Invention Convention

INVENTION CONVENTION TIME

All 3rd grade students will be participating in Windermere's Invention Convention. Students have studied the invention process, have identified a problem and are developing a solution to solve their problem. Students will be sharing and improving their work over the next few weeks as we prepare for our Invention Convention on March 31st from 10 to 11am. I encourage all families to attend (and ask hard questions!). You are also encouraged to take your student out for a celebratory lunch afterward.

Student Journals - due Monday, March 9th

Students viewed a slide show of problems and inventively simple solutions to get them thinking. They then generated three possible problems to solve in their Invention Convention Student Journal.

They should complete their student journal by Monday, March 9th. Students have used iPads to research their problems and solutions, but should continue to look for ideas and inspiration when they are out and about. Often times, simply using tools, playing with pets or friends, or going to the store can be research and they should document it in their journal. The purpose of the journal is to generate ideas and organize them. I am not concerned with spelling or other forms of convention, just ideas and creativity.

Students DO NOT have to complete the "How I improved my solution" until they have constructed their prototype (see below).

Display Boards - due Monday, March 9th

Display boards are due Monday, March 9th. I sent home a paper copy of the display board requirements (click below)  with student journals today.

Display boards will be constructed at home as homework, along with completing the student journal, in lieu of regular homework this week.

Tri-fold display boards may be purchased at United Art & Education,  Staples, Office Max, CVS and many groceries.  Please do not use poster board as it is hard for the students to talk, hold their student journals, and model their solution with their prototype.

(click to enlarge)

This was sent home today, separate from the student journal.

Here are several display board examples: While these don't follow all of the requirements for the board above, they will give you and your student some ideas. I have shared many different examples with your student so they should be familiar with this step. Anything on their board should be securely attached so it won't fall off. Text should be large and easily visible. Encourage your student to be creative and have fun! The more of their personality that comes through, the better!

Students can use a computer or markers. Photos of their process are also encouraged, especially if they are able to try their prototype.

Please write your student's name and their teacher name on the back of their display board so it is easily visible. 

Prototype - due Monday, March 16th

Students will build a representative (does not have to be a fully operational) prototype. If the technology already exists, they can simply mock it up (e.g., a garage door opener can be replicated from cardboard).

These will be due on Monday, March 16th. Prototypes must be no larger than a paper box (approximately 20" x 12" x 12") and may not use electricity (except for batteries). 

Prototypes will be constructed at home as homework. 

Convention - Tuesday, March 31st from 10 till 11am

Students will present their journal, display board, and prototype the morning of March 31st.

Families are encouraged to help us celebrate student inventions and interview students on their invention process. You are also encouraged to go out for a celebratory lunch afterward.

Help

The most common question I receive is, "How much should parents help?"

It is important to note that while we may have some inspiring outliers, these should be student directed problems and solutions. As much as we want to help them (and you can), the ideas and solutions should be theirs. You can ask questions and let them arrive at their own conclusions. The Invention Convention is all about the process.

You can probably help most by having them plan and do a little work daily so they don't have to cram the night before their materials are due.

This is NOT parent work. You may help your student by encouraging them to think about their invention. You can even help them assemble their boards and prototypes, but students must be able to explain their work and demonstrate understanding of every step of the process. We are not looking for robots or technologically bound solutions, but simple and achievable solutions to problems that impact many people. The real benefit of this project is the student learning. We want our future leaders to see they can identify and solve others' problems.