AISD ELEMENTARY
INVENTION SHOWCASE
2013-2014
A LV I N E L E M E N TA RY
C A M P U S C O M P E T I T I O N – F E B . 5 TH
Powerpoint by. B.Choules, Rev. 11/13
ALVIN ELEMENTARY
INVENTION SHOWCASE DATES
Nov. 19th – Hand out campus packets
Feb. 5th – AE Invention Showcase Competition
“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of
junk.”
- Thomas Edison
WHAT IS AN INVENTOR?
An inventor is
someone who
creates
something that
wasn’t here
before.
"When you can do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you
will command the attention of the world."
- George Washington
FAMOUS INVENTORS
• Richard G. Drew
invented tape.
• Ralph Baer invented
the first video game.
• Ermal Cleon Fraze invented the
pop top soda can.
FAMOUS INVENTORS
• Frank Epperson
invented the popsicle as
a kid!
• George Nissen invented
the trampoline.
• Philo Farnswarth invented the
television as a kid!
I WANT TO BE IN THE INVENTION SHOWCASE!
NOW WHAT DO I DO?
1. Ask your teacher for a packet.
2. Think about what invention you would like to
do and come up with a plan! Remember
inventions are about trial and error. Keep
working until you get it just right!
3. Present your invention on February 5th at the
AE Invention Showcase.
“Every child has a dream, to pursue the dream is in every child's
hand to make it a reality. One's invention is another's tool... “
- Samuel Morse
JUDGING CRITERIA FOR INVENTIONS
Projects will be judged on a 100 point system.
1. Originality. The invention reflects original creative thought and provides evidence of no similar
product on the market.
35
2. Value. The invention has practical value and can be useful to targeted market.
25
3. Inventor’s Log. The Inventor’s Log book accurately reflects the process through to the end
result.
15
4. Presentation. The inventor is enthusiastic about his/her invention.
10
5. Design & Construction. The invention is well designed and constructed, made wise and
creative use of available materials.
10
6. Display. The inventor has promoted the invention with eye-catching and creative materials.
5
STEP 1 – GET AN IDEA
Identify a Need, Want, or Problem. Look for things in everyday life
that could be made easier with a different device. Ask the
people around you about their needs, wants, or problems. Make
a list in your inventor’s log and then pick your favorite to work on.
Brainstorm Solutions. Make a list in your log of possible solutions.
List everything that you think of, even if it seems impossible.
Select a Solution. Look over the list of solutions and pick the best
one. Keep in mind your abilities, access to equipment, and time
you have to complete your project.
STEP 2 – GET AN IDEA
Do Research. There are 2 key points to research: 1) has anyone already made
your invention, and 2) information needed to better understand your
problem and help you plan your invention. You must find out if someone
already has a patent for your idea. If you use their idea, you are stealing
their work and that is “infringement”. To find out if your invention already
exists, you can search the US. Patent and Trademark Office at
www.uspto.gov.
Apply the Research. Use your research to help answer questions such as; what
kind of materials should be used? Are there any hazards to consider? Is
there an easier way to build your model? Has anyone already tried and
failed? What did you learn from them? Was anyone successful in a related
topic? Can you use their findings to help you? Are there any important ideas
to help you design your invention? Remember to keep track of all of your
research in your inventor’s log.
STEP 3 – BUILD A MODEL
First, find a place to set up a “workshop” to keep all of your materials, tools,
and research during the process. Start by reviewing your research and
begin with a sketch of your invention – labeling the drawing helps. Also
write down a list of materials and tools you will use. Then start to create
the model. There are 2 types of invention models.
Conceptual Models. These models show the concept of the invention, but
don’t actually work. They are used if the idea is too large or expensive to
do in full-scale, or if the testing would be unsafe, too expensive, or
simple not possible. These models show how the idea would work.
Functional Models. These models are working versions of the invention.
They are used to test the design and the materials used to refine the
invention before the final product is built.
STEP 4 – TEST THE MODEL
Conceptual Testing. When testing conceptual models, the goal is to
see if others understand your model and how it is supposed to
work. Ask friends and family to look at the model and offer
suggestions on changes you can make to better show your
invention’s purpose.
Functional Testing. When testing functional models, the goal is to
see if your invention does what it is intended to do consistently.
You are also testing the materials, do they work each time?
During testing you may find you need to make changes to the
materials or design. Remember to write and draw everything in
your inventor’s log
STEP 5 – FINALIZE YOUR INVENTION
The last step involves going back and reviewing all of
your tests and observations, checking over all the
changes you’ve made to your invention, and making
sure everything makes sense. After all of that is done,
it’s time for the final touches: add decorations, color,
give it a final name, and put together your
presentation for the invention showcase.
Congratulations on your hard work!
GAMES FOR INVENTIONS/INVENTORS
Invention Games:
•
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/social_studies_games/inventors.html
•
iKids - http://www.inventivekids.com/games.html
•
Inventor’s Workshop Game:
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/media/games/inventions/
•
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/balamory/games/balamory-inventiongame/
•
http://www.tvokids.com/games/thinkbig
•
http://www.uptoten.com/kids/kidsgames-mixedbag-inventionstimeline.html
"Man's greatness lies in his power of thought."
- Blaise Pascal
INVENTION RESOURCES – BOOKS (AE LIBRARY)
Mistakes that Worked; 40 Familiar Inventions and How They Came to Be by Charlotte Foltz Jones. – Call #
REF 609 JOH
Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor by Emily McCully – Call # E 921 KNI
Balloons Over Broadway:: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet –
Call# 921 SAR
POP: The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy – Call# 664.6 MCC
Bright Ideas: The Age of Inventions by Ann Rossi – 609.73 ROS
Eureka! It’s an Airplane by Bendick, Jeanne – Call # 629.13 BEN
Great Discoveries and Inventions that advanced industry and technology by Casanellas, Antonio –
INVENTION RESOURCES - WEBSITES
Websites
Children’s Museum of Houston: http://www.cmhouston.org/inventors-showcase/.
By Kids For Kids: www.build-it-yourself.com
Invention Dimension: http://web.mit.edu/invent/invent-main.html
Invent Now: www.invent.org/index.asp
United States Patent and Trademark Offices (for kids): www.uspto.gov/go/kids
About Inventors: http://inventors.about.com/
Inventor Ed: www.inventored.org/k-12
Academy of Applied Science: www.aas-world.org
Partnership for America’s Future, Inc.: http://nmoe.org/competitions.htm
Celebrating the Achievements of Children: www.amazingkids.com
Big Learning: www.biglearning.com
The Kids Hall of Fame: www.thekidshalloffame.com
ExploraVision Awards: www.exploravision.org
Kid Inventors” Day Website: http://www.kidinventorsday.com/quotes.htm
“Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.”
- Marie Curie
MORE RESOURCES
PEBBLE GO
D ATA B A S E
• AE Library page
under Eagle Links
• www.pebblego.com
• Go to Biographies –
Inventors
• Social Studies –
Long Ago and Today
VIDEOS
• Benjamin Franklin:
Scientist and
Inventor – Call# VC
B Franklin
DID YOU KNOW THERE IS A KID INVENTORS’
DAY?
January 17th is K.I.D. or Kid
Inventors’ Day!
• This is also Benjamin
Franklin’s birthday –
who invented the first
swim flippers at the age
of 12!
• Website:
http://www.kidinventors
day.com/
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Most information was used from the following:
•
http://www.cmhouston.org/inventors-showcase/
•
AISD Elementary Invention Showcase 2013-2014 Additional Information Packet
provided by AISD.
•
Video linked from YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSvMbK0x6cA .
•
http://www.kidinventorsday.com/.
•
http://mom.me/parenting/3937-best-kid-inventions-history/