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Session 16: Advanced Invention 🔧

Overview

Grades: 5-6 | Duration: 45 minutes | Session: 16 of 17

Students create original inventions, applying all the skills learned throughout the year to solve real problems.

Session 16: Advanced Invention

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Apply integrated skills to original invention

  • Follow complete design process

  • Create working prototype

  • Present invention with rationale

Session 16: Advanced Invention

Materials Needed

  • 📦 Various making materials

  • 💻 Digital tools as needed

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 🏆 Invention showcase materials

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

God the Creator — We are made in the image of the Creator! Our creativity reflects His nature.

Scripture

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." — Ephesians 2:10

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you created us in your image as creative beings. Help us use all we've learned to invent something that serves others. May our work honor you. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (6 minutes)

  1. Capstone Project:
  2. "Apply EVERYTHING you've learned!"
  3. Design thinking + technology + engineering + faith
  4. Year Skills Review:
  5. Design thinking process
  6. Programming (Scratch, Sphero, App Inventor)
  7. Electronics (Little Bits, circuits)
  8. Engineering (structures, physics)
  9. Research and presentation
  10. Invention Requirements:
  11. Solve a real problem
  12. Use skills from this year
  13. Be original and creative
  14. Be prepared to present

Main Activity: Invention Lab (31 minutes)

Part 1: Problem Identification (5 minutes)

  • What problem will you solve?

  • Who will benefit?

  • Why does this matter?

  • Must be:

  • Real problem
  • Solvable with available skills/materials
  • Meaningful to someone

Part 2: Design & Prototype (22 minutes)

Full Design Thinking Cycle:

  1. EMPATHIZE (2 min):
  2. Who has this problem?

  3. What's their experience?

  4. DEFINE (2 min):

  5. "How might we..." statement

  6. Clear problem frame

  7. IDEATE (3 min):

  8. Multiple solution concepts

  9. Choose best approach

  10. PROTOTYPE (12 min):

  11. Build working model
  12. Options:
    • Physical construction
    • Programmed solution (Scratch/App)
    • Electronic circuit
    • Combination

  13. Focus on demonstrating concept

  14. TEST (3 min):

  15. Does it work?
  16. Get peer feedback
  17. Note improvements needed

Part 3: Presentation Prep (4 minutes)

  • Prepare 1-minute pitch:
  • Problem you solved
  • Your solution
  • How it works
  • Why it matters

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Invention name: ___
  2. Problem solved: ___
  3. Solution description:
  4. Sketch/diagram:
  5. Write: "I'm proud of this invention because..."

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Preview Showcase — Quick share or preview for next session
  2. Creativity Celebration — "You are inventors!"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for the gift of creativity. Bless these inventions and the people they will help. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Identified real problem

  • Applied design process

  • Created working prototype

  • Prepared presentation

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Simpler problem focus

  • Guided prototyping

  • Partner work

For Advanced Students

  • Complex multi-component invention

  • User testing included

  • Business model thinking

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Practice your presentation for family! Get feedback to improve. Research young inventors. Discuss: What problems in our community could be solved with invention?

Teacher Notes

  • This is second-to-last session

  • Inventions should be ready for exhibition

  • Encourage originality

  • Document for portfolios

Previous: Session 15 — Physics & Motion
Next: Session 17 — Year Exhibition