Invention

Convention

Invention Convention We are hosting an Invention Convention.

Students need to complete one of the following projects.

Please circle your project choice below & return by Friday December 8th.

Additional information about your selection will be sent home soon.

Choice #1: LOGIC AND PICTURE SMART - Build an invention. Be CREATIVE and invent something unique to solve a specific problem.

Choice #2: BODY, MUSIC, AND PEOPLE SMART - Create an invention and true Shark Tank style, design a video ad to sell it to the Sharks. You may want to include:

o a commercial jingle for your invention

o a marketing or campaign slogan

o an example of a marketing advertisement for your product or invention

Choice #3: PICTURE AND WORD SMART - Draw an illustration (with vivid details) of something you would like to invent. Write an essay describing your invention and its purpose

All projects will be on display during our Invention Convention on January 24th, 2018.

What are Inventors and Inventions?

Every time you figure out a new way of doing something or change something to fit your needs, you are an inventor! An inventor is someone who thinks of new ideas to make life easier or better through inventions. An invention is a new discovery. It can be a new product or a new way of doing things called a process. Inventions come about in many ways. Usually inventions happen because somebody had to solve a problem. For example, someone got tired of cold ears in the winter and invented earmuffs. That inventor was only 15 years old! Sometimes inventions are the result of accidents. This is called serendipity. Corn flakes might never have been invented if a batch of wheat hadn’t been cooked too long! You may have heard people talking about “making a better mousetrap”. That is an innovation, or a new way of making an invention better. Some of the best inventions are very simple – like wire bent to make a coat hanger, paper clips, staples or bobby pins. Or, inventions can be complex, with many parts – like telephones, cars or DVD players. Think of how life would be with no electric lights, no TV, no radios, no computers or no video games – to name just a few things we rely on every day.

What Makes a Good Invention?

Here are some things to keep in mind when thinking about ideas for a good invention.

- Is your idea really NEW?

- Is it unique and original?

- Is your idea USEFUL?

- Is there a need for it – does it solve a problem?

- Is your idea CLEARLY DESCRIBED and NEATLY WRITTEN?

- Does it really explain your idea and any research you may have done?

- Does your drawing show WHAT YOUR INVENTION LOOKS LIKE AND HOW IT

WORKS? Does it show all the parts of your invention and are they LABELED?

Helpful Hints!! A few tips to keep in mind:

• Remember – everyone can be an inventor!

• Think like an inventor! Inventors are problem solvers, so learn to look at old problems in new ways.

• Try to make your invention work with as few parts and as simple as possible.

• The lower the cost of making an invention, the better off you are!

• Make sure your invention is safe to use and safe to make! If tools are needed, get permission to use them and have proper instructions.

• It’s a good idea to keep a journal – a dated, written record of your ideas, research, experiments and tests. See example of an Inventor’s Log.

• ABOVE ALL . . . Don’t get discouraged if all your ideas don’t work at first. It might take several tries to get your invention just the way you want it, but it will be worth the effort so keep trying!

Record Keeping Keeping a log (journal) is very wise. It can prove YOU had the idea first and will help you plan your invention. It will also help you explain your invention when you are finished. Follow the suggestions below for record keeping if you want to tackle your problem as a real inventor would.

Ideas for Keeping a Log

1) Date and initial your notes every time you work on your ideas. Show where you were at the time.

2) Describe your ideas, tests, and results. 3) Make a drawing of your ideas whenever possible. 4) List costs and descriptions of all materials used. 5) Have another person sign your log as a witness to prove the work and ideas are

your own. 6) Describe problems that came up. 7) List solutions to the problems 8) List materials that are needed to complete the project. 9) Describe where the idea came from.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention - An Old Truth

Looking for problems to solve Problems are invitations to find solutions. Did you know that most inventions come from solving a problem? Here’s your chance to become an inventor. But FIRST find a problem. Don’t worry about solving the problem – that will come later. Just try to think of as many problems as possible and make a list of them. This is called Brainstorming – a great way to get ideas for an invention project.

Now get started! Ask your parents, family, friends, and neighbors what problems they have with chores or tasks to be done. See what “bugs” them the most. Asking questions and recording the answers like this is called doing a survey. Think about school, work, and play and ask yourself:

- What is my biggest problem? - What task could I make easier? - What object do I use that could work better? - What is my favorite thing to do, and what would make it more fun and

interesting? Look at things around you and ask yourself:

- What would make it work better? - What would make it easier to use? - What could I add to it to make it work better? - What could I take away from it to make it work better? - What new uses could I invent for something I already have?

Ideas Become Inventions! Now the fun begins! Look at your list of problems and think of some ideas to solve them. Be creative and put ALL your ideas down on paper. Let your imagination run wild! More brainstorming!!! Give yourself plenty of time to let your ideas grow. Think of as many ways as possible to solve each problem and pick the ones that seem best. Begin your log. From all your brainstorming activities, pick the problem and idea for solution that is the most promising to work on for your invention projects.

Make a plan for your invention and write it in your log. Include any materials you will need, a rough sketch of our idea, ways to test it – as many details as you can think of. Think about what makes a good invention. Ask yourself:

- Is my idea really new? - Is my idea useful? - Is my idea something that will be helpful to others or me? - What about cost? Can I make my invention so that others can afford to buy it? - Is it possible to make a model of my invention? Are the materials for it easy to

get?

If you can answer “YES” to these questions, you’ve got a good idea!

Keep working on it. Carry out your plan step by step but be prepared to make changes in your ideas as you work on your invention. Test and redesign your invention as many times as needed. Evaluate each possible solution.

Be a detective! Look at every detail. DON’T GIVE UP!! Working on your invention to make it do just what you want can take time. If one idea doesn’t work, try another.

Naming Your Invention What will I call it? You did it!! You’ve invented something and it deserves a great name. This can be a lot of fun! There are many ways to name your invention. For the way it works, in other words, its function: Sunglasses Typewriter Hair Dryer Squirt Gun Dustpan Earmuffs Skateboard Screwdriver Lunch Box Doghouse Lamp Shade Ice Skates

With funny and clever words to lure customers: Silly Putty Cool-Whip Cabbage Patch Dolls Jell-O Hula Hoop Flip Flops After the inventor: Goodyear Tires Singer Sewing Machines Heinz Ketchup Ferris Wheel Morse Code Ford Automobile For what it is made of:

Ice Cream Peanut Butter Soap Suds Rubber Cement Down Jacket Shredded Wheat

Picking the right name is important. It can help interest people in your invention and shows your creativity. Make sure it’s a name you like and you think others will too.

Illustrating Your Invention

Drawing your ideas What will it look like? All inventors make drawings of their inventions to show how they work. Draw some quick sketches of these ideas and pick what you think will look and work the best. Show all the parts of your invention and label them clearly so that others will be able to understand how your invention works and looks.

Making a Model Now that you have a name for your invention and a drawing of it, you can make a model of your invention. A model will make your invention more interesting and will show how it works. *You may have help from anyone in making your model as long as your ideas, illustration and written description are your own.

Marketing Your Invention

Now you can do what every inventor likes best – getting others interested in buying your invention.

This is called marketing your invention or product. To do this you will need to plan your TV commercial. For help with this, watch commercials on TV. (Yes, this does require watching TV) Remember – Be persuasive! You want the customer to want your product and want to pay you for it!

Invention Convention

Invention Guidelines:

• Kindergarten and 1st grade will be working on this in their classrooms; it will be done as

a class and only in class.

• Our 2nd graders will focus on Inventions to help around the House

• Our 3rd graders will focus on Inventions to help our School

• Our 4th graders will focus on Inventions to help our Community

• Our 5th graders will focus on Inventions of the Future

• Brainstorm ideas for inventions. Select a problem you would like to fix and think of ways

you can solve the problem, by inventing a solution.

• Create your invention. Create a model or drawing of your invention. Models do NOT need

to actually work. They only need to represent the invention idea. Use everyday materials

from around the house to make your model.

• Complete the attached Invention form. Include your invention’s title, state the problem

your invention is solving, and include the description of your solution.

• Create a display for your invention. In addition to your tri-fold board, you can use

poster board or even a cardboard box to display your invention and how it works. You

can add colorful titles, attach your Invention form, add illustrations, or photos of your

building process, etc. Use your imagination! Be creative!!

Invention Convention Schedule

12/7/18 __ Invention choices are due to class 12/17/18 _ Student Patent Applications and

Contracts due back to teachers! 12/20/18 __ Teacher Approval due back to students! 1/8/19 - 1/18/19 Student Conferences and Invention

Check Ins How are things going? How can we help you?

1/22/19_____ Inventions, Display Boards, etc. due back to school for Judging and Grading!

1/23/19____ Invention Convention Day!

SPA Invention Convention

Student Contract

I, ________________________________ , will submit my invention Child’s Name

and Inventor’s Log for the Invention Convention due on January 22,

2019. I understand that this is a requirement and I must follow the

directions outlined in this handbook.

I further understand that failure to follow all directions and

instructions in this guide will affect my final project grade.

Class: _____________________________________________

Student’s Name ___ _____________________________________

Student’s Signature _____________________________________

Parent’s Name _________________________________________

Parent’s Signature _____________________________________

Patent Application Invention Convention

Inventor’s Name: ___________________________________________________________

Date of Application: _________________________________________________________

Name of Invention: ______________________________________________________

The problem that my invention will solve and how this invention will change the world:

Description of Invention:

Materials List:

Simple sketch of the Invention:

Inventor’s Signature: ______ __________________________________________________

Inventor’s Parent Signature: _________________________________________________

Official SPA Official’s Approval (Teacher): ___________________________________

Official Patent Number:_______________________________________________________

Notes from the Office of Patents:

18

Display Board Instructions

You MUST include the Display Board with your project. This must include:

An attractive title or heading and your name Your inventor’s log MUST be displayed with an attractive

cover!

You must follow the display board diagram above exactly! Including:

o Title

o the problem

o solution

o materials

how it is made, how it works

o research about the invention

o A labeled diagram and photographs.

Total Points:

Grade:

Invention Project Rubric Name:

0 5 10

The project was turned in on time.

You completed the Patent Application.

Your invention solved a real world problem.

The display is neat, attractive, and easy to read.

The display board includes all required components (problem, solution, materials, and research, How It works)

The inventor was able to describe their invention

confidently and knowledgably

There are elements of originality and creativity in the project

Inventor met all deadlines

Display includes photos, diagrams, charts, and/or drawings

The Invention has a catchy phrase