as it appeared originally and as it appears now. Photographing the object as it appears now.

R
Students will present their storyboards to the class. Classmates are encouraged to evaluate and make suggestions before the students create their final product.


E
Students create a PowerPoint project about their invention they researched.
Students will share their invention presentation with a class of elementary students.

 

 

Notes:

Adapted from Jeffery Leaf, technology teacher, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia