Primary Source Lessons: What in the World is That?!, Inventors and Inventions

What in the World is That?!, Inventors and Inventions

Jennifer Thomas
Williamsville Junior High School;Williamsville, IL

Overview:

This lesson is part of a larger unit that focuses on the connections between science and technology. Sometimes, inventions and scientific discoveries are related to each other in surprising ways. This lesson explores how inventors and their inventions have affected the modern world that we live in.

Objectives:

Students will research the history of famous inventions/inventors, past or present. They will understand that some inventions come about accidentally and some are specific to overcoming a problem. Students will speculate about their impact on society today.

Time Requirement:

Students should be able to complete the lesson in six classroom sessions.

Recommended Grade Levels:

Seventh and Eighth grade students who are enrolled in my Mission to Mars elective class, or the Creative Science elective class be able to complete this lesson.

Standards and Assessment Anchors:

Illinois Goal 13: Understand the relationship among science, technology and society in historical and contemporary contexts.

B. Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology and society.

13.B.3a Identify and explain ways that scientific knowledge and economics drive technological development.

13.B.3b Identify important contributions to science and technology that have been made by individuals and groups from various cultures.

13.B.3c Describe how occupations use scientific and technological knowledge and skills.

Resources:

Library of Congress: American Memory

Writing an Invention/Inventor Report

NASA Quest

Procedures:

1. Ask the students to define technology. Tell the students that technology is any invention that makes people's lives easier. State how science and technology are related by defining those terms on the whiteboard.

2. In the computer lab or using the overhead mounted projector connected to the internet, introduce the lesson by directing the students to individually go to the Library of Congress web site listed under Resources and click on Game to play the interactive activity.

3. Tell the students that they will each be creating a portfolio of five inventors/inventions. Each of the five items should include a picture of the invention, a 100 word biography of the inventor, an advertisement for the invention, and a 100 word description of the invention.

4. Students will mount these items on display boards to be placed in the hall for viewing.

5. Students can use the following sites to research their project:

a. Inventors/Inventions

b. Famous Inventors A to Z

c. Inventors and Inventions Theme Page

d. What in the World Is That?

Students may use other sites if approved by the teacher.

5. After the projects are complete, use another class period to discuss some of the inventions in class and speculate about their impact on society.

Evaluation:

There are 20 possible points, which can be converted into a percentage by multiplying by 5.

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