Teaching 3rd graders about inventors

Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure:

How do inventors help solve problems? 

My lesson plan :

1. Introduce myself and the group
2. Ask the group what they think it means to solve problems by inventing
3. Show a video of an inventor solving a problem 
   1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9BOQ6IpTSE (0-1:55)
   2. Problem: lack of sufficient reading/writing system for the blind
   3. Invention: braille by 15 year-old Louis Braille 
   4. Now brail is used for traditional reading and writing, along with math and music across Europe and the US
4. Bridges activity 
   1. Split up into 4 groups
      1. Popsicle sticks 
      2. Spaghetti 
      3. Legos 
      4. Wooden dowels 
   2. 15 minutes of work time
   3. Test! (how much can your bridge with a cup of water hold when it is placed between two desks)
   4. Combine bridges & repeat test 
5. Reflect: Talk about how we all need to work together and pool our resources to best succeed 
6. Say goodbye!

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