Examples of Past Student Inventions

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Florence Short
8 years ago
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1 Examples of Past Student Inventions I can't think of anything to invent! is a complaint parents sometimes hear when students begin the inventing process. You can encourage students by discussing some of the inventions listed here that students have created over the past few years. This list is just for examples. We are looking for your original ideas. a device that cleans gutters a plastic product that holds a book while you eat a rain poncho designed for use when riding a bicycle a lunch- box alarm that goes off when an unauthorized person opens the box a bird feeder that protects feed from wind and rain a new board game a newly designed bottle opener a toothpaste cap that minimizes waste and mess a device that prevents blisters from forming on hands when raking, shoveling, or sweeping a billfold that organizes money by denomination for blind people a new candy bar a new type of swing set clothing tags to help match and coordinate clothes a dog collar that lights up at night a bedspread that zips down the middle safety suspenders that light up at night for joggers or bikers a lock for a folding door a new type of ice cream container that minimizes mess a new type of rake that allows you to pick up leaves without bending over an infant support that prevents a very young baby from falling over a robot that distributes and collects student papers a glove with a light for signaling turns when riding a bike at night a better, more comfortable swing set a device to hold objects for disabled people who use a walker a computer program that includes graphics and music for entertaining children aged 3 months to 4 years a child's seat that fits a shopping cart a hearing- aid guard a mailbox alert device that signals when mail has been delivered to a roadside mailbox a leg cast sock to keep toes warm tapeless wrapping paper a comforter for cats an outside house light that flashes to signal police, firemen, or other helpers as to which house made a call for assistance a computer program that catalogs videotapes an eyeglass defogging device a device that makes it easier to swallow pills a drying rack for gloves a liquid that covers fade marks on blue jeans a light switch for young children a chocolate- candy device that prevents ice cream cones from dripping a bus- stop night light

a device that cleans gutters a plastic product that holds a book while you eat a rain poncho designed for use when riding a bicycle a lunch- box alarm that goes off when an unauthorized person opens

2 Invention Creation Suggested Guidelines Below is a list of suggested guidelines for the Inventors Creation: 1. An invention must be the product of the student s creation. 2. An invention must meet the following definition: An invention must have utility; it must solve a real problem. It is something that no one has ever made before. It cannot be purchased in a store or found in a book. An invention may be a non- obvious improvement to an existing object that yields new utility. 3. The cost of the materials for the invention should not exceed $20. Inventors are encouraged to use recycled materials. All parts to the invention must be functional. The invention must be able to perform the task it is designed to accomplish. 4. The invention must be accompanied by a self- standing display board (requiring no more than 24 inches of table space). The display must include the following information: The title of the invention A description of the problem the invention solves with pictures or drawings A description of how the invention works with picture or drawings The inventor s name, grade and short biography 5. The inventor must submit an inventor s log that includes the following information: A written statement of the purpose of the invention and the problem it solves A list of materials used A list of steps taken to complete the invention, including a description of any problems encountered and drawings or pictures of attempts that failed and dates. A statement of originality, including description of what the inventor did to establish that the invention does not already exist, with parent verification. (e.g., a description of a Google search done to see if the solution is known.) 6. The invention must fit in a space that is two feet by two feet; larger inventions should be represented by a working model or diagram.

It cannot be purchased in a store or found in a book. An invention may be a non- obvious improvement to an existing object that yields new utility. 3.

3 Display Board Guidelines Name the Invention Brainstorm Key Words and attributes about the product to get ideas. Don t make the name to similar to other products You want your invention name to be unique and eye- catching, not too long or descriptive Be creative. Brand names that use rhyming or alliteration will grab people s attention. For example: Kit Kat, Cap n Crunch & Lite Brite. Display Board Guidelines Display boards should be tri- fold display boards that can stand alone (not hung on a wall) and can be purchased at office supply stores or made from corrugated cardboard. The display board can take up no more than two feet of table space, including the side panels. Two feet is all the room that is allotted for each invention. The display board needs to include o Name of the Invention o The Problem it Solves o Description of How the Invention Works o Pocket for the Log Book o Biography of the Inventor o Name & Grade of the Invention It is recommended that you use photographs on your display. Please make the written work very neat. You may do the written work on a computer, if you like. This is your invention s introduction to the world. Make sure it is bright, eye- catching and your best work! How it Works Written description of the invention and the building process Pocket for Log Book Name of the Invention Photos or Drawings Photos or Drawings Inventor s Name & Grade Problem it Solves Written description of the problem the invention solves Brief Biography of the Inventor Talk About it: Be prepared to describe your invention and answer any questions another student or an evaluator may have. Tell the name of your invention, how you came up with your invention idea, and what problem it solves. You are the expert!

4 Steps in the Invention Process Step 1 - Identify a Problem Look at the things that bother you and think about what you could improve. Ask others what bothers them. Select one problem to work on. Step 2 - Brainstorm Think of as many different (even unusual) ideas for improving the situation (problem) as possible. Step 3 - Plan Choose your best idea. Then, describe and sketch it. Name it. Describe its uses. Step 4 - Create Create a model of the invention. Step 5 Evaluate and Improve Will it work? Is it really original? What could or should be added or taken away? What are some possible bad things about the invention? Can you eliminate or change them? Step 6 - Share Share your invention with others. Explain how you developed the idea and how it solves a problem.

Then, describe and sketch it. Name it. Describe its uses. Step 4 - Create Create a model of the invention. Step 5 Evaluate and Improve Will it work? Is it really original?

5 Inventor s Log Invention Name Name Teacher and Grade Level

6 Statement of Originality Name of Invention: Purpose of Invention: Problem the Invention Solves: I conducted the following research to ensure that the invention did not already exist:

7 Invention Ideas List your invention ideas and include dates you wrote the ideas.

8 Invention Ideas

9 Steps Be sure to write down everything you did and the date you did each thing. Sign your name anywhere you have a date.

10 Steps

11 Materials and Expenses List all the materials you used in developing your invention. Tell how much each item costs. If you borrowed an item, write down where you got it and how. It is OK to use recycled parts.

12 Sketches

13 Thinking it Over Think about how you made your invention. What new skills did you need to learn? What changes did you make to your original plan? Who helped you and what did they do? Where did you find your materials? Which sources of information were helpful? How did you test your invention?

May 23 2016 2016 L.E.S. INVENTION CONVENTION

May 23 2016 2016 L.E.S. INVENTION CONVENTION 2016 L.E.S. Invention Convention IS YO U R S T U D E N T T H E N E X T G R E AT I N V E N T O R? Louisville Elementary 2016 Invention Convention Overview Welcome