Curated OER
History of the Telephone, Radio, and Light Bulb
Students research and discuss the history of the telephone, radio, and light bulb. In this invention history lesson, students access Internet sites to explore the inventors and the invention of the telephone, the radio, and the light...
New Jersey Historical Commission and New Jersey Council for the Humanities
Thomas Edison: The Wizard of Menlo Park
What would change in your daily life due to a power outage? Here, learners explore the inventions brought to us by the one and only, Thomas Edison, and imagine a day without them. Scholars take part in a grand conversation and write a...
Curated OER
Invention/Innovation/Creative Thinking/Opportunities/Ideas
Students, while examining inventions and innovators, identify, differentiate and discuss five Canadian inventors/innovations. After applying creative thinking strategies to a promotional piece, students brainstorm patents.
Curated OER
The Invention of the Popsicle
For this invention of the popsicle worksheet, students read for information and assess comprehension. Students answer six multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
The Invention of the Telephone
Learners study the history of the telephone and its inventor. In this communications lesson students complete a tuning fork experiment to further demonstrate how sound is produced.
Curated OER
Imaginative Minds
Eighth graders study the lives and creations of several significant inventors as well as designing their own invention and submitting it to a mock patent process. They determine the importance of notable inventions and their impact on...
Curated OER
Economics Lesson: The Real McCoy
Students research the origination of the expression "The Real McCoy." In this economics research lesson plan, students read the book The Real McCoy. Students examine Elijah McCoy and his invention of the oil cup and how it relates to the...
K12 Reader
African American Inventors: Patricia Bath
Young readers practice their comprehension skills by responding to a series of text-based questions on a passage about Patricia Bath, the first black woman medical doctor to receive a patent.
Curriculum Corner
African American Inventors
Celebrate Black History Month with a packet of materials on African American inventors. Readers discover several inventors' character traits, their inventions, and their lives. They even have the opportunity to conduct further research...
Curated OER
the Business of Good Ideas
Students consider economic factors in patenting a new invention. They research an already-patented health product and assess its profitability.
Curated OER
Glidden's Patent Application for Barbed Wire
Students discuss the invention of barbed wire and how it affected various groups of peoples in the U.S. after its invention.
Curated OER
Alexander Graham Bell's Patent for the Telephone and Thomas Edison's Patent for the Electric Lamp
Students read a short biographical account about Bell and student B about Edison. Ask each pair to exchange information and determine what qualities these inventors shared. Ask students if they think all inventors share these qualities.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Stop and Go
It's "Green light, go!" with this lesson plan! STEM classes are illuminated with the history of traffic signals and how the engineering design has improved over time. They also learn about patents for new inventions. Finally, they...
Curated OER
Internet Inventors Scavenger Hunt
In this inventors scavenger hunt worksheet, students research 10 different significant inventors known to history. First, they read each question to determine which inventor to search for using the Internet. Then, students write a...
Curated OER
What Can You Make of It?
Students investigate the various uses of a paper cup. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students investigate various ways to use a paper cup by identifying its characteristics. Students sketch their discovery.
Curated OER
Thomas Edison on Trial
Students learn about Thomas Edison and his invention laboratory/factory and the concept that he might not have given enough credit to the employees who invented for him. They hold a trial to determine guilt or innocence as a outcome.
Curated OER
History In the House
Students analyze primary sources. In this historical analysis activity, students will closely examine the household objects that most impact their lives. Students will use research, analysis, and class discussion to draw parallels...
Curated OER
Clever Contraptions
Students appraise the qualities of successful inventors and inventions, as well as examine the ways in which the Internet supports inventors, as a springboard for designing and 'patenting' inventions that would be helpful to them in...
Curated OER
Learning About the Great Inventor: Thomas Edison Lesson Plans
Thomas Edison facts can inspire students to create their own inventions, and persevere despite adversity.
Curated OER
The Dymaxion Car
In this motion activity, students read about the invention of the Dymaxion car that was designed to achieve high speeds. Students complete 2 short answer questions based on the reading.
Curated OER
Inventors Timelines
Young scholars create a class timeline using the patent year for their selected inventor or invention. Using a piece of yarn, they physically create a timeline, and create and answer math word problems using the years from the timeline.
Nikola Tesla documentary student worksheet
PBS documentary: Tesla - Master of Lightning; this worksheet will keep the students engaged while watching this excellent documentary about Tesla. The documentary can be found on Netflix or YouTube. It will take two class periods to...
K12 Reader
African American Inventors: Granville T. Woods
Get to know inventor, Granville T. Woods. Who is he? From what state did Woods come? What did he design? All questions your scholars will find the answers to with this response-to-reading activity.
Curated OER
The Incorporation of America
The incorporation and industrialization of America is covered in this image-rich slide show. While text is limited, there is no shortage of great images showing the progression and causes of American Industrialization. Perfect...