- Performance Task
- Created by Defined Learning
- 32 Student Check-ins
- 6 Products
Introduction
Your community is having an invention contest. The winner of this contest will be given a chance to have their inventions manufactured and sold in a local store. You will want to make sure that your invention will be unique and interesting so that people will want to buy it. You and your team have decided to study what products your local community may be interested in. Remember, new inventions and products can make our lives easier. Once you decide on what you will invent, you will need to create a model that you can enter into the contest for the judges to see.
Driving Question
- What is an inventor?
- What can you design and build to make your life easier?
- What makes an invention successful?
- What is the importance of building a model of your invention?
Big Idea
- A technological world requires that humans develop capabilities to solve technological challenges and improve products for the way we live.
- Technological design is a creative process that anyone can do which may result in new inventions and innovations.
- Technology is created, used and modified by humans. Technological literacy is the ability to use, assess and manage technology around us.
Essential Questions
- How does the engineering design process help humans create new inventions and innovations?
- How do human wants and needs affect the products that are used and created?
- In what ways do humans create, use and modify technologies?
G.R.A.S.P.
Your goal is to study what types of products would make the lives of the people in your community easier. You want your invention/product to win the invention contest.
Role
You are part of a team of young inventors who want to create a new and helpful invention for the community.
Audience
Your audience will be the people who live in the community and the judges for the invention contest.
Situation
Your community is having an invention contest. The contest winners will be given a chance to have their inventions manufactured and sold in a local store.You want to make your invention stand out and be interesting to the people who may want to buy it. Your invention will become your product. You and your team have decided to study what products your local community may want to make their lives easier. Once you find out, you will create a model that you will enter in the contest.
Illustration
Suggested starting product:
Illustrate a picture of an invention that you use in your daily life. Be sure to label your picture and give it a title.
Research
Study and research to find areas of need or want in your community. Watch people in the neighborhood, in their work places, or on the playground. What kinds of products could you invent that would make their daily activities easier or better? When you are at school, think of the things that would help students finish their work more efficiently. Also, what things could you invent that would make the custodians' life or the cafeteria staff's lives easier? Keep a notebook to collect and record your notes and ideas.
Product Prototype
First, you should draw a picture of your invention making sure to include all of its dimensions. Then you may create a model of your invention using useful classroom supplies if available. This model will be your prototype. Be sure you are able to explain its function and how it will improve the lives of those who use it.
Advertisement
Create a commercial for your product. Your product is your invention. Make sure you explain what it is and how using it will make life better. Be sure to hook your audience with a catchy phrase or jingle. Also, include the cost of the product and where it will be available for purchase. You can record your commercial and play it for the class (you can use any type of technology to do this), or perform it live.
Oral Presentation
Create an oral presentation that explains the creation process and the purpose of your new invention. Be sure to explain why your product will make life better for those who use it!
Journal Prompt
Suggested final product:
Tell me what you learned from inventing a product that people want and need in their daily lives.
Defined Learning Videos
Runtime: 4:45
Runtime: 1:34
Defined Learning Resources
Consumerism
Constructed Response
In our economy, a consumer is a person who buys products and things from a store. A consumer can also buy services from a company.
Inventions
Constructed Response
Inventions are useful things that are thought of and made by an inventor. Humans use inventions everyday.
Product Prototype
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What does your invention to help people?
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How can your invention be measured?
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What does your invention look like?
Advertisement
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Why is your invention unique?
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How will your invention help people?
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How do the parts of your invention function?
Oral Presentation
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Why did you create this invention?
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What is the purpose of your invention and who will use it?
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How will your invention work?
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What is your invention?
Research
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How do inventions help people?
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What are things that people need?
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What is the difference between what people need and what people want?
Illustration
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What is the most helpful invention that you use?
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What is your favorite invention that you use?
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What is an invention?
Journal Prompt
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What inventions do you use that improve your daily life?
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How do inventions help people?
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What did you learn about inventions?
Process Video
Design Process
Brainstorm Ideas
It's time to think about product development. You will begin with ideation, which is the start of the creative process. During the ideation phase, you will brainstorm with your group about all the potential ways you could approach this product. Remember, the more creative and innovative your ideas are at this stage, the better! Your group will need to check and make sure that each of your initial ideas are meeting the requirements related to the goal, audience and product description. What are the directions or criteria that need to be followed? Who is your audience and what will they need from this product?
Analyze & Decide
As you discuss the possibilities during your brainstorming, you will narrow the ideas down to those that seem like they would best solve the problem or address the challenge. Once you have narrowed down to two or three ideas, grab some paper and a pencil and make an outline or sketch a plan for each one. What will the product need to include? How will you best use the information that you found in your research to create it? What would the product look like based upon each idea?
After outlining your product ideas. Discuss with your group and decide on ONE that you would like to move forward with. When you have selected one idea, you will move on to the creation phase, keeping in mind that you may go through several rounds of creation and revision before you are ready to present.
Create & Revise
It is possible that while you are creating the first version of your product, you will develop more questions that need to be answered before you can continue. If so, you may need to do additional research. Reflect on how any new information affects your product and make revisions as needed.
Your group should also be looking at the rubric during the creation phase. Here, you can practice thinking critically and collaborating with your peers to understand what needs to be included in your product. Then, you should reflect on whether or not your initial work meets those criteria. If you realize that it does not, you may need to go back and make additional revisions.
As you work through the process of creating and revising your product, communication with your teacher and classmates will be very valuable. Asking for help and discussing your product with others can help you clarify whether or not your product meets the goal of the task and is appropriate for the audience.
Remember, creating this product is a fun opportunity to apply what you have learned about important topics in a more creative and independent way.
Brainstorming: Based on your group's analysis of the research, brainstorm potential solutions, designs, and recommendations
Enter your brainstorming ideas below.
Analyze/Decide: Based on your group's brainstorming - decide on the best ways to move forward and create a product that meets the needs of the target audience and addresses the goal of the task.
Write below what you or your team have decided to create.
Illustration
Suggested starting product:
Illustrate a picture of an invention that you use in your daily life. Be sure to label your picture and give it a title.
Research
Study and research to find areas of need or want in your community. Watch people in the neighborhood, in their work places, or on the playground. What kinds of products could you invent that would make their daily activities easier or better? When you are at school, think of the things that would help students finish their work more efficiently. Also, what things could you invent that would make the custodians' life or the cafeteria staff's lives easier? Keep a notebook to collect and record your notes and ideas.
Product Prototype
First, you should draw a picture of your invention making sure to include all of its dimensions. Then you may create a model of your invention using useful classroom supplies if available. This model will be your prototype. Be sure you are able to explain its function and how it will improve the lives of those who use it.
Advertisement
Create a commercial for your product. Your product is your invention. Make sure you explain what it is and how using it will make life better. Be sure to hook your audience with a catchy phrase or jingle. Also, include the cost of the product and where it will be available for purchase. You can record your commercial and play it for the class (you can use any type of technology to do this), or perform it live.
Oral Presentation
Create an oral presentation that explains the creation process and the purpose of your new invention. Be sure to explain why your product will make life better for those who use it!
Journal Prompt
Suggested final product:
Tell me what you learned from inventing a product that people want and need in their daily lives.
This is the end of the project. Be sure all check-ins and products are completed!
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Related Content
Constructed Responses
Inventions
Inventions are useful things that are thought of and made by an inventor. Humans use inventions everyday.
Flesch Kincaid Grade: 7.4
| Common Core Band | ATOS | Degrees of Reading Power® | Flesch-Kincaid | The Lexile Framerwork® | Reading Maturity | SourceRater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th - 5th | 4.97 - 7.03 | 52 - 60 | 4.51 - 7.73 | 740 - 1010 | 5.42 - 7.92 | 0.84 - 5.75 |
| 6th - 8th | 7.00 - 9.98 | 57 - 67 | 6.51 - 10.34 | 925 - 1185 | 7.04 - 9.57 | 4.11 - 10.66 |
Consumerism
In our economy, a consumer is a person who buys products and things from a store. A consumer can also buy services from a company.