Engineering Excellence: Innovation for All! Presenters: Amy Carter & Sammy Maynard, Southside Elementary School

Project Overview This project was a multi- disciplinary STEM unit that was implemented in our fifth grade classrooms. The unit was designed to provide our students with the opportunity to complete a project-based learning activity.

Project Overview Students worked to design original inventions to assist individuals with disabilities or physical limitations in completing everyday tasks.

The Mind of the Inventor Students began the unit by getting an idea about the role of an inventor or engineer. Students were asked to create a Rube Goldberg Machine to find an innovative way to pop a balloon. Students worked in groups to design a device using three different simple machines.

Designing Initiative Students worked to create a machine from their designs. They used various supplies to create their Rube Goldberg Machine.

The Kids’ Invention Book In reading class, students investigated young inventors and the steps of the invention process presented in Arlene Erlbach’s, The Kids’ Invention Book.

Research To expand their knowledge of challenges for individuals with disabilities or physical limitations, students devised an online survey for the community. Survey participants were encouraged to share their personal experiences concerning these challenges.

Research Students continued their research into the topic of disabilities or limitations by listening to a presentation by occupational therapist, Mallory Ratliff. They discovered many adaptive devices used to help others.

Inventions Abound! After reviewing the research and survey results, students devised their individual invention ideas. They prepared proposals to share with their peers.

Inventions Abound! Once assigned cooperative groups, students presented their individual invention proposals to their groups. Each group voted on the invention idea they felt was best. This was the invention the group developed.

Research and Development Students used their R & D Journals to record their progress over the course of the project. Student groups created blueprints of their devices, making note of modifications made during the invention process.

Innovation Brainstorm! Students experimented with the EV3 LEGO Mindstorms robotics kits to determine what they needed to create for their inventions. Students also had the opportunity to learn basic programming using the EV3 system.

Innovation Brainstorm! Groups who did not require the use of the robotics kits for their invention prototypes were able to utilize the MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer. Students were able to use the MakerBot Print Shop app and MakerBot’s Thingiverse to download and manipulate objects that were 3D printed for use in their prototypes.

Digital Timelines: Keynote Groups documented the steps of their invention processes by taking photographs along the way. These photographs and accompanying captions were organized into a digital timeline through the use of Keynote on the iPads.

Invention Commercials: iMovie Groups wrote and produced commercials designed to introduce their inventions. Students used iMovie to edit and publish these commercials.

Southside Inventions Expo 2015 On April 9, 2015, groups presented their invention ideas to students, teachers, and invited guests. Guests acted as panelists for the Expo, asking questions about the group projects.

Southside Inventions Expo 2015 Students shared their Keynote invention timelines and prototypes. They also presented their iMovie invention commercials.