LATEST –––GREATEST INVENTOR LESSON PLANvirus that causes AIDS and a related virus that causes...

Jan Ernst Matzeliger

invented a shoemaking

machine that increased

shoemaking speed by

900%.

Ellen Ochoa invented

optical analysis

systems. In addition to

being an inventor, Dr.

Ellen Ochoa is also a

research scientist and

astronaut for NASA.

Thomas Edison invented

the light bulb, but it was

Lewis Howard Latimer's

that invented the carbon

filament for Edison's

bulb, solving two major

flaws: the bulb didn't last

very long and it had a

tendency to shatter

when it got too hot.

In 1897, African-American

inventor Alfred Cralle

patented the first ice

cream scoop.

About iAbout iAbout iAbout ingenious things ngenious things ngenious things ngenious things we would not want to live we would not want to live we would not want to live we would not want to live withwithwithwithout invented by minority inventors…out invented by minority inventors…out invented by minority inventors…out invented by minority inventors…

Spencer Rocco Whale, age 8

from Pennsylvania developed

a series of hospital-related

products that make a child’s

stay more enjoyable. Among

his products are ride toys

that have I.V. poles attached

allowing the young patients

undergoing I.V. treatments to

still ride around the hospital in toy cars in trucks. Spencer

has been featured on the Montel Williams Show, and his

ride toys are now being used in a Pittsburgh area hospital.

Janet Song (age 16) and Benjamin Song (15) from

Audubon, PA developed a

simple test which can

potentially revolutionize

cancer screening, early

detection, and disease

management of cancer.

Johnny Bodylski from Santa Ana, CA

invented the Rain Watchdog at age 8.

His mother noticed that someone had

left the sprinkler on while it was

raining. Johnny solved this problem

with his invention which automatically

turns off a water sprinkler when it begins raining and

turns it on when the water evaporates.

www.just-think-inc.com

LATEST LATEST LATEST LATEST ––––GREATEST INVENTOR LESSON PLANGREATEST INVENTOR LESSON PLANGREATEST INVENTOR LESSON PLANGREATEST INVENTOR LESSON PLAN

The The The The IIIInspirational nspirational nspirational nspirational Contributions of Minority InventorsContributions of Minority InventorsContributions of Minority InventorsContributions of Minority Inventors

LATEST – GREATEST INVENTOR - LESSON PLAN

2011 Just Think, Inc. - All Rights Reserved Just Think, Inc. www.just-think-inc.com of 8

George Washington Carver

designed the concept of a

moveable school, with

teachers and equipment

traveling to remote areas to

instruct the poor in

agriculture and nutrition.

Did you know that there

was a famous woman

inventor who obtained

more than one hundred

and twenty-five

patents? Her name was

Giuliana Tesoro, and she

helped to make great

strides in the field of

fiber and textile

chemistry.

Through her work and

research, she developed

processes to prevent

static accumulation in

synthetic fibers,

designed flame-resistant

fibers, pioneered

improved permanent

press properties for

textiles and discovered

ways to make new

manufacturing projects

run at peak operation

and efficiency.

Flossie Wong-Staal, a

Chinese-American scientist,

is a leader in AIDS research.

Working with a team, she

helped to discover the

virus that causes AIDS and

a related virus that causes

cancer. She also did the

first mapping of HIV's

genes.

AAAAbout bout bout bout ingenious things we would not want to live without invented by ingenious things we would not want to live without invented by ingenious things we would not want to live without invented by ingenious things we would not want to live without invented by minority inventors…minority inventors…minority inventors…minority inventors…(Continued)(Continued)(Continued)(Continued)

In the mid-1980s, a twelve-

year old girl developed an

invention that greatly

helped people who have

difficulty communicating.

Rachel Zimmerman of

Ontario, Canada created a

software program using

Blissymbols: symbols that enable non-speaking

people, such as those with severe physical

disabilities like cerebral palsy, to communicate.

The program user communicates by pointing to

various symbols on a page or board through the

use of a special touch pad. When the user touches

the symbols, Zimmerman's "Blissymbol Printer"

translates them into a written language. In this

way, the user can record his or her thoughts or

communicate via e-mail.

Zimmerman's system of communication started

out as a project for a school science fair, but it

ended up competing at the World Exhibition of

Achievement of Young Inventors, winning a silver

medal at the Canada-wide contest. The program

also won the YTV Television Youth Achievement

Award.

With a Master’s Degree in

Nucleur Engineering and

many inventions under his

belt, Lonnie Johnson’s

most fun invention had to

be the pressurized water

gun he invented that was

safe enough for children.

Originally known as the

Power Drencher, the gun was later renamed the

Super Soaker.

Images/Inventor details found on:

http://www.nmoe.org/ http://madamenoire.com

http://www.blackinventor.com http://inventors.about.com



http://www.women-inventors.com

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors

These won’t be the last greThese won’t be the last greThese won’t be the last greThese won’t be the last great inventions…at inventions…at inventions…at inventions…

The next latest greatest invention is waiting to be created!The next latest greatest invention is waiting to be created!The next latest greatest invention is waiting to be created!The next latest greatest invention is waiting to be created!

We have covered only a few of the many minority inventors. Now students, it’s your turn for a little

research! Can you find another invention from a minority inventor? When and where was it

invented and by whom? What problem did it solve?

Invention:

Date of Invention:

Inventor’s Name:

Age of Inventor (when 1st

invented):

Country of Origin:

Name of Invention:

Description of Invention:

Where did you find this information:

LOOK at

Some of the Other

Great Inventions!

RESEARCH!

RESEARCH!

RESEARCH!



Journal it!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BEWOULD YOU LIKE TO BEWOULD YOU LIKE TO BEWOULD YOU LIKE TO BE THE… LATEST THE… LATEST THE… LATEST THE… LATEST ---- GREATEST INVENTOR?GREATEST INVENTOR?GREATEST INVENTOR?GREATEST INVENTOR?

Within every industry there will be many ways an inventor can contribute (i.e. improve functionality, design

or delivery, create new devices, create new uses, etc.) What are some of the key ways an inventor might

contribute to your chosen industry?

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

Before you get started looking for a clever idea, let’s talk about inventing!

Inventors invent by following certain basic steps – just like many other things you do every day. Like following a

recipe while cooking, brushing your teeth or tying your shoes – inventing is a process.

To help you get started with YOUR invention – just follow the steps below!

FIRFIRFIRFIRST ST ST ST –––– JUST THINK!!JUST THINK!!JUST THINK!!JUST THINK!!

The best way to come up with a clever idea or plan is to

BRAINSTORM! Brainstorming is thinking up lots of ideas. When

you brainstorm for an invention – you think of everything you

possibly can about what problems there are, who has them, how

to resolve them…just everything that enters your mind. Don’t

worry about every detail – just write down your ideas. You can

figure out the “how” and “what” later.

You can start by asking yourself questions (remember to write

down the answers in your journal):

Are you inspired to develop an invention that can benefit one of the

industries highlighted in this lesson plan? Which one? If not one of these,

which industry have you chosen?

What are some other problems you have noticed that impact the industry?

What problems have you seen reported in the news? Learned in school?

What about your friends, grandparents, teachers? Ask them to share problems they have noticed.



Now that you're thinking about your industry....brainstorming all kinds of ideas...remember to pick a

problem you think you can solve - and that fits this program's requirements. Here is some information that will

help you understand the basic requirements:

1. You'll need to BUILD a prototype....not just have an idea...or draw

a picture...or conceptualize a system. This is a “Gadget”, “Model”,

“Functional THING” program/competition.

2. Your idea does need to SOLVE something...even though some

inventions are just plain FUN. We're looking for SOLUTIONS that

have a measureable impact on the world.

3. Every inventor DOES THEIR RESEARCH on the problem: Who has

the problem? What may have already been started to solve this

problem? How is the problem measured? How could the impact

of the solution(s) be measured?

4. Every inventor puts time in COMMUNICATING their journey. A

solution is only as good as its ability to “GET REAL”....and that only

happens if you take the idea out of your head...and successfully

transfer it to others. Your Student Journal allows you to create a

documented record of your invention from start to finish and

provides you an effective way to communicate your idea to others.

While you were deciding on a “problem” and thinking about the basic requirements, were you already

beginning to think about some possible solutions?

Use the SCAMMPER technique to brainstorm! Take your idea – then SCAMPER!

Substitute – What else could you do instead? Could you use other materials?

Combine – How about a blend of two or more ideas/processes?

Adapt – What is there already that helps with this problem? Can you make it better?

Minify – Order, form, shape? Could you make it smaller? Miniature? Portable?

Magnify – Greater frequency? Bigger? Longer? Add something?

Put to other uses – How else could it be used? Or where? With who?

Eliminate – What can you get rid of? Subtract? Condense?

Reverse – Will it work backwards, inside out, upside down?

These are all important things to think about when getting ready to make your invention. There really is a lot to

think about – but just like anything else worth doing – if you just GET STARTED you’ll soon be on your way to

becoming the an INVENTOR!



Journal it!

SECOND SECOND SECOND SECOND –––– JUST DESIGN!!JUST DESIGN!!JUST DESIGN!!JUST DESIGN!!

Once you have decided on your favorite idea – it is time to start designing YOUR invention. Start by defining the

PIECES AND PARTS you will need to actually make it. You will need to think about what it will look like, how you

will use it, does it need directions – all the things that will help others know what your invention is all about, so

they can use it and help others learn how.

Here are a few questions to answer to get you started:

Is it like anything you already know about? How is your idea

different?

What are some names your invention might be called?

How will you use it? Who uses it?

What might it look like?

How will it operate?

When would it be used? Night or day? Warm weather or cold?

How many people can use it at one time? One, many, both?

Does your invention need directions or instructions? What are

they?

What problem/challenge does your invention help solve? How?

What materials will you need to make it? Do you have the

materials you need already? Where will you find them?

Is the invention simple? Cost effective? Durable?

Will you need help? What kind of help will you need?

You can draw or sketch your idea or simply describe it in

your inventor’s journal. And if you need to, you can

make up a set of directions. Don’t worry - this is easier

than it sounds. Remember - this is YOUR idea – so you

just have to explain what is in your brain. Write down

everything people will need to know – and that’s all it

takes!



Journal it!

THIRD THIRD THIRD THIRD –––– JUST BELIEVE AND BUIJUST BELIEVE AND BUIJUST BELIEVE AND BUIJUST BELIEVE AND BUILD IT!! LD IT!! LD IT!! LD IT!!

Now – you need to actually make your idea into a prototype or a working model, so you can see what it really

looks like and show how it really helps to solve the problem. Remember, try to keep it simple, cost effective and

durable.

I D E A = S U C C E S S ! +

YOU CAN DO THIS! Your brilliant idea has come to life on paper – now JUST BELIEVE AND BUILD IT!

Don’t forget the first thing you should do EVERY DAY and EVERY STEP OF THE WAY is write

down what you’ve done in your journal. Include the improvements, changes, trials and

errors, including the dates you made them. Record your changes, and initial and date them.

Your prototype should be:

A model or representation of how your invention would work if it were real and should be:

• Able to adequately illustrate to those learning about it how it would work if real.

• No larger than 2 feet deep X 3 feet wide X 4 feet high.

• Able to run on batteries – if there is a power source needed at all.

Your prototype may not:

• Utilize electricity AT THE FINAL COMPETITION (there is no AC provided/allowed at IC)

• Be larger than stated requirements.

Once you have built your prototype – TRY IT OUT!

YOUR invention may be perfect the way it is - but it’s OKAY if you want to change it - fix it - make it better!

Inventors rarely get it right the very first try…sometimes an inventor may build many prototypes before they are

satisfied with their creation.

The most known example is Thomas Edison's light bulb. How he had an idea...tried it...but had to believe in it

enough to suffer over 1,000 "failed" tries - before it worked! What got Thomas Edison through it?

HE BELIEVED!

HE BELIEVED HIS LIGHT BULB WOULD WORK!

HE BELIEVED IN HIS ABILITY TO MAKE IT WORK!

AND - HE NEVER GAVE UP!

ID E A = +



How do you know if your prototype is ready?

Here are a few questions that will help you to decide:

Does MY invention work the way

I want it to? Can I make changes

to make it simpler to operate?

Make it to work better?

Does it look the way I want it to?

What can I do to improve the

way it looks?

Is it durable? Are there other

materials I can use to make it

more durable?

Can I enhance it in any way?

Make it larger or smaller?

Portable? Waterproof?

Remember the SCAMMPER

technique of brainstorming?

Look back at SCAMMPER

questions covered earlier in this

lesson to see if there are more

helpful questions.

If you decide to make changes make

sure to record your changes (failures

and successes) in your journal.

Once you have finished your prototype, make sure you congratulate yourself for bringing your idea to life and

for a job well done!

YOU YOU YOU YOU AREAREAREARE THE LATEST THE LATEST THE LATEST THE LATEST ---- GREATEST INVENTOR!GREATEST INVENTOR!GREATEST INVENTOR!GREATEST INVENTOR!

LATEST –––GREATEST INVENTOR LESSON PLANvirus that causes AIDS and a related virus that causes...

Documents

Transcript of LATEST –––GREATEST INVENTOR LESSON PLANvirus that causes AIDS and a related virus that causes...