TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Biomimicry: Natural Designs
Students learn about biomimicry and how engineers often imitate nature in the design of innovative new products. They demonstrate their knowledge of biomimicry by practicing brainstorming and designing a new product based on what they...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History
At the museum's online home, find illustrated and interactive overviews of its collections and programs, along with an extensive set of innovative resources for teaching and learning about major events and themes in American history and...
Energy for Sustainable Development
Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Pioneers: John Frederic Daniell
A profile of John Frederic Daniell (1790-1845) who was a British chemist and meteorologist. He invented the first reliable DC battery. His inventions included a hygrometer, a pyrometer, and several types of batteries.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 435: Hedy Lamarr, Inventor
Read about the remarkable actress Hedy Lamarr who, together with composer George Antheil, invented a technology that used frequency hopping to improve the effectiveness of Allied torpedoes during WWII. Their invention was not put into...
PBS
Pbs Nova: The Design Process: From Idea to Solution
What does innovation look like, and how can one generate innovative ideas in the classroom? This collection is built around "design thinking" and is intended to help educators and learners explore the invention of real, practical...
BBC
Bbc: The Channel Tunnel
This illustrated feature provides a history of the Channel Tunnel, the train tunnel connecting France and Britain under the English Channel, officially opened in 1994.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Eric S. Lander, ph.d.
Biography of Eric Lander a scientist and pioneer of human gene research and medicine.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Transforming the Waterfront: San Francisco and Oakland, Ca.
Containers-steel boxes stuffed with goods-and the systems for transferring them between ships, trucks, and trains transformed commercial shipping. Containerization streamlined freight handling and slashed the cost of transporting cargoes...
PBS
American Experience: Technology Timeline: 1752 1990
Short descriptions of important technological innovations produced in America and the date of their introduction.
National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame: George Eastman
Read a biography of George Eastman and find out how his inventions and innovations revolutionized photography.
Ohio State University
Osu History Teaching Institute: Alexander Graham Bell Primary Source Activity
Eighth graders will critically examine primary sources to gain a better understanding of Alexander Graham Bell and the impact of his inventions.
Great Idea Finder
The Great Idea Finder: History of Computing
The Great Idea Finder offers a timeline of the history of computers. Each innovation and invention is also click-able for more information.
PBS
Pbs: They Made America
Companion site to the four-part series on looking at America through inventors. Focuses on inventors from the early days of the country to modern day. From Robert Fulton and Samuel Colt, to Ted Turner and Russell Simmons, this site...
PBS
Pbs: A Science Odyssey
Website for the PBS series "A Science Odyssey." Numerous opportunities to explore the people and discoveries of science.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Capital Chips (Part 3)
Through the use of a historical timeline of the capital investments made by the company the resulting benefits will be examined. The benefits from the capital investments of Herr Foods, Inc. will be related to their effect on the...
National Academy of Engineering
Greatest Achievements: Computers
Computers are one of the top 20 engineering innovations of the 20th century. Read the history behind this great invention.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Rapid Prototyping Google Glass
Rapid prototyping is a method used to accelerate the innovation process. Tom Chi explains how this method was used to create one of Google's newest inventions, Google Glass. [8:08]
Other
Milwaukee Art Museum: In the Year 2121
Students research the advances of an invention's industrial design over decades or centuries. They then project future improvements and innovations with drawings and descriptive prose.
National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame
Get a taste of what inventors do by exploring exhibits at the National Inventors Hall of Fame in North Canton, OH.
BBC
Bbc: Bitesize History: The Industrial Revolution: Causes
An overview of historians' views of the causes of the Industrial Revolution in Britain and of the inventions, inventors, and industries that propelled it.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: An Introduction to the Song Dynasty (960 1279)
The Song dynasty was the second great "medieval" period of China. Northern Song (while it lasted) and the Southern Song (from 1127 until 1279) achieved incredible feats of learning, science, art, and philosophy. International trade and...
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity
The Engines of Our Ingenuity is a radio program that tells the story of how our culture is formed by human creativity. The program uses the record of history to reveal the way art, technology, and ideas have shaped us. Episode topics...
Read Works
Read Works: Practice Makes Perfect
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about creating or improving innovative products. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Nasa Online: Invention Process: Brain Teasers
Interactive brain games that challenge thinking and creativity skills.