Inventor in the Making!

You will be creating an invention that can be produced and sold, and that people can actually use. You will be presenting your invention at the Invention Convention to real judges who will be using this rubric.

Step 1. Look at the rubric on the Evaluation page. This rubric will help you create an invention that has potential to truly be successful and functional in our community and world. Answer the following questions about your project on a piece of paper. Make sure you include your name, the date, and the subject of your paper (Inventions Project) at the heading of your paper. Use the Expert column of the rubric to answer these questions.

• Do you need to document the process you took to create your invention? If so, what need to be included in your description?
• Can your invention be similar to items that have already been created? Why do you think this is a requirement?
• To get full points, what needs to be true about your product idea?
• Should your invention be designed for your own personal use, or to be used by a real audience? How will you be sure your invention is interesting and appealing to your audience?
• What is the difference between a model and a prototype? How will you decide if you would like to create a prototype or a model?
• What needs to be true about your diagram?
 

Step 2. One important step in the invention process is keeping an Inventor's Log. This log is a spot for the inventor's ideas, process, problem-solving, and more. It is also a way to prove that he or she really came up with the idea (and it is not someone else's).  Since you are an inventor in the making, you will be keeping an Inventor's Log starting now. In your log, write the following list of items you will need to include in your log:

• All of your ideas for inventions
• Your plans
• Problems you encounter
• Possible solutions to your problems
• Sketches and drawings of your ideas
• Materials needed and their costs
• Photos of your work along the way
• Interviews, surveys, results (shown on graphs)
• Failures and successes
• Special events
 

When you use your journal:

• Write in ink and do not erase or cross out. Why do you think it is better to write in ink rather than pencil?
• Write in your journal often! (at least every time you work on your invention)
• Give your family credit for what they do to help you.
• Sign and date your journal for every entry.
• Have an adult sign and date your journal as a witness to prove that the work and ideas are your own. Do this at least once per week.
• Number every page consecutively (in order).
• Don't leave space between your entries. Write on every page.
 

Step 3. How does an inventor protect his invention so others cannot steal his or her idea and make money off of it themselves? They need to obtain a patent. Your next step is to find out about patents. Visit the InventNow website. You can also read about patents here. Read the entire page, and then click the Start button. Investigate the following questions and document them in your Inventor's Log.

• How is a patent like a gym locker?
• Which organization grants patents to people?
• What is a patent?
• Why would someone want to get a patent?

Before you even invent something, you need to make sure it is original, or novel. Why spend all of your time inventing something, only to find out someone else has already created it? Write down the following website address. You can search patents to see if your idea is a new one: http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html 

Step 4. Starting now, you have a new (and temporary) role: apprentice. An apprentice works under an expert in order to learn all they can about their profession. Since you are an inventor in the making, you will take some time to learn all you can from an inventor. Why did they create their invention? What were their strengths? Weaknesses? What process did they take to create their invention? Follow the following steps for your "apprenticeship":

1. Choose an inventor to learn from. Make sure everyone in the class chooses a different inventor. Pick one of the following inventors and write who you choose in your Inventor's Log:

• Alexander Graham Bell
• Louis Braille
• Benjamin Franklin
• George Washington Carver
• Henry Ford
• George Eastman
• John Deere
• Leonardo DaVinci
• Thomas Edison
• Samuel Morse
• Your choice (get inventor approved first from your teacher)!

2. Use the following websites to learn all you can about your inventor: Inventive Genius, Brittanica Encyclopedia (get the username and password from your teacher)

Find out the following about your inventor, and document your discoveries in your Inventor's Log: *

• When was he or she born? When did he or she die?
• What are some interesting facts about the early life of your inventor?
• What are some positive things that happened in his/her life? What were some negative things?
• Pick one of your inventor's inventions to describe. Draw a picture of the invention.
• In your opinion, what is the greatest strength of this invention?
• Why did he or she invent this?
• Based on your research, what advice do you think your inventor would give to beginning inventors? 

 3. Your final product will be a presentation in front of your classmates. You will act as your inventor and include information about "yourself." Your presentation will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• You included all key points of your inventor's life
• You used good speaking skills
• You discussed the invention itself
• You were knowledgeable about your inventor

Step 5. Why do people invent? Read the Inventor's Tool Kit. List in your Inventor's Log all of the reasons these people invented.

Step 6. Let's practice the whole process together! You can choose if you would like to work alone or with a partner. Follow the following steps (taken directly from the Invent Iowa Curriculum Guide):

1. Our problem is: Eggs are very fragile, and they often break during transport.
2. Challenge: Invent something that will prevent an egg from breaking when it is dropped from an 8-foot ladder. You may use the following materials: Cardboard, Cotton balls, Tape (no duct tape), Glue, Toilet paper, Straws, Plastic baggy (not optional must have one).
3. Foundation: Because this is our challenge, what background do we need to know? (For our practice, you do not need to actually research. But when you create your own invention you will.)
4. Data: Develop some questions about the invention in order to gather important information about the invention. Use the 5 W's and the H: Who; What; When; Where; Why; How?
5. Imagination: Begin creating the invention. Think of possible solutions to keep the egg from breaking. Sketch these ideas and label them. List all the materials you will need and the cost for each. Remember that inventors continue to develop their thinking during the invention process. Your first idea should not be your last idea.
6. Limitations: What are the possible disadvantages or drawbacks of your solutions? Change your sketches to solve some of these potential problems.
7. Lastly, build your invention!

When you finish, list these invention process steps in your Inventor's Log and write the definition of each in your own words. 

It's time to begin! Are you ready?

Step 1. Help! I need some ideas!

It is time for you to start brainstorming what you will invent! What problems or needs do you have? Read Is There Anything Left to Invent? What Can I Invent? and Inventions Ideas List at this site. You can also find ideas at InventNow.org or the Invention Convention Video. Then begin to brainstorm problems or needs that you have in your Inventor's Log.

Step 2. Follow the steps in the invention process (listed below). Before you decide on your invention, use the following checklist to see if it will work (taken directly from http://www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/Students/inventia/K-8_Guide/BuildModel.aspx):

1. Identify a problem or need you have.
2. Start a journal to document all of your ideas and the steps you take along the way.
3. Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem or need you thought of.
4. Evaluate each of these possible solutions. What are the potential drawbacks of each (see below)?
5. Re-design your solutions. Change them to make them better and overcome the possible obstacles.
6. Evaluate these new designs (like #4).
7. Identify the best solution. Will it work? Will people want to use it?
8. Research your chosen solution to make sure it is unique. Search the patent website, Google, stores that may have something like it, etc.
9. If it is truly unique and meets all of the criteria for an excellent invention, then this solution will be your invention!
10. Name your invention.
11. Illustrate and explain your invention.
12. Make a model or prototype of your invention.
13. Produce and advertise your invention.

Have fun! Good luck!

* All questions taken from the Invent Iowa Curriculum Guide..