CCS Science and Technology Fair - 2005

Objective: The Fair is a chance for you to use your imagination, scientific knowledge and common sense to devise, design and build a new piece of useful technology.

Groups: You can work alone or in pairs on a particular project.  A project done by partners should show at least twice the amount of work as one done individually.  As well, you will be expected to clearly outline who is responsible for the work done in the project.  You will be marked according to the work you are responsible for.  We will also be working as a class and in sub-groups to explore the range of things we could invent and to generate particular ideas through brainstorming sessions. 

How to pick a project:  Start by thinking about what kind of invention you would like to work on.  In broad categories we can say that inventions fall in the areas of:  techniques (procedures) and devices. 

 

In terms of subject areas we can classify them according to: medicine (health), transportation, communications, computers, energy, electronics, agriculture, chemicals.  These classifications are not complete AND each has many sub-categories.  E.g. health includes: prevention, treatment and diagnosis, and then treatment would include: surgery, drugs and radiation, etc.

 

Try to narrow your topic ideas down to the areas above and then you can use keyword searches on the internet to find some examples that will inspire you to think of an original invention.  There are some links at the end of this page to get you started.

 

What you will be doing: You, and your partner if you choose to work with one, will be complete an inventive project with the following steps:

1. Generate an original, useful and feasible (something you can reasonably expect to design and build) idea for an invention.  This step will involve some research on your part to ensure that you are not "reinventing the wheel." (Due February 3.)
2. Write a proposal that explains what your invention will do, who it is aimed at and why you think it is a positive addition to their lives. You should also choose a mentor to help you with the project and tell me who this is. This can be a teacher, family member, friend or even an online "expert." It does need to be someone (an engineer, doctor, scientist, etc.) who has knowledge in the area of your project. (Due February 10.)
3. Present a design plan for the invention.  This should include a drawing of your invention, and a materials list and a procedure for its construction. (Due February 17.)
4. Build a workable model of the invention and a written description of how it works, why you chose to invent it and how it will improve people's lives.   You may find that the model is less workable than you imagined.  This is ok, but please come to me or your mentor with any problems you encounter. (Due early March.)
5. Design and carry out a presentation for display at the Science and Invention Fair.  (Due March 29.)
6. Throughout the process you will be expected to keep a journal describing your activities and work towards the project. (Due March 29.)

How you will be assessed:  Marks will be awarded for the originality, usefulness and feasibility of your invention, and for your presentation (including an explanation of scientific principles involved in the function and design of your invention). 

	4	3	2	1
Originality	My invention is original	My invention is original in some ways.	My invention is a small modification of an existing invention.	My invention reproduces a common piece of technology.
Usefulness	It  will improve life for its users.	It will be of some useful value.	It might have some limited use.	It has little if any use.
Feasibility	I built it successfully and it works.	I was able to build it, but it still needs some modifications to work really well.	I was unable to build it but it appears to be buildable, perhaps with some difficulty.	I couldn't build it and it appears to be unbuildable.
Presentation	My presentation describes clearly the way I designed and built my invention, and why and how it will be useful.	My presentation was mostly complete and readable.	My presentation was partly readable and described some of what I did and why.	My presentation was of only little value.
Science	My device was based on higher level scientific principles which I understood and explained well.	My device was based middle level scientific principles which I understood and explained well.	My device was based on simple principles and/or I did not understand or explain them well.	I made no connection between my device and scientific principles.

Helpful links, ideas and questions

The CCS Science and Invention Fair sites for other grades

http://www.geocities.com/ccsphys/scifair.html

http://www.geocities.com/clairehamnett/sciencefair

 

Famous young inventors

http://kids.patentcafe.com/inventions/kidinventors.asp

http://www.xerox.com/go/xrx/portal/STServlet?projectID=ST_Chester_Award&pageID=Chester_Award_Landing&Xcntry=USA&Xlang=en_US (this one includes a contest for young inventors.)

http://www.bkfk.com/explore/inventing.asp (user name is waugh, and password is blamecanada)

 

Link to sites about other famous inventors

http://www.bkfk.com/inventions/

 

The process of invention

http://www.bkfk.com/ (user name is waugh, and password is blamecanada)

 

How some familiar devices work

http://www.howstuffworks.com

 

Online experts to ask for help

http://www.bkfk.com/explore/askexpert.asp (user name is waugh, and password is blamecanada)

 

Ideas for inventions organized by category

http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/1_4_0_channels.asp

 

Invention categories according to MIT:

Aerospace

Agriculture/Livestock

Animal Care/Pets

Apparel/Accessories

Arts/Crafts/Graphics

Automotive

Biological/Microbiological

Electrical/Lighting

Electronics

Energy Generation/Utilization

Environmental Control

Food/Beverage

Hardware/Tools

Health/Beauty

Household

Industrial/Commercial

Infant/Children

Kitchen/Bath

Lawn/Garden

Manufacturing Technology

Marine/Ocean Technology

Medical/Therapeutic

Mineral Recovery/Processing

Novelty

Office Supplies/Stationary

Restaurant/Hospitality

Safety/Security

Sports/Fitness/Recreation

Toys/Games/Hobbies

Telecommunications

Transportation

 

Some questions to ask while you are considering invention ideas

Does my invention improve the life of people by: improving their health, making their lives easier or more fulfilling, while NOT harming other people, cultures or the environment?

Is my invention able to be built at a reasonable cost?

What scientific principles allow my invention to work? What processes and science are behind the building of my invention?

 

Some questions to do for today

1. Name a famous young inventor and describe their invention.  How did it improve the quality of life for people?  Which of the MIT categories does it fall under?
2. What are the steps taken in making an invention and then making it available to people?
3. What are some categories for inventions that interest you?