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What is Inventive Minds? |
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| Inventive Minds is a 5 week program designed to challenge children to create an invention that solves a problem, or makes life a bit easier. Mrs. Dates and I started this program 7 years ago in an effort to follow a vision we both had. It is modeled around the Invention Convention program. This is a voluntary program geared toward 3-5 grade students. Our students have designed some pretty innovative inventions over the years. There is so much in the news about "Kid" inventors these days. Perhaps we'll be reading about one of Cuyler's students in years to come! | ||||
| Intent to Invent | ||||
| Complete Student Packet |
Extra! Extra! Read All About Student Inventors |
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2006 In-School Winners' Display Boards The boards that follow belong to the students who won our Inventive Minds In-School Competition and traveled to North Rose Elementary to compete against the 20 winning inventors from that school district. To view a larger size image simply click on the thumbnail of the picture. |
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The inventions shown above tied for 1st Place at the Bi-School Competition. |
The inventions shown above tied for 2nd Place at the Bi-School Competition. |
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The inventions shown above
and left were awarded Honorable Mentions at the Bi-School Competition. |
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The inventions shown above
and right were
awarded Runners-up at the Bi-School Competition. |
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M. W. Cuyler Elementary
Inventive Minds Bi-School Competitors  |
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| Invention Web-sites | ||||
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KidzWorld Kid |
 Amazing Young Inventors, USA |
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 A Class Act-Young Inventors |
 Inventions and Inventors |
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| The Greatest Inventors and Inventions |
Invent Now National Inventors Hall of Fame |
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Totally Absurd Inventions
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World Almanac for Kids Inventions Change Our Lives |
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| Invention Dimension | ||||
| Zoom Inventors and Inventions | U.S.Patent Kids Pages | |||
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Want to get a program started? Here's how! |
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| Inventive Minds Road Show | ||||
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The first thing we do is meet with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes and present the Inventive Minds Road Show to generate interest. This is a PowerPoint presentation that gives a brief overview of what the program is all about. It contains lots of pictures of past inventors and inventions. Due to the fact that our Inventive Minds Road Show presentation contains many individual photos of students I can't provide a sample of that. I have attached a template without pictures. |
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| Wanted Poster | ||||
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The next thing we do is send home a Wanted Poster (flyer) to advertise what the commitment will be as far as dates and times, as well as what is involved for parents and students. It also includes an informational meeting date. It is at this meeting that we hand out the permission slip. The slip is due back within a few days. Since we meet with our inventors before school we also have to make up a Bus List for the Head of Transportation so inventors will be picked up on the first bus run. |
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Inventive Minds Folder |
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| The Inventive Minds folder contains a Student Packet with important dates and other information. It also contains an informational booklet about kid inventors. | ||||
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Meeting One |
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It is at the first meeting that we go over the
important information in the Student Packet. Though these dates have
been stressed in both the Wanted Poster and the Permission Slip, it is
imperative that the inventors know the dates. Should an inventor be absent
for the competitions they are ineligible to be judged. We also ask
past inventors to share their experiences. Once the packet is reviewed we
take time for questions. The children leave with the assignment to read the
Kid Inventors booklet and check this website to get an idea of what past
inventions have looked like. To view a larger size image simply click on the thumbnail of the picture. |
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Meeting Two |
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The second meeting is so much fun! At this meeting we
bring in a slew of everyday inventions that can be found around the home. We
spend time talking about what problem each invention solves. We also ask
past inventors to talk about the problem and solution of their inventions
from years past. Upon completing this part of the meeting we put the inventors into groups of 3 with a paper bag that contains an invention, an index card, and a pencil. Their task is to try to figure out what the invention is, as well as what problem it solves. They write this information on the index card and then we share what their findings are. It is very important to stress that an invention can solve a problem for one single person or a large group of people. It is also important to stress that if they can think of a way to make an existing invention more efficient than it is a possibility for their project. It is amazing to walk around and listen to the conversation of the inventors as they are involved in this exploration. When students leave this meeting it is with an assignment to bring their completed Intent to Invent form to the next meeting. This form is on the last page of their Student Packet so that it can be easily detached and handed in. By the Meeting Three they should have a firm idea of what they want to invent. To view a larger size image simply click on the thumbnail of the picture. |
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Meeting Three |
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The third meeting takes place in the computer labs.
While we are looking over the completed Intent to Invent forms the inventors
are investigating the invention websites noted above. They are supposed to
research to find out if their invention has been invented. We are checking
to be sure that the invention seems feasible, is safe for a school related
event, and has not been invented already. We are also checking to be sure
this form has been signed by the inventor and his/her parent or guardian.
This is a must. To view a larger size image simply click on the thumbnail of the picture. |
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Meeting Four |
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