Thinkfinity Project-Based Learning Module:

Inventor's Challenge: Make & Market Your Own Technology

What do a Barbie doll's legs have to do with advances in prosthetic limbs? What's the next big technological breakthrough that everyone will be talking about? In this project, youth discover that technology has been helping people extend their abilities long before computers or the iPod came along.

A song about the harsh conditions on the 18^th century Dakota plains sets the context for research and exploration of technology innovations that we now take for granted. Then young people take up the challenge to devise and construct their own inventions, which they market to peers as a culminating activity.

This project taps young people's natural enthusiasm for technology and creative potential as inventors. The combination of activities, from a radio segment about Barbie to a hands-on design challenge and marketing pitch, appeals to different learning styles and works in a range of afterschool settings. Most important, young people get to pursue their own interests as they build knowledge in subject areas that are critical to 21^st century success, and make the connection to future careers.

What young people will learn and do:

• brainstorm a list of technology tools that have helped people adapt to their environment
• research specific examples of how technology has enhanced human abilities
• invent and build their own technology tool
• use market research strategies to identify key questions and determine the answers for their own new product
• develop marketing materials including a slogan, a visual advertisement, and a radio ad to market to the right audience

Academic standards addressed:

• National Geography Standards, Standard 15: How physical systems affect human systems
• Benchmarks for Science Literacy, Benchmark 6A - #5: Human beings use technology to match or excel many of the abilities of other species.
• Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics, Standards 9: Role of competition, and 14: Profit and the entrepreneur

Materials needed:

• Computer with Internet access
• Paper, markers/crayons, glue, etc.
• Optional: building materials such as construction paper, cardboard, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, interlocking foam pieces, Lego bricks, etc.

Career fields highlighted:

• Engineering
• Technology design and programming
• Advertising/marketing

Get started:

The Great Plains: A Harsh Welcome to Settlers

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/15/g912/greatplains.html

Sharing the song and stories about life on the Dakota plan from this Xpeditions lesson plan, facilitators engage the group in a discussion about how people use technology to adapt to their environment.

Find out more:

Extending Human Ability through Technology

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=54

Facilitators ask program participants to research and reflect on technologies that extend human abilities, drawing on this Science NetLinks lesson plan. Depending on the availability of computers with Internet access, and on the interests of the group, young people can do some of this research offline through books, articles, interviews, etc.

Piece it together:

Extending Human Ability through Technology

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=54

Guided by this Science NetLinks lesson plan, facilitators challenge the program participants to construct a model of a technology that helps people overcome limitations. They can use whatever materials are at hand, such as basic craft supplies or Lego bricks, or they can just draw a picture of their invention.

Share what's learned:

What's Your Angle?

http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM501&page=teacher

To extend the learning experience, facilitators can ask each group of young people to contemplate the market for their invention and make a pitch to their peers, as explained in Activities One - Four of this EconEdLink lesson plan.