Inventor’s Research Project

Name: _________________________ #____

Due Date: ________________________

Parent Signature (3 bonus points) _____________________

Standards:I can conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic. (W.5.7)

I can draw evidence from informational texts to support research. (W.5.9)

I can write over time for research, reflection, and revision. (W.5.10)

I can present a topic using relevant facts, descriptive details to support main ideas and speak clearly. (SL.5.4)

inventors to research:Choose an inventor that you find interesting to research. You may choose one from my list or research your own. Please DO NOT research Albert Einstein, since we are reading a novel about him.• Alfred Bernhard Noble- Dynamite• Levi Strauss- Blue Jeans• Tim Berners-Lee- World Wide Web• Garette Morgan- Traffic light• Elisha Graves Otis- Safety Elevator• Henry Ford- Model-T Car• Madam C.J. Walker- Beauty and Hair Products• Johannes Guttenberg- Printing Press• Alexander Graham Bell- Telephone• Oliver Evans- Refrigerator• Douglas Engelbart- Computer Mouse• Tedd Hoff- Microprocessor• Richard Drew- Masking Tape• Josephine Cochran- Automatic Dishwasher• Marion Donovan- Disposable Diaper• Ruth Wakefield- Chocolate Chip Cookie• Mary Anderson- Windshield Wiper• George Crum- Potato Chip• Dr. Charles Richard Drew- Blood bank• The Wright Brothers- Airplane

Helpful Websites:1. www.sciencechannell.com/famous-scientists=discoveries/big-1

00-medicine.htm2. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Decade/genome-hormones-top-

10-medical-advances-decade/story?id=9356853

3. http://healthland.time.com

DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA! Wikipedia is written by multiple people and is not edited well. Wikipedia even says, “We do not expect you to trust us. We are not a primary source, because some articles may contain errors.”

Steps:Step 1: Research an inventor that interests you. While researching, focus on one invention that that inventor created. We will spend 2-3 days researching in class, the rest of the project should be completed at home. (If you do not have access to a computer at home, you may go to the public library to use the computer or check out books. Students may come to my room in the morning, during recess, or use our library during those times.)

Step 2: Advertise Your Invention.• You are to pretend that you are the inventor you’re

researching. You are trying to persuade people to buy your invention. (For example, if you’re Thomas Edison, you could persuade your audience to buy his new light bulb.)

• Choose how you want to advertise your invention. You can create a brochure, billboard, or make a commercial. The brochure should be created using paper; the billboard should be created using large poster board, and the commercial can be videotaped using a smart phone or camera. If you choose to do a commercial, please send the video on a Flash Drive.

• Title your advertisement.• Include your name on the front.• Please include at least 5 images. The images can be

drawn. Your pictures should include pictures of your invention and of “you” (the inventor). (If you’re doing a commercial, you can hold up pictures or use props).

• Your brochure or poster should be very colorful and neat.• You should include 6 or more sentences explaining why

someone should buy your invention. (If you’re doing a commercial, you should orally explain why someone should buy your invention in at least 6 sentences).

• Bibliography should be included on the back of the brochure or poster and printed out if you’re doing a commercial.

Continued on the following page

Step 3: Write a persuasive essay.• Title your essay • Include an introduction, body, and conclusion

paragraph.• In your essay you should explain when and why

you (the inventor) created the invention, how your invention works, and why someone should buy the invention. You may also include some information about who you are.

• This essay may be written in first person, since you are pretending to be the inventor.

• You should write a minimum of 3 paragraphs.• Attach a bibliography in the correct format to

your summary. (Use your Bibliography Guide that was handed out in class to help you.)

• Please see the attached Persuasive Writing Rubric to see how I will be grading the summary.

Step 4: Present your project.• During your presentation to the class, you are

pretending to be the inventor. Sell your invention to the class.

• You may read your essay, but I will take off points if there is little eye contact made.

• Answer 2-3 questions from other students.• Speak in a clear audible voice.• Please see the attached Oral Presentation

Rubric to see how I will be grading the presentation.

For BONUS, you may dress up as your inventor!

Steps (Continued):

Examples

Brochure Example:

“Billboard” Example:

If I have examples of commercials from the previous year, I will show those in class.

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