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Inventions and the Scientific Process

Inventions and the Scientific Process. A Classroom Lesson from The Mathematics & Science Center. Inventions and the Scientific Process. Where do ideas come from? How do you know if an idea is good (or not)? How do scientists develop and test their ideas?. Why Learn About Inventions?.

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Inventions and the Scientific Process

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  1. Inventions andthe Scientific Process A Classroom Lesson from The Mathematics & Science Center

  2. Inventions and the Scientific Process • Where do ideas come from? • How do you know if an idea is good (or not)? • How do scientists develop and test their ideas?

  3. Why Learn About Inventions? • It’s fun! • It relates science to YOUR daily life. • They’re unique; we remember the strange and different… • … so we can tie methods of inquiry and science to the study of inventions!

  4. Some Inventors and their Inventions… • Note how each happened • Think about the characteristics of each inventor • Think how the scientific method relates to the process of invention

  5. Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790 • The “Franklin” Stove • The Glass Harmonica • Bifocal glasses • Did he “invent” electricity?

  6. Friedrich Kekule’ 1858 • Wanted to be an architect, not a chemist! • Kekule’ Structures Instead of H2O, H – O -- H

  7. Galileo 1564 - 1642 • 17 years old • Saw swinging lamp in church • The Pendulum

  8. Thomas Edison 1876 • Simply worked all the time (Genius is 1 % inspiration and 99 % perspiration) • By accident – and keen observation --invented phonograph!

  9. Albert Einstein 1905 • Used pencil, paper, & his mind – NO LABS! Knew by “feeling” • General Theory of Relativity • “Ugly” equations

  10. Elijah McCoy 1872 • Mechanical Engineer and Train “Oilman” • Invented the automatic lubricator for engines • “The Real McCoy”

  11. Alexander Graham Bell 1876 • Interested in “Visible Speech” & the deaf • Knew little about electricity – so he invented telephone • Founded the National Geographic Society

  12. Art Fry 1974 • 3M Scientist… • … & choir member • Developed the Post-it Note!

  13. Chester Carlson 1938 • Invented electrostatic photocopying method • IBM, RCA, GE, and other companies turned him down • XEROX

  14. Jack Kilby 1959 • Worked for Texas Instruments • The Integrated Circuit Photo Credit: usps.gov

  15. Cassidy Goldstein 2004 The Crayon Holder! Photo Credit: BKFK.com

  16. How do Inventions Happen? • Close observation • Sheer dumb luck – timing • Motivation -- $ ? • Search for an answer to a problem • Creative approaches and strategies • By asking, “what if?” and Brainstorming • Using “models” … followed by a period of testing or scientific analysis.

  17. Traits of Inventors • Unique – different individuals • Risk-takers – follow their instincts • Ask questions -- & pay attention to answers • Inspired – passion about subject • Task commitment – persistence Which of these traits do you have?

  18. Inventions: are PRODUCTS we create which are… • Unusual • Appropriate for a job • Transformed from something else • Condensed (refined after testing)

  19. Pathways to Inventions • First, find a PROBLEM that you want to solve. • Develop your IDEA. • Then, TEST your idea. • And finally, you will EVALUATE your results.

  20. Finding Your Problem Make a “bug list” of things that bother you… What “bugs” you? What can you improve? Messy room? Pencils that break? Heavy school backpacks? Little brothers or sisters? You can come up with an idea from your bug list!

  21. Developing Invention Ideas Use Synectics (analogies) Compare your idea to another thing, or even to yourself! • How is ______ like a ______ ? • How am I like a ______?

  22. More Ways to Develop Ideas Combine Opposites! What is exactly opposite to my idea that I could somehow combine with it? Idea Opposite

  23. And More Invention Ideas! Use the SCAMPER Method: For my idea, what can I …. • Substitute • Combine • Adapt • Modify – Magnify – “Minify” • Put to other Uses • Reverse or Rearrange … to make it WORK! Photo credit: lbl.gov

  24. Put Your Idea to THE TEST! Once you have an idea, then put your idea to the TEST to see if it works! In other words, design a test to see if your hypothesis for your invention is supported (or not)!

  25. The Process of Invention and Science • An idea (or problem) = hypothesis • Develop a “bug” list = observe/describe • Build/design = testing • “Back to the drawing board” = rethink hypothesis and try a new variable • Establish criteria to evaluate = analysis of results • Will the public buy it? = conclusion

  26. More Invention Strategies • Change your perspective • Work problems backwards • Break your own rules for past success • Develop new reading habits • Be a “risk-taker” • Combine opposites • Listen! Listen! Listen!

  27. Once begun is half-done! “If I have a thousand ideas a year, and only one turns out to be good, I’m satisfied.” Alfred Nobel

  28. Photo Credits • Most photos are from the public domain of pictures of great inventors that have been used and reprinted numerous times over the years. • Other sources include: BKFK (By Kids for Kids ) usps.gov lbl.gov

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