TECHNOLOGY TEASER SET

Technology Teasers

INTRODUCTION

Technology Teasers contains a collection of 20 challenges relevant to the technology of mechanisms, electronics, and control. The challenges are mostly suitable for students who have had some experience with technology tools and processes for example cogs, pulleys, electrical circuits and so on. Each challenge poses a problem which needs to be solved through using technological principles and systems. There are two pages for each challenge - one for teachers and one for students.

While all design solutions should ideally be reached via authentic "real-life" contexts, this is not always practical or possible. Sometimes it is useful to teach particular technical skills and approaches to problems solving through discrete pre-planned problems which can be used as a springboard into seeking technological solutions for more authentic problems. This is the aim of the challenges in this book - to help students develop some aspects of their "technological literacy" which they can them apply to problems which they come with up for themselves.

The challenges Technology Teasers offer no solutions directly to students, (except in Cheap Cheep, which is a follow the instructions activity). However, a possible solution is included in accompanying teachers' notes. This means teachers can choose to direct students to particular solutions if they want to keep the activities brief and contained. Although only one solution is offered, there are many others equally or better suited to the problem and students should be encouraged to try a range of ideas.

Teachers should take the opportunity to setup class visits to places where problem solving, designing and processing work is done. If this is not possible, invite speakers to technology classes to discuss the work they do. It is important for students to see that problem solving is something that occurs everyday in the wider world. Making links with the social or environment implications of technological solutions is also important.

Whilst use of the design process is not stated in the challenges, it is assumed that students will be familiar with the process and will follow it. The challenges are suitable for students to work with individually, in pairs or small groups.

I hope that teaching with these challenges gives you as much enjoyment as I\'ve had!

Exciting Inventions

What toy was invented by a baker who liked to throw around empty pie tins? (frisbee) What tasty treat was invented by an eleven-year-old boy who left his soda pop and water concoction on the back porch one winter? (popsicle) Exciting inventions is the topic for this thematic unit which is sure to motivate and maximize student learning. Part I -Core Teaching Lessons is a compilation of lessons presented in a structured, direct instruction format. Each core lesson has related student activities to demonstrate knowledge of the topic and to address key questions that will later be revisited by students (individuaIly) in the major project. Part II Student Handbook consists of activities and reproducible work sheets that go with the core lessons. Part III -Optional Lessons builds flexibility into the unit with a range of activities that can be used to enrich the unit. In Part IV -Major Project students demonstrate how much they have learned in this unit by creating and displaying original inventions at an Invention Convention. Structured yet fun!

PART I - CORE TEACHING LESSONS

In this section, five lessons are outlined in detail - providing a structured setting for learning about inventions. They each focus on key questions about the topic. The questions will be revisited later for the major project, when students will answer them individually instead of as a class. Each lesson includes detailed teacher instructions followed by a student assignment(s) relating to the key questions.

1. Introduction: WHAT is an invention? WHAT is in a name? - Invention Identification/Crossword Puzzle
2. WHO can invent? WHO benefits from inventions? - Philo Farnsworth Bio
3. WHO are past inventors? - Inventor Bingo
4. WHY are inventions necessary? - Worksheet
5. WHY do inventions succeed or fail? - Advertising Techniques
6. WHEN have inventions been created? - Invention Survivor
7. WHEN is the right time for an invention? - When Were TheThey
8. HOW are inventions made? - Invented? Invent An Invention
9. WHERE do materials come from for an invention? - Wordsmith

PART II - STUDENT HANDBOOK

This section contains information/worksheet pages and activities relating to the Core Lessons in Part I. It may be copied in booklet form for each student to use during the lessons.

PART III - OPTIONAL LESSONS

1. Invention Alphabet Game
2. Invention Center
3. Bulletin Board
4. Invention Wordsearch
5. Patent Lesson
6. Invention Club
7. Guest Speaker
8. Guess the Invention/Name that Invention Game
9. Persuasive Writing and/or Public Speaking Invention
10. Contests
11. Inventions from the Kitchen
12. Internet Sites
13. Class Invention Book

PART IV: MAJOR PROJECT - INVENTION CONVENTION

This section of the unit is designed to be a culmination project. Students will demonstrate what they have learned from the unit by individually creating their own inventions. In so doing, they will revisit the key questions from Part I - Core Teaching Lessons and answer them relative to their own inventions. Ultimately, their inventions (along with advertisements) will be displayed at an Invention Convention. Detailed instructions and a grading scale are provided.