Lesson Plan
Better Lesson

Better Lesson: Comparing & Contrasting Inventors

For Teachers 1st - 3rd Standards
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! For this lesson, students will compare and contrast key details in two texts on the topic of...
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Innovative Lives: Stephanie Kwolek and Kevlar, the Wonder Fiber

For Students 9th - 10th
Smithsonian site features Stephanie Kwolek, the inventor of kevlar. Learn about her famous discovery and the road she took to get there. Contains links to read more about women inventors.
Website
Curated OER

Cbc Kids: 10 of the Latest Inventions to Make Life a Little Easier

For Students 3rd - 5th
Learn about some of the nifty inventions that add more functionality to common objects. With the Smart toothbrush, your teeth will be clean in no time. The Albert Clock forces you to answer a Math question before it tells you the time....
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Alexander Graham Bell: Scientist, Inventor, and Teacher

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Using a short video and two primary sources, students will learn about Bell's inventions and his work with the deaf community.
Article
Other

Ed Surge: Can Anyone Be an Inventor? Mit's Invention Education Officer Says Yes

For Students 9th - 10th
This article is part of The EdSurge Podcast. Today, there are plenty of middle and high school students who have developed solutions to major economic and social challenges, ranging from health care and transportation to agriculture and...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Women Inventors

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover the contributions of several women inventors. Did you know a woman invented the Kevlar Vest? Teacher resources available for download.
Website
Vassar College

1896: Inventions

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief recounting of the influx of inventions in the late 19th century that flooded the market. Of particular interest is the description of the use of hot air balloons.
Handout
Other

Black Inventor Online Museum: Jan Matzeliger

For Students 9th - 10th
A very complete biography of African-American inventor, Jan Matzeliger, who developed the shoe-lasting machine. Read about the development of his invention, and see pictures of the machine and the patent drawing.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Forgotten Inventors

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is an accounting of a few inventions, most of which were invented in the 1800s, that often are overlooked. Find out about how the can opener was invented as well as that clothing staple, the denim jeans.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Nara: Teaching With Documents: Telephone and Light Patent Drawings

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson plan about Alexander Graham Bell's patent for the telephone and Thomas Edison's patent for the electric lamp. Contains good background information and historically pertinent documents. It also discusses the role corporations...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: American Inventors

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students will learn about 8 American inventors from the 1800's. They will use the internet of encyclopedia disc to research and print pictures and information about these people.
Website
Rutgers University

Blueprint for Change: The Life and Times of Lewis H. Latimer

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive look at the inventor, Lewis Latimer, from the Thomas Edison Papers at Rutgers University. Read essays about his life and inventions, the culture in Boston which encouraged his work, and his life outside his inventions. A...
Website
Other

History of Recording Technology: Edison's Invention of the Phonograph

For Students 9th - 10th
Click through the pages on this site to read about Edison's development of the phonograph as well as a discussion of Edison's rivals who were seeking to develop a similar product. Read about the changes in the ways to record sound as the...
Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

National Air and Space Museum: Wright Brothers: Who Were Wilbur and Orville?

For Students 9th - 10th
Classroom activities, interactive experiments, timelines, and other artifacts that celebrate the Wright brothers' first flight.
Handout
Great Idea Finder

Computing History

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains a listing of computing inventions and inventors throughout history with links for more detailed information.
Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: R. Buckminster Fuller

For Students 3rd - 8th
Read about the transcendentalist and inventor, R. Buckminster Fuller, who created the geodesic dome.
Website
New York Times

New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: Inventors

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The New York Times Learning Network has developed interactive & printable crossword puzzles. The theme of this one is Inventors.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Innovative Lives

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Helen Murray Free

For Students 3rd - 8th
Biography of Helen Free, detailing her life as a chemist and inventor who developed many products for consumer use, including a convenient at-home glocose level test.
Handout
Alberta Online Encyclopedia

Alberta Online Encyclopedia: Alberta Inventors and Inventions: Sectors of Discovery

For Students 9th - 10th
The 11 Sectors of Discovery have been highlighted, with significant inventions by Albertan's highlighted in each category.
Handout
Alberta Online Encyclopedia

Alberta Online Encyclopedia: Alberta Inventors and Inventions: Peter Jacobs

For Students 9th - 10th
Peter Jacobs invented many interesting items in his life, including the famous 'Jaycopter'. Explore this site by the Heritage Community Foundation to find out more about Peter Jacobs and his inventions.
Handout
Alberta Online Encyclopedia

Alberta Online Encyclopedia: Alberta Inventors and Inventions: Stephen Snow Sears

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about Stephen Sears, an Albertan who patented an invention, a weed killer, in 1929, in addition to modifying a Stook Loader.
Handout
Alberta Online Encyclopedia

Alberta Online Encyclopedia: Alberta Inventors and Inventions: Dave Hygaard

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the 'Arctic Chiller Water Bottle'--an invention from a Sherwood Park, Alberta, sandwich maker!
Handout
Alberta Online Encyclopedia

Alberta Online Encyclopedia: Alberta's Inventors and Inventions Edukit

For Students 9th - 10th
Both educators and students will find this site on Alberta inventors and inventions most useful.Info sheets, lesson plans, multimedia, invention diagrams, and more are included.

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