Wednesday night, April 25, Moriah fourth grade students and their teachers presented the culmination of their invention unit of study at the Invention Convention. Teachers had been working to foster the development of important science skills while giving the students opportunities to solve problems, think creatively and experiment as they invented or innovated a product.
They began by learning about different inventors and their inventions. The knowledge the students gained helped them to develop an appreciation for inventors and the process of inventing. The second step in the process was finding a need to fulfill or a problem to solve. Students brainstormed a new idea and created a detailed plan for their invention. The students wrote an intention, where they established what they hoped their invention would be, created a timeline, figured out the materials they would need and generated a blueprint of their invention. Building the prototype was the next step. The student inventors learned that plans need to be altered along the way and that trial and error is a part of the inventing process.
The students then applied for their very own patent. The application form was modeled after the U.S. Patent Office form. Once students received the patent for their invention, they created a strategy to market their product. They took into consideration their potential customer and how to best convince that customer the value of their idea through advertisements they designed on their own. As part of the invention unit this year, the students researched Israeli inventors and their inventions. They then created posters in Hebrew describing the Israeli inventions. Finally, the big night arrived where the children presented their inventions and projects to their parents and grandparents. There were a lot of “Ooohs and “Ahhhhs as everyone entered the room. Excitedly, the children explained their ideas to the crowd as people gathered around their displays. Each child received a special T-shirt as a reminder of a very special night that will be remembered by all!
