The Children’s Museum of Cleveland
Education Programming Form
Program Title: Inspiring Inventors – George Washington Carver
Staff Needed: 1
Session #: Feb 2013
Duration of Program: 15-30 mins
Created By: Marian Bryant
Age of Target Audience: 4-8
Theme/Main idea of Program:
An introduction to African American Inventors and the invention process.
Children will listen to a story about the invention process.
Children will explore other wacky inventions from the modern era.
Children will make a 3d version of a sweet potato or peanut plant.
Children will explore what a sweet potato looks and feels like.
Early Learning Content Standards met:
Social Studies
Strand: Economics - Topic: Production and Consumption
With modeling and support, demonstrate understanding of where goods and services originate and how
they are acquired.
With modeling and support, demonstrate responsible consumption and conservation of resources.
Strand: History - Topic: Historical Thinking and Skills
Demonstrate an understanding of time in the context of daily experiences.
Science
Strand: Scientific Inquiry and Application – Topic: Inquiry
Make careful observations.
Make inferences, generalizations and explanations based on evidence.
Resources:
http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/plants/georgewashingtoncarver/grownups.weml
http://www.biography.com/people/george-washington-carver-9240299
http://preschooler.thebump.com/sweet-potato-plant-activities-kids-8081.html
http://www.hungryhungryhippie.com/how-to-make-soynut-butter/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Perfect-Oven-Sweet-Potato-Fries/#step1
Materials/Props/Set-up:
Book: “I am Inventing an Invention” by Lauren Child / “The Klutz Book of Inventions” by Klutz and IDEO
Props: Soy nut Putter (I.M. Healthy) or make homemade, Sweet Potatoes from grocery store, Microscope, Beaker,
Erlenmeyer Flask
Materials: Cardstock (or heavy paper), tissue paper squares (green), glue sticks, tacky glue, precut tan foamies,
crayons (green, brown, tan)
Advance Preparation:
Print multiple sheets of the “Peanut Plant and Sweet Potato Plant” (in color). Precut peanut shaped tan foamie
pieces. Precut Sweet Potato shaped tan foamie pieces.
Read through the book selections. Print inventor’s picture and invention.
Introduction (engage your audience):
Hi everyone and welcome to “Inspiring Inventors”.
Has anyone ever heard of the word inventor?
What do inventors do? Inventors create something new, something no one has ever seen before.
Sometimes inventors find new ways to use everyday things.
An invention is a creation that helps do something new. Sometimes an invention might help do a
job easier (or make life easier).
Who can tell me the name of an inventor? [Allow time for answers.]
Today we’re going to learn about the inventor that found a new use for peanuts and sweet potatoes.
Program Script:
But first, let’s see what steps an inventor has to take to make their invention.
Read: “I am Inventing an Invention” by Lauren Child (This book is about some kid inventors you might know.)
[Ask the children to retell the story of how Charlie and Lola made their invention.]
What steps did Charlie and Lola take to make their inventions?
1. Identify a need or want (or something that would make life easier).
2. Brainstorm solutions (or thought of idea).
3. Choose a solution (pick an idea).
4. Research and Plan (look up information and draw a plan or sketch).
5. Build a Model (build an example).
6. Test the Model (see if the invention works).
7. Evaluate the Invention (decide how well the inventions works and could it be better).
[Useful vocabulary.]
Invention: something that is created or produced
Process: the steps it takes to get something done
Tool: an object that helps a person to do a job easier
What invention would you make to make your life easier? [Allow time for answers.]
What would it be made of? [Allow time for answers.]
Inventor Focus: George Washington Carver
A long time ago, people didn’t have peanut butter. What do we use peanut butter for now? [Sandwiches, crackers,
snack with celery.]
George Washington Carver was an inventor who found a new use for peanuts and sweet potatoes. [Show his
picture. Show invention] He used his five senses to find new ways to use the peanut and sweet potato plants.
Conclusion/Goodbye (wrap-up activity or song to signal closure):
Because he was a scientist he used his eyes to draw all the parts of the plants. This helped him understand them
better.
Activity 1: Let’s use our five senses to investigate the sweet potato. [Cut medium pieces of sweet potato for each
child to explore. Give them a magnifying glass, toothpick or plastic spoon to help them explore it better.]
Activity 2: Let’s decorate our own peanut plant (or sweet potato) on our paper. [Show a picture of the peanut
plant and of the sweet potato plant.]
Next, he conducted experiments in his laboratory to try new ways to use the peanut and the sweet potato. One
of those ways was peanut butter.
He also made lotion, shaving cream, and hair products from the milk and other things he extracted from the
peanut. Extracted means he squeeze or crushed the peanut until things came out.
Activity 3: Taste Soy Nut Butter or Baked Sweet Potato Fries [optional, parent choice]
Feel free to look at other inventions in our other invention book. [Hold up The Klutz Book of Inventions.]
Draw an example of the invention you would make on the back of your paper.