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So much fun the students won't even realize they are learning. Turn the classroom into an Inventor's Convention where all students will thrive in discovering new combinations of materials to solve a s... Read more

So much fun the students won't even realize they are learning. Turn the classroom into an Inventor's Convention where all students will thrive in discovering new combinations of materials to solve a specific problem. Visiting Artist will help facilitate ideas and give challenges that encourage collaboration as well as build confidence and communication. The classroom teacher is encouraged to participate in the students' discovery, but need only provide discipline to the class. This creative problem solving exercise will stick with students. They will analyze, compare and redesign tools under guidance. Each age group naturally uses the materials differently. Grade level specific science concepts from motion and stability: forces and interactions and engineering design concepts will be emphasized for each grade. Inventing mark-making tools is relevant to innovative thinking and revision/creation to any age group. Part 1 (45min): Students will becoming inventors as they are challenged to draw a picture without holding a pencil in their hand. After the warm up exercise, they will be given an INVENTORS' BOX #1 full of a variety of raw materials, small motors, from nature, recycling, the kitchen, and hardware stores as well as many adhesives like tape, velcro, wire and glue to make simple drawing machines. They will plan, test, compare and revise. Part 2 (45 mins) Students will be given a second INVENTORS' BOX #2 that include simple machine kits which can be assembled together in multiple different functioning iterations. Sample solutions could include ramps, chain reactions, pendulums, or vibration/friction drawings. Students will present what they have discovered and access their designs. The tools will be disassembled and returned to the INVENTORS' BOX for other students to use.

I CAN use technology for mark making. I CAN think creatively to repurpose and reassemble common objects to invent something new. I CAN investigate the properties of various materials and invent multip... Read more

I CAN use technology for mark making. I CAN think creatively to repurpose and reassemble common objects to invent something new. I CAN investigate the properties of various materials and invent multiple combinations. I CAN test different materials and identify the properties best suited for my purpose.