Week 2: Selecting an invention

In this lesson, the teacher works with each student to help select the best invention to build. Students will consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of their invention ideas.

Learning outcomes

Students will:

• Assess the advantages and disadvantages of building each invention.
• Select an invention based on a well thought out reason.

Teacher planning

Time required

Time required for this lesson varies. Because a teacher or teachers are conferencing with students individually, it could be done in one block, during transitions, or over a period of time.

Materials needed

Student inventor logs or science notebooks

Pre-activities

Prior to the student-teacher conference, students should have completed the lesson What Problem Can I Solve from Week 1.

Activities

1. When meeting with a student, the teacher will facilitate a conversation. The purpose of the conversation is to select the best invention from the student’s brainstorming that will allow the student to apply their learning of magnets and electricity, be feasible to build, and be appropriately challenging.
2. The teacher can use the following question stems during the conversation:
   • Briefly tell me about the inventions you brainstormed.
   • Which of the inventions is most appealing to build?
   • How do you envision building this invention?
   • Are there any unusual supplies that we will need to find?

Modifications

• Because these conferences take place one on one, the teacher will be able to choose simple words and speak clearly at an appropriate pace, supplementing conversation with written words and pictures.
• Depending on the student’s invention, the teacher may be able to find a picture of something similar. The teacher can label the parts and types of materials from the picture to help increase familiarity and build useful vocabulary.
• For ELLs, the teacher can introduce the word “because.” The teacher can set up the following sentence stems:
  • I choose the ________ invention because _________.
  • I choose the fan invention because ____________________.
  • I choose the light invention because ___________________.

Supplemental information

Although a majority of materials can be donated, some materials will need to be purchased and may include the following: bulbs, bulb holders, batteries, battery holders, switches, insulated wire, motors, and rivets with rubber washers. Websites I use to order science education supplies can be found in the Learn More section.