Invention Multimedia Assignment

Step Two: First, visit the About.com site "Historical Inventions". This site lists the inventions in alphabetical order. To find your invention, use the alphabetical index (A--Z) just below the words "Inventors Historical Inventions". Click on the first letter of your invention's name. Activate the link for the invention you have been assigned and preview the page. Locate information about the problem that the inventor was attempting to solve. Explain whether s/he solved that problem or invented something more unexpected.

Use your graphic organizer to gather information for a HyperStudio stack on your assigned invention

Step Three: Next, visit the Invention Myths on the Great Idea Finder web site. Activate the link for the invention you have been assigned and preview the page. Locate information about the problem that the inventor was attempting to solve. Explain whether s/he solved that problem or invented something more unexpected.

Look for the On the Web references found at the end of your invention's page. Visit at least one of the web sites and obtain additional information for the section regarding the problem the inventor was trying to solve. If your invention is currently produced by a company with a web site listed, you may wish to examine this site. Remember, however, that part of the purpose of the company site may be to sell that product.

IF your invention is not listed here, go to the next source, The World Book.

Step Four:Visit the World Book to locate information about your invention. Locate information about the problem that the inventor was attempting to solve. Explain whether s/he solved that problem or invented something more unexpected.

Use your graphic organizer to gather information for a HyperStudio stack on your assigned invention Reminder: Record the site name and address for the sites that provide useful information.

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Step Five: These additional resources may give you more details for your invention report.

Inventors

Black Inventor OnLine Museum provides biographical sketches, and photographs of more than 50 inventors including Elijah McCoy, Benjamin Bannker, and George Washington Carver. There are also sketches at their inventions and descriptions of how their inventions enhance people's daily lives.

The Faces of Science African Americans Profiled here are African American men and women who have contributed to the advancement of science and engineering.

Inventor of the Week describes the lives of inventors and provides graphics of their inventions

National Inventors Hall of Fame honors inventors from around he world and publicly recognizes their contributions. There is a searchable database of biographies on over 150 hall of Fame inductees and their inventions.

Step Six: Visit the links lead to timelines or history sites to find information about concurrent events (those that occurred within five years of the invention of your product) .If you have time, visit the links below that would provide more information about your topic.

Invention History and other Timelines

The American Experience: Technology Timeline. the PBS site covers landmark American inventions and describes them.

Get A Grip on Robotics find out how robots are used to perform many tasks that humans couldn't or shouldn't do. See how robots are changing how we live.

Important Historical Inventions and Inventors interesting table showing the invention, the date of it's patent, the inventor and his/her nationality. Inventions are categorized by calculating machines/computers, communication,construction, electricity and electronics, food and agriculture, medicine and biotechnology, industrial materials, scientific instruments and devices, transportation and energy, and warfare.

Step Seven: Visit the Idea Futurama pages. Examine some of the items that people have wanted to see in their homes and businesses in the future.

Review the information you have gathered about your invention and consider how this invention influences the lives of people alive today. Was this an important invention? Why? In your own words, write a paragraph predicting the future of this product. Will the product be available in 10 years? Why or why not? Will people's needs change? What might the product be expected to do differently than it does today? How would it be improved? How might its appearance change?

Step Eight: Bring your completed graphic organizer to technology class to begin your HyperStudio Stack

Rube Goldberg's inventions

Invention Dimension all about a variety of inventions. Lots of fun facts.

Totally Absurd Inventions a hilarious look at some patented inventions. Each one listed is completely illustrated and described.

Great Idea Finder brainstorm and evaluate ideas to create a plan for your own invention.

Invention Convention This site hotlists many resources that will assist students in the development of a new invention. Teacher Resource for Invention Convention.

US Patent and Trademark Office Kids' Page produced especially for students this site, offers information about protecting the inventor's rights.

3M Collaborative Invention Unit tips and methods to make your own inventions.

The History of... a site with more than 200 links on topics from acupuncture to zoos.

Reviewed, January, 2006
Web Designer: J. Beyersdorfer