Inventions

Inventions start with ideas. Everyone has ideas. Everyone can be an inventor. Inventions can be as huge as towering skyscrapers or as small as tiny micro machines. They can become essential parts of our lives like chairs and computers or they can be more frivolous like musical toothbrushes and orange flavored lipstick.

Encouraging young people to become inventors can be both educational and entertaining. The first step is to "find a need and fill it." Look around. One nine-year-old student was concerned because his cat liked to sleep on top of the gerbil's cage in his home. The cat inevitably fell through the screen and joined the gerbil, much to the dismay of both. This fourth grader invented a pointed Plexiglas roof for the gerbil cage. He solved his problem and he became a national winner in an Invent America contest.

When thinking about inventions it is helpful to keep the guidelines for acquiring patents in mind. (1) The invention must be new. It cannot be in existence anywhere else in the world and it cannot be similar to something previously described in printed publications. (2) The invention must be useful. It must serve some real function. (3) The invention must be nonobvious. It must be truly different from similar objects. Changing the color, material, or size does not qualify the piece as an original invention.

Making a working model or creating a distinct prototype is essential. Then students need to write a complete description of the construction of the invention and its uses. Once all these steps have been completed, an Invention Convention is great fun. This can be done first in each classroom. These winners can advance to grade level competitions and then to school wide exhibits. District wide meets are also a possibility. Challenging students to create original inventions is definitely worth the time and effort involved. Most importantly, kids and adults alike should enjoy the experience!