CREATED BY CAROLYN WHEELER, C H BARROWS SCHOOL, WINDHAM
Dear Parents,
Our young inventors need some help thinking of ideas for their inventions. A good way to come up with
ideas is to think of things the “bug” them – or you or anyone else for that matter! An invention is
frequently a solution to a problem or something that “bugs.” The hard part with Invention Convention is
that I can’t tell students what to invent; they need to come up with their own ideas. Thinking of the idea is
absolutely the hardest part!!!
Their inventions should be simple and be things that strike a 1st-4th grade imagination. If you could
encourage them by discussion that would be a big help!!
Difficulty in thinking of an invention is a common problem. It seems that some students have trouble
getting excited about Invention Convention until they come up with an idea. Once they come up with the
idea then they seem to take off. The idea is really where it's at!
Here are some thoughts that may help. What kinds of things does your student like to do? Can s/he think
of a way to make something easier to do? Are there any safety issues around the house that might need
addressing? Are there any minor annoyances in his/her life that s/he could fix, improve or make easier
with an invention? Is there anything s/he could make that might make something easier for a grandmother
(or aunt or cousin)? Do you have any pet challenges around the house that could use an invention? Does
s/he know a handicapped person who has a specific need that might be solved by a new invention?
Could s/he take an existing invention and modify it for a new use?
Could s/he take two existing inventions and put them together to make a new invention? - one year we
had a student combine a writing pen and a flashlight so she could write in the dark; the thing that bugged
her was that she couldn't see in the dark to write a letter. Another year we had a student combine a fly
swatter and a small dustpan so he could immediately sweep up the dead fly; the thing that bugged him
was that every time he swatted a fly he had to run all around the house looking for the dust pan.
Ask your student to really pay attention to his/her life and the surrounding world - to really be aware of
what's happening and look for things that need a fix. S/he is limited only by his/her imagination. It need
not be complicated. Some of the best inventions in the world are often extremely simple, such as a paper
clip, a clothes pin, a toothpick or even a simple funnel.
The challenge is in the thinking. We all look at inventions and say, "Well! I could have thought of that!"
But the thing is, we didn't think of that; somebody else did!! Yes, the challenge is in the thinking, but the
fun is also in the thinking! No idea is too silly to talk about, and one idea can lead to another!
I hope you find these comments helpful. Children have very imaginative, creative brains. We are eager to
see what they come up with! Do have fun with this!! Happy thinking!!
Sincerely,
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