Inventions and Inventors Teacher Resources

Students examine the realm and power of inventions, and recognize their impact on people and society. Small groups pretend to have been hired by Edison to make special posters that advertise the uses and benefits of the light bulb.

In this inventions activity, students are given a list of inventions that they are to write in order of which was invented first to last. Students put 10 inventions in order.

What does it take to be an entrepreneur? What traits does a person need? Find out as you and your class brainstorm along with this presentation. The traits of inventors, types of entrepreneurs, and their role in the economy are...

Middle schoolers, assessing a variety of sources, explore the growth of inventions that were brought about by the Industrial Revolution. They analyze labor practices and philosophies within the history of the United States. A timeline is...

While a woman didn't invent the parasol, three women received patents for their improvements to the original design of umbrellas. In the first of a two-part series on inventive women, class members investigate the patent system to...

Students examine the way various inventions have changed their lives. As a class, they create a timeline of the most important inventions during their lifetime and another timeline of how old they were when it was invented. ...

For this science worksheet, students match each invention or device to its inventor listed on the right. There are 32 inventors listed and some may be used twice. Then they order the items in each group from oldest to newest and state...

Young scholars identify how inventions can be used in different ways.  In this inventions lesson students brainstorm different uses as a group and fill out a worksheet.

Students are introduced to a groups of African American inventors. In groups, they research the role of each person in improving different industries. They also examine the barriers African Americans faced from the Civil War to the...

Students discover the life of Benjamin Franklin by studying his inventions.  In this biography lesson, students identify the inventions of Benjamin Franklin and their impact on society today.  Students create a commercial in an attempt...

Students select an invention from a list, observe the invention for one whole day to determine how their selected invention impacts their daily life. They share their observations as a class and describe their experiences.

Fifth graders learn the importance of a patent for a new invention. They use the internet to practice typing a classroom patent for a compound machine that their class invented. While on the website, 5th graders choose a month and...

The best inventions come from a problem that needs to be solved! Given a container with holes in it, learners must solve how to stop liquid from pouring out. They work together to develop an invention to accomplish this task.

Students study the invention of the parachute and how Leonardo da Vinci came up with the design.  For this aerodynamics lesson students test the properties that make parachutes more efficient.

Students research the Industrial Revolution. In this Industrial Revolution lesson plan, students research on the Internet, with books, magazines, fill out worksheets, and more to learn about inventions that were made out of necessity or...

Students complete a web survey for Thomas Edison's inventions. In this Thomas Edison lesson, students visit the websites to learn about the inventions of Thomas Edison.

Students consider toys as more than items for playing, compare and contrast inventors and toys they created, and discuss purpose of specific toys, including whether toy was created for education, financial success, or both.

Thomas Alva Edison may be one of the most well-known scientists to elementary or middle schoolers. Use his story to show that he invented more than just the light bulb and to inspire youngsters to work hard! You could use this on the...

Students read and analyze original telegrams to learn about people involved in and process of building the world's first Ferris wheel, examine correspondence between inventor and engineer to understand planning necessary to build Ferris...

Learners see what inventors have to think about when making an invention, particularly the kinds of effects they can have on people.

Students brainstorm a list of inventions that have affected their lives. In groups, they use the internet to research a specific inventor and their invention. They use the information to write two paragraphs and share their information...

Students use a variety of linked sites to research information about student inventions and contests that are available for them. They research an invention they would like to see become available. They communicate their results to their...

Many historical innovations were created for the common good. Get your students ready for life as a critical thinker with this lesson plan which defines the differences between innovation and invention. They will conduct Internet...

Learners understand that inventions fulfill a need. In this inventions lesson, students create simple designs of inventions that fill a need and understand the value of how inventions help society.