Invention Convention 2012
Burke's Eleventh Annual Invention Convention
Friday, March 2, 8:30 - 10:30: Fourth Grade
Friday, March 9, 8:30 - 10:30: Third Grade
Jump to:
Timeline of the Invention Project
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dear Third and Fourth Grade Parents,
This year Burke’s will host our eleventh annual Invention Convention! This project is a rite of passage for third and fourth graders. Younger students look forward to creating and sharing inventions, and Upper School girls look back on the project fondly.
The goal of the project is for each girl to use her creativity and imagination to invent a solution to a problem. In science class, we will follow the steps of the design process to transform her idea into a prototype that she can share with the school community.
Most of the work to create the inventions will be done at school, and science time will be dedicated to working on inventions. The girls will be asked to bring in materials to create their inventions (aside from common classroom materials like tape, staples, paper, etc.) and will probably seek your help with gathering the necessary materials. These should not be a major financial investment. I will be encouraging the girls to use simple materials and think about repurposing things they already have around the house. Re-using materials not only saves money, but also has a smaller impact on the environment and fosters creativity.
Included in this packet is a timeline of the invention project and a list of what is required of the girls. One change from past years is that the third grade and fourth grade will share their inventions with the Burke’s community on separate days, rather than in one combined Convention.
A copy of this letter, the project’s due dates, and requirements will also be posted on the third and fourth grade pages of the Burke’s website: www.kdbs.org. There will be opportunities for parent volunteers on the day of the Invention Convention. I will send home information about volunteering closer to the date of the Invention Convention.
Please contact me, instead of the classroom teachers, with any questions about this project. Thanks for your time, flexibility, and support of this exciting project!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth McDonald, Lower School Science Teacher
(415) 751-0187 x273
elizabeth.m@kdbs.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Timeline of the Invention Project
(Italics = the students’ focus each month & Boldface = a deadline)
At any point in the process, if a girl wants/needs extra time to work on her invention, she is welcome to come to the Science Lab on Mondays from 3:20 – 4:00. I am happy to schedule other times after school to help students with inventions – please contact me.
December – Invention introduction: The girls will be introduced to the project requirements, learn about the design process, and begin brainstorming ideas. Each girl has an Inventor’s Log to keep her brainstorm lists and invention ideas in.
December 16 – Third and fourth graders should have at least 3 ideas for inventions written down in their invention log. Students brainstorm multiple ideas so they can use a backup idea in case their first idea falls through.
January – Collect materials for invention. Build a prototype or several prototypes, and begin to test and get feedback from peers. Science and lab time will be devoted to helping the girls build their inventions. There may be times when the girls will need to finish parts of these tasks at home. Each girl will check in with Ms. McDonald weekly about her progress on her project.
February 3 – At least a first prototype of the invention should be completed.
February – Continue the process of testing, getting feedback from peer testers, and making changes to prototypes. Reflect on the invention process in Inventor’s Log (see the attached list of Inventor’s Log questions). Some Technology class time will be set aside during this month for girls to type the answers to their questions.
February 17 – Inventor’s Log reflections should be typed up by this time. If necessary, girls may be asked to finish typing their reflections at home.
Late February/March – Design the display for presenting the invention at the Convention, including a 9” x 12” poster advertising the usefulness of their invention. Make any last-minute changes to the inventions.
February 24 - Final draft of typed Inventor’s Log reflections are due.
March 2, 8:30-10:30 a.m. – Fourth Grade Invention Convention in the Burke’s lunchroom
March 9, 8:30-10:30 a.m. – Third Grade Invention Convention in the Burke’s lunchroom
On both Convention days: Parents and other family members are encouraged to come and view projects from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Other students from all grade levels will then visit the Invention Convention, along with Burke’s teachers and staff. There are many opportunities for parent volunteers on these exciting days!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Invention
Third graders develop their own individual invention. We will work as a community of inventors and students will help each other with peer testing, but each girl will present her own invention on March 9.
- The invention must perform a practical function to solve an everyday problem. Examples include tools to mend something, to make life easier, or to make a task safer.
Fourth grade girls may choose to work on their own or collaborate with a partner in her same section (4A or 4B) on developing an invention. There are perks and pitfalls to collaboration, and one of the downsides has proven to be the difficulty in arranging time outside of school to gather materials and work on the invention. We encourage the girls to discuss this decision with their parents.
- In fourth grade, the inventions will still have a practical function, but rather than focusing on personal everyday problems, fourth graders are asked to think more globally to solve one of several community or environmental problems.
All inventions must be portable. They cannot have sharp blades or use electrical power. (Battery-powered components, such as a flashlight, may be approved by Ms. McDonald, but the invention should not involve wiring circuits or anything that needs to be plugged in.)
Inventor’s Log (See below)
- The girls will collect ideas and rough designs in a log.
- Each girl will type her reflections in Science and Technology classes.
- She will also draw a diagram of her invention, showing the parts.
Display
- Students should plan how they would like to display their invention and prepare the necessary materials. An elaborate display is not necessary. Some students may want to bring in items that help them demonstrate the use of their invention such as a book for a bookmarker, a box of dirt for a garden tool, etc.
- Due to allergies and other issues, no food samples or treats will be allowed. If the student’s invention involves food she can bring in the necessary item as a prop only, not as a giveaway.
- Tables will be set up which will give each girl (or pair of girls) a space which is approximately 3’ wide x 2’ deep to present her invention.
- The Inventor’s Log reflections, diagram, and 9” x 12” poster will be part of the display as well.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Third Grade:
- Who was the user you had in mind when you designed this invention? What was their need or everyday problem? Example: A family with different tastes in salad dressings needs a way to keep the refrigerator organized.
- How does your invention work? Describe what the user does and what happens. On a separate piece of paper, draw a diagram and label the parts.
- Are there any levers in your invention? Where?
- Explain how you built your invention. What was the hardest part?
- How did your ideas/plans change through the process of designing and building your invention?
- If you had another month to work on your invention, what would you do?
At the end of your reflections, thank anyone that helped you with your invention!
Fourth Grade:
- Who was the user you had in mind when you designed this invention? What was their need or everyday problem? Example: A city that sometimes has rainstorms needs a way to keep the storm drains from clogging and flooding.
- How does your invention work? Describe what the user does and what happens. On a separate piece of paper, draw a diagram and label the parts.
- Are there any simple machines in your invention? What and where?
- Explain how you built your invention. What was the hardest part?
- How did your ideas/plans change through the process of designing and building your invention?
- If you had another month to work on your invention, what would you do?
At the end of your reflections, thank anyone that helped you with your invention!
