Teachers   |   Sabine   |   Search   |   Reference   |   Library   |   Instruction   |   Virtual School

 

Hot List For Teachers

05/02/2005

Maps, Photos, Graphics, Timelines, and Data

INVENTIONS

  • 3M Invention Unit - A wonderful step-by-step unit helping students plan, develop and market their own original inventions with a very practical approach as they move from scout to wizard to critic and trail blazer.

  • Build a Bridge - Sponsored by NOVAonline, this site requires participants to study bridge structures and determine the strengths and weaknesses of each before playing an interactive game.

  • Games machines Play - >From PBS' Scientific American frontiers, includes .pdf and html teacher guides on Building a Better Mousetrap, a Car Streamlined Design and a Rube Goldberg Project. Very detailed and ready to use.

  • Invention Playhouse - The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation offers this virtual play lab where students can explore the connections between play and invention.

  • Iz and Auggie and the Invention Snatchers - In this online simulation students will learn the fundamentals of Internet research and discover challenging ideas about inventors and how inventions come to be.

  • Kids Invent - Dr. Ed leads students through the process of planning, designing, building, testing and even marketing their original ideas. Separate support links for teachers and parents.

  • MITs Invention Dimension - This is an offbeat approach to making inventing exciting for kids through games, inventor and invention resources, inventor profiles and patent guidelines. Top quality materials!

  • National Geographic Inventions - National Geographic World presents this online group of "invention games" which earn you tokens; once you have five tokens you can work the Action Contraption and win a prize!

  • The New Way Things Work - Based on the classic Macaulay book, this site does an excellent job of explaining the scientific principles behind different machines and even includes a new section on digital electronics. See also How Stuff Works

  • Ronald J. Riley's Internet Pages - Recognized by MIT's Invention Dimension, this scientist offers a unique perspective on becoming an inventor for kids - there's even a special section encouraging girls in the sciences.

  • U.S. Patent Office Kid's Pages - A great site designed to inspire kids to use their imagination and invent. Lots of materials here with regards to intellectual property matters and patents too.

  • The Wonka Factory - Yes, the gratuitous references to the candies are here, but check out this room: Knid Knockers, Oompas Rush and the Nerds Ropes game! Invention trivia too.

  •