How can we inspire students to believe in themselves and to pursue their dreams? Today's post is all about teaching inventors and inventions.

We can get our kids motivated to create new things or to learn about cool inventions with these unit studies and resources all about inventors.

Every year, my students create their own inventions for the Invention Convention. We also study inventions and inventors at this time. These poster layouts are a great way to display information about different inventions and inventors. You can choose the inventions and inventors, but I just let ...

With over 150 titles, the Who Was? series tells the incredible stories of trailblazers, legends, innovators, and creators. Enhance your history studies with these easy readers that are written in a way that children will enjoy them...and actually WANT to read them!

Learn more about Alfred L. Calle and other Black inventors, and discuss ways to celebrate National Inventors' Day with your child.

Still trying to get caught up on sharing what my kids have been learning about this year! A few months ago (How is it already April???) we ...

The Grand Architects are a couple from the Misfits collection that celebrates individuals who defy societal norms and embrace their unique paths. Set against the simple, historical streets of England, each piece portrays these misunderstood visionaries—artists, inventors, and creators—who, despite being shunned by conventional society, drive innovation and cultural progress. Details in collection page. Made to order - Free Delivery UK Only About the prints Printed on acid-free, archival cotton Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Giclée paper. Image size is printed as listed. Border is added. All prints are hand signed. Limited editions are hand numbered. Guaranteed archival life of 100+ years.  Carbon neutral, sustainable production, packaging and shipping. Global delivery with tracked & insured shipping. Shipping starts 2-3 weeks after the sale window closes  Framing options provided post purchase for 1/10.  View our Product Page for details.

This past week we started wrapping up our study on Inventors & Inventions in Science/Social Studies. I guess I underestimated the interest my kids would have in the subject because they were SO into it!! We started by learning about a few very important inventors…Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and The Wright Brothers. We made …

The future is now. Acclaimed technologist and inventor Amir Husain explains how we can live amidst the coming age of sentient machines and artificial intelligence—and not only survive, but thrive.Artificial "machine" intelligence is playing an ever-greater role in our society. We are already using cruise control in our cars, automatic checkout at the drugstore, and are unable to live without our smartphones. The discussion around AI is polarized; people think either machines will solve all problems for everyone, or they will lead us down a dark, dystopian path into total human irrelevance. Regardless of what you believe, the idea that we might bring forth intelligent creation can be intrinsically frightening. But what if our greatest role as humans so far is that of creators? Amir Husain, a brilliant inventor and computer scientist, argues that we are on the cusp of writing our next, and greatest, creation myth. It is the dawn of a new form of intellectual diversity, one that we need to embrace in order to advance the state of the art in many critical fields, including security, resource management, finance, and energy. "In The Sentient Machine, Husain prepares us for a brighter future; not with hyperbole about right and wrong, but with serious arguments about risk and potential" (Dr. Greg Hyslop, Chief Technology Officer, The Boeing Company). He addresses broad existential questions surrounding the coming of AI: Why are we valuable? What can we create in this world? How are we intelligent? What constitutes progress for us? And how might we fail to progress? Husain boils down complex computer science and AI concepts into clear, plainspoken language and draws from a wide variety of cultural and historical references to illustrate his points. Ultimately, Husain challenges many of our societal norms and upends assumptions we hold about "the good life.".

New Horizon Academy Kids Cuisine, Kids STEAM, Social and Emotional Development: Our resources provide a wealth of information and inspiration for you and your entire family.

I love books that invite readers to reconsider the world around them. Just last week I finally had a chance to read the brand new book In Mary's Garden about Milwaukee, Wisconsin resident and artist Mary Nohl. The theme of this book, of seeing the possibilities in everyday life, immediately made me start making connections to other favorite books around this theme. Here are a few of my favorite books for inspiring kids, inventors, and artists. In Mary's Garden (2015) by Tina and Carson Kűgler. This biography of artist Mary Nohl revolves around her interest in unusual topics and her ability to see the possibilities. For Mary, driftwood and a feather were not items to glance at and walk on but were a "marvelous creature" waiting to be discovered and assembled. Her collections of found objects became incredible sculptures and works of art, and I love how the author's note includes photographs of Mary and her art. I think this picture book is a powerful one for showing kids the possibilities for art in everyday objects and even "junk." The Iridescence of Birds a book about Henri Matisse (2014) by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Hadley Hooper. This biography about Henri Matisse focuses on the influences and environment of his life as a child. I really liked the emphasis within the text about how these influences shaped and inspired Matisse and his art. I think this book would be a great resource for art teachers to introduce Matisse to their students and to encourage kids to think about their own lives and how to turn them into art. Roxaboxen (2004) by Alice McLerran and illustrated by Barbara Cooney . Roxaboxen tells the true story of an imaginary town created by the author's aunt and neighbors. Kids can immediately relate to this imaginative play, and the illustrations bring this invented place to life. I read this book to my students every year as part of our end-of-the-year memoir unit, and every year it inspires them to start building and creating. I love how something so small - broken glass, some black stones - can become an entire world. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2012) by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer with illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon. This picture book tells the true story of William Kamkwamba who at age 14 saw the possibilities in junkyard scraps and the knowledge found in his library in Malawi. He eventually taught himself enough engineering skills to creata functioning windmill that brought electricity and pump-irrigation to help his village. On the fictional side of things, there are many great stories that continue this theme of seeing and believing in the possibilities of everyday life. The Most Magnificent Thing (2014) by Ashley Spires. This fabulous new picture book by Ashley Spires, the author of the Binky the Space Cat graphic novels, chronicles the trials and tribulations of the nameless main character as she attempts to build the most magnificent thing. I love the combination of styles in the illustrations. I shared this book with my students earlier in the year, and it touched off a great classroom conversation about perseverance, creativity, frustration, and perfectionism. Papa's Mechanical Fish (2013) by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Boris Kulikov. This fictionalized tale is based on the true story of inventor Lodner Phillips and his efforts to create a functional submarine in the 1850s. It is quite a whimsical take on the story but interesting at least from the perspective of getting kids to think about the barriers to invention and creation and how to overcome them when faced with difficulties. (H/T Christie at Write Wild.) What are your favorite books for encouraging children to see and embrace the possibilities in their lives?

In 1942, Hedy Keiser Markey and George Antheil were awarded a patent for a Secret Communication System. This system was designed so that enemy ships would be unable to detect incoming torpedoes by scanning radio frequencies. This invention, which was inspired by Antheil's musical talent, was later recognized for being part of the foundation of modern communication technologies such as WiFi and Bluetooth. The two inventors met in Hollywood where Markey worked as an actress and producer and Antheil as a composer. Both were inducted into the national inventors hall of fame in 2014 in recognition of their work. Bring a piece of history into your home or gift it to a loved one with this captivating patent print, showcasing the ingenuity of its creators and the era in which they thrived. Unframed patent print available in three different colors and two different parchment paper weights: Ivory - 65lb Parchment Gold - 65lb Parchment Copper - 24lb Parchment Size: 8.5 by 11 inches

The public sphere is no longer a place where Americans can solve problems, and neither are open format workplaces or classrooms. Is it any surprise that we're worried about our rate of creativity?

Let's take a look at famous inventors to find out WHY they invent. What drives a thinker to tinker? Is it something we can teach kids to do?

Learn about famous female scientist inventors and their inventions with this free printable reader to color and learn with kids of all ages.

I'm sure you already know what STEM stands for but in case you need a refresher course, here it is.STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This method develops deep thinkers, problem solvers, inventors, creators, and doers who LOVE a challenge and continually want to learn more.S...

Thread Leaders are from the Misfits collection by Jai Sol that celebrates individuals who defy societal norms and embrace their unique paths. Set against the simple, historical streets of England, each piece portrays these misunderstood visionaries—artists, inventors, and creators—who, despite being shunned by conventional society, drive innovation and cultural progress. Accompanied by narratives in the form of diaries, the collection highlights the personal journeys and hidden contributions of these trailblazers. Details on collection page.   Made to order - Free Delivery UK Only About the prints Printed on acid-free, archival cotton Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Giclée paper. Image size is printed as listed. Border is added. All prints are hand signed. Limited editions are hand numbered. Guaranteed archival life of 100+ years.  Carbon neutral, sustainable production, packaging and shipping. Global delivery with tracked & insured shipping. Shipping starts 2-3 weeks after the sale window closes  Framing options provided post purchase for 1/10.  View our Product Page for details.

Dive into the history of female inventors with these fun and free inventor coloring pages to learn about women scientists with elementary age kids!

GET READY TO INSPIRE the next generation of big thinkers and innovators HAVE FUN MATCHING 25 ingenious women to their change-making inventions FOR AGES 6+ so the whole family can play together and learn how women have changed the world This exciting card game lets children discover the women from history behind objects we use every day - from GPS to Jenga - as well as the pioneers who changed lives through science and technology, the modern inventors revolutionising the way we do things today, and even the 20th-century chef who came up with the chocolate-chip cookie. With a booklet that details all the fascinating stories behind the inventions and their creators' lives, this family game will get you talking about women who changed the world as you play time and time again.

Where would we be today without some of the most famous inventors in history? We owe board games, the way we plant crops, automobiles, medicinal

Kids minds are so wonderful! They want to learn so many things and are constantly asking questions. If you are a parent, you have heard a million "Why?" questions I am sure! Sometimes answering all

Hello Everyone! It is so nice to have time to put some finishing touches on a couple of units that we have coming up! Another historical figure we will study after Eleanor Roosevelt is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a nation we celebrate his life daily! Thank you Dr. King! Officially we celebrate on the third Monday of January. I have posted about our activities before, but I went through and cleaned up, and added to my unit. Here are some pics from the updated unit! If you would like the 30 page free printable unit CLICK HERE!! :) My second offering for today is a unit our curriculum team worked on this summer. We had fun integrating reading and social studies and are finding it a natural way to teach and get everything in. This next unit is about other important historical figures. It includes posters about Alexander Graham Bell, Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison, Garrett Morgan, and Richard Allen along with reading strategy practice activities. It also includes an invention home project packet for kids. The unit ended up to be over 50 pages! I am excited to include this unit in our curriculum in a few weeks!! Here are a few pics from the unit! For your free 52 page Inventors Unit CLICK HERE!! :) So glad I had time to share these endeavors! Hope you can use at least parts of either one! It is my joy to be able to share and help your journey in the classroom or homefront become a little less stressful. As always, please let me know if this is something you can use, if there are any typos or problems, and if you would like to see something else in particular on this little blog. I hear from teachers and parents from all over the world, and I am so grateful for all of you!! Joyfully! Nancy

Something happens in students when they define themselves as makers and inventors and creators. They discover powerful skills-problem-solving, critical thinking, and imagination-that will help them shape the world's future ... our future. If that's true, why isn't creativity a priority in more schools today? Educators John Spencer and A.J. Juliani know firsthand the challenges teachers face every day: School can be busy. Materials can be scarce. The creative process can seem confusing. Curriculum requirements can feel limiting. Those challenges too often bully creativity, pushing it to the side as an \"enrichment activity\" that gets put off or squeezed into the tiniest time block. We can do better. We must do better if we're going to prepare students for their future. LAUNCH: Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student provides a process that can be incorporated into every class at every grade level ... even if you don't consider yourself a \"creative teacher.\" And if you dare to innovate and view creativity as an essential skill, you will empower your students to change the world-starting right now. Look, Listen, and Learn Ask Lots of Questions Understand the Problem or Process Navigate Ideas Create Highlight What's Working and Failing Are you ready to LAUNCH?

Challenge your 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade early finishers to No Prep, meaningful, creative choices that reinforce reading and writing skills while stimulating the important skills of critical thinking and problem solving. These No Prep brain stretching activities are perfect for early finishers, small groups, gifted and talented or classroom enrichment. Children are natural inventors and creators. These challenges provide creative and inventive problems with open-ended solutions while encouraging divergent thinking, imagination and self expression. Students can complete problems at their own pace or they can be used to create Enrichment Lessons in your classroom for all students. Skill Reinforcement Creativity: Fluency, Flexibility, Elaboration, and Originality Higher Level Thinking Skills:  Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation ELA: Reading, Creative Writing, Vocabulary 21st Century Learning Skills:  Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration What is included? 12 Creative Problem Solving Activities 16 Brainstorming Challenges from Choice Card Menu Brainstorming Worksheet For more ideas to stimulate problem solving and creative thinking visit my store. www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/gifted-and-curious-loren-ackerman

Where business and design collide

The Steiff Company was founded in Germany in the year 1880. Steiff began creating the first hand made bears in the early 1900’s. The original stuffed bear was designed by Richard Steiff in …

The best video summary tools in 2025 are efficient and user-friendly, providing concise summaries of videos. In today's fast-paced digital world, where

Enjoy these FREE Printables, Unit Studies, and Hands-On Activities about the life and work of famous inventor Alexander Graham Bell.

Wally Conron, inventor of the Labradoodle, regrets what his invention has become. Many other creators feel the same about their ideas.

An invention is a new thing that someone has made. The computer was an invention when it was first made. We say when it was “invented”. New things that are made or created are called inventions. Click for more kids facts and information or download the worksheet collection.

Here are a few lesser known facts about the famous inventor and artist, Leonardo da Vinci.

Miss Matches are two sisters from the Misfits collection by Jai Sol that celebrates individuals who defy societal norms and embrace their unique paths. Set against the simple, historical streets of England, each piece portrays these misunderstood visionaries—artists, inventors, and creators—who, despite being shunned by conventional society, drive innovation and cultural progress. Details in collection page. Made to order - Free Delivery UK Only About the prints Printed on acid-free, archival cotton Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Giclée paper. Image size is printed as listed. Border is added. All prints are hand signed. Limited editions are hand numbered. Guaranteed archival life of 100+ years.  Carbon neutral, sustainable production, packaging and shipping. Global delivery with tracked & insured shipping. Shipping starts 2-3 weeks after the sale window closes  Framing options provided post purchase for 1/10.  View our Product Page for details.