Invention Convention

Teachers Involved:      
Molly DeBoer, Leila Webb, Shannon Manion, Brad Thies (ES 4th Grade Team) 
Sarah Carpenter (DLC Team)
Ross Brown (Curriculum Coordinator)

Grade/Year level: Grade 4

SAMR: Modification

Description:
Students to use design process to create an invention that they market at an upcoming invention convention.  For DLCs the focus is on the design process and presentation skills.


Curriculum:
This unit ties in with social studies and literacy.


Tips and Tricks:
The Design Process

• Time needs to given for testing and modifying.

• Describe design in terms of both form and function - use Alessi products as examples of this.

• At end of unit, photograph concept drawings and the finished product and have students write a reflection on the process including:  how things changed from concept to creation and why, the challenges they faced and how they met them.

Presentations

• Have students build in the note section before putting a single thing on the slide.
• One slide per point/idea

Reflections

• students reflecting on the process is very important.  Initially they may not reflect at a deep level, so stimulate their thinking with what? How?  Why?  questions

Challenges:

• It's important for teachers to realize that the design process is messy and chaotic - students will pass through this stage as they refine their ideas.  Stay with the process

Resources Needed:

• Invention Convention Google Slides For Design/Presentation/Appeals lessons
• The Design Process/Cycle of Inquiry
• Stanford Design Model

Associated Web Links:

• Ellen Show Kid Inventors - Bathroom inventions
• Ellen Show Kid Inventors - 3 Kid inventions and a baby (high chair one particularly good)
• Kid Inventions Turned Into Reality

Time Involved: (specific lessons - not including support in class following a lesson)

• 1 hour:  Marketing Your Product 
• 1 hour:  Alessifying Your Product
• 1 Hour: Appeals
• 1 hour:  Presentation Skills

Contact Information:  sarah.carpenter@seoulforeign.org