great inventions and how they happened chris lundberg, mathematics & science center...
TRANSCRIPT
Great Inventions andHow They Happened
Chris Lundberg, Mathematics & Science Center
Why Learn About Inventions?
It’s fun!
It relates science to student’s daily lives.
They’re unique; we remember the strange and different…
… so we can tie methods of inquiry, and creative and critical thinking strategies to the study of inventions!
Some Inventors and their Inventions…
Note how each happened
Think about the characteristics of each inventor
Think how the scientific method and experimental design relate to the process of invention
Friedrich Kekule’ 1858
Wanted to be an architect, not a chemist!
Kekule’ Structures
Instead of H2O,
H – O -- H
Galileo 1564 - 1642
17 years old
Saw swinging lamp in church
The Pendulum
Thomas Edison 1876
Simply worked all the time (Genius is 1 % inspiration and 99 % perspiration)
By accident – and keen observation --invented phonograph!
Albert Einstein 1905
Used pencil, paper, & his mind – NO LABS!
Knew by “feeling”
General Theory of Relativity
“Ugly” equations
Elijah McCoy 1872
Mechanical Engineer and Train “Oilman”
Invented the automatic lubricator for engines
“The Real McCoy”
Alexander Graham Bell 1876
Interested in “Visible Speech” & the deaf
Knew little about electricity – so he invented telephone
Founded the National Geographic Society
Art Fry 1974
3M Scientist…
… & choir member
Developed the Post-it Note!
Chester Carlson 1938
Invented electrostatic photocopying method
IBM, RCA, GE, and other companies turned him down
XEROX
Cassidy Goldstein 2004
The Crayon Holder!
Inventions:
are PRODUCTS created which are…
Unusual Appropriate for a job Transformed from something else Condensed (refined after testing)
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?” Brainstorming Using “models”
… followed by a period of testing or scientific analysis.
Traits of Inventors
Unique – different individuals
Risk-takers
Ask questions -- & pay attention to answers
Inspired – passion about subject
Follow instinct
Task commitment - persistence
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
Activities for Students
Creative and Critical Thinking Strategies
Learn about Learning Styles
Conduct Experiments
Inventions! Competitions!
Study of Famous Inventors and Inventions
Creative Thinking Strategies
Synectics Direct analogies Personal analogies Compressed conflicts
SCAMPER(Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Magnify
Minify, Put to other uses, Reverse, Rearrange)
Learning Styles & Problem-Solving
Use SensingGet the facts & pay
attention to details
Use ThinkingApply Logic and cause
and effect
Use IntuitionThink of possibilities and
options
Use FeelingTrust your feelings and
your values
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!
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
Add the study of inventions to your teaching bag of tricks!
Here is your lesson plan for inventions….