Inventions and Inventors Teacher Resources
Find Inventions and Inventors lesson plans and worksheets
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Curated OER
Mildred Brown: "Community Treasure" Hunt
Fourth graders delve into a hunt for information on an African American activist from the state of Nebraska. Primary and secondary sources of data are utilized in this search.
Curated OER
Consider How Their Thoughts Changed the World
Students research a woman who changed the world, and then consider the ways her life might influence their own. They access websites and videos about these women which are imbedded in the plan.
Curated OER
Egyptian Inspiration Web
Students conduct Internet research to discover information about scientific, technological, cultural and intellectual achievements in Egypt, along with Egyptian family life. Students create Inspiration webs of their findings.
Curated OER
Buckyball
In this molecules instructional activity, students read about the discovery of new carbon molecule which has been nicknamed buckyball. Students answer 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Focusing Event to Electricity
Students explain how electrical charges behave. In this electricity lesson, students determine how far away lightning is when it strikes. They research how fabric softener reduces static electricity and share their findings in class.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Zoom Inventors and Inventions
This site has an alphabetized list of inventions and inventors throughout history. You can also explore by era, topic or nationality.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: You, Too, Can Be an Inventor!
How have inventions changed the world? This unit focuses on the importance, the process and the creativity involved in inventing. Through the study of inventions and inventors, students learn how inventions are created and the...
Other
Explain That Stuff: Inventors and Inventions
Inventing isn't just about coming up with a great idea; that's the easy part! There's also the matter of turning an idea into a product that sells enough to recoup the cost of putting it on the market. And there's the ever-present...
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Invention at Play
In this mind challenging and creative site, you will learn how play and inventiveness are related. Hear inventors' stories, set your own inventive thinking in motion, and see video commentaries about the nature of play and whether or not...
A&E Television
History.com: Inventions & Science
Inventions from the telephone to the Model T and the computer have defined human history, and inventors like Leonardo da Vinci, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Eli Whitney and Alexander Graham Bell have transformed our society.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Thomas Edison's Places of Invention
An article by Paul Israel from the Prototype newsletter discusses the various laboratories used by Thomas Edison as he was developing his inventions.
Other
Time Toast: Famous Inventions
An interactive timeline featuring inventions discovered between the late nineteenth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century.
Other
History of Telephone Sets: Graham Bell Invents the Telephone
A short summary of how Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) came to invent the telephone.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Innovative Lives
At this site from the Smithsonian Institute you can explore the world of invention by learning about inventors and their inventions. Searchable by name or subject, it is a great way for students to learn about science and technology.
South Carolina Educational Television
Know It All Media: Nasa: The Invention Timeline
An interactive timeline of notable inventions and inventors from the 19th century to the present.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Percy Spencer: Microwave Inventor
Read about the moment Percy Spencer discovered how microwaves heated objects. This discovery led to the invention of the microwave oven.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventing Modern America: Games
Students are challenged to a five-question quiz about when certain objects are invented.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Forgotten Inventors
This illustrated feature from the American Experience Web site highlights the frequently forgotten inventors of several useful, innovative technologies.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Comparing & Contrasting Inventors
What do inventors have that are alike? How are they different? Why do they invent? Learning about them may inspire you to invent new technology! In this lesson, students will compare and contrast key details in two texts on the topic of...
National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees
The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) recognizes the enduring legacies of exceptional U.S. patent holders. Inventors not only create new inventions, but they can create new industries that employ millions of people. Their...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Kid Inventor: Newspaper Crank
In this video segment from ZOOM, Andrew demonstrates how his invention helps him get ready for his paper route. [1:30]
PBS
Pbs Kids Clubhouse Adventures: Clubhouse Theme: What Are Inventions?
Abby Brown, KIDS Clubhouse Adventures co-host, loves to help kids have fun while learning! In this segment, Abby teaches kids about a few famous inventors, including Karl Benz, Thomas Edison, and Lizzie Maggie. [2:05]
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Thomas Edison's Inventive Life
This site is a complete resource for learning about Edison's life, his inventions, and electricity. If you like experimenting, there are instructions included for how to make your own light bulb. Good photos.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Inventive Women Part 1
Students will learn about female inventors and their contributions to American technology.