Session 16: Innovation Lab 💡¶

Overview¶

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

Students create original inventions, applying all skills learned throughout Year B to solve real-world problems.

Session 16: Innovation Lab¶

Learning Objectives¶

By the end of this session, students will:

Apply integrated skills to original invention
Follow complete design thinking process
Create working prototype
Present invention with rationale

Session 16: Innovation Lab¶

Materials Needed¶

📦 Various making materials
💻 Digital tools as needed
📓 Engineering journals
🏆 Invention showcase materials

Catholic Integration¶

Saint Connection¶

Innovation for Good — Every saint innovated in their own way—new ways to serve, teach, or help! Our inventions should serve the common good.

Scripture¶

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." — Colossians 3:23

Opening Prayer¶

Dear God, you gave us creative minds to invent and innovate. Help us use all we've learned to create something that truly helps others. May our work honor you. Amen.

Lesson Procedure¶

Opening Circle (6 minutes)¶

Capstone Challenge:
"Apply EVERYTHING from Year B!"
Design thinking + sensors + architecture + forensic thinking + games + gratitude + apps + space + mercy + ecosystems + energy
Year B Skills Review:
Design thinking (deep empathy)
Sensor-based robotics
Architecture and structures
Scientific investigation
Game design
App development
Systems thinking
Invention Requirements:
Solve a REAL problem
Use Year B skills
Be original and creative
Be able to present

Main Activity: Innovation Lab (31 minutes)¶

Part 1: Problem Discovery (5 minutes)

Find a Problem Worth Solving:

Observe: What frustrates people around you?
Listen: What do people complain about?
Research: What needs exist?

Good Problems:

Affect real people
Haven't been perfectly solved
Match your skills/resources
You care about solving

Choose Your Focus:

Write problem statement
Who is affected?
Why does it matter?

Part 2: Invention Development (22 minutes)

Full Design Thinking Cycle:

1. EMPATHIZE (3 min):

Deep understanding of people with this problem
What's their experience?
What have they tried?
What would help most?

2. DEFINE (2 min):

Clear problem statement
"How might we [solve problem] for [users]?"

3. IDEATE (4 min):

Generate many solutions
Wild ideas welcome!
Build on possibilities
Select promising approach

4. PROTOTYPE (10 min):

Build your invention!
Options:
Physical prototype
App/digital solution
Combined approach
System/service design
Focus on demonstrating the concept

5. TEST (3 min):

Does it work?
Get quick feedback
Note improvements

Part 3: Pitch Preparation (4 minutes)

Prepare 2-minute pitch:
Problem you're solving
Who benefits
Your solution
How it works
Why it matters

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)¶

Invention name: ___
Problem solved: ___
User group: ___
Solution sketch and description:
Write: "I'm proud of this because..."

Closing Circle (3 minutes)¶

Preview — Quick invention previews
Celebration — "You are all inventors!"
Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for creativity and the ability to solve problems. Bless these inventions and the people they will serve. 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-part invention
User testing incorporated
Implementation planning

Wonder at Home 🏠¶

Family Activity: Practice your pitch for family! Get feedback to improve. Research young inventors and their stories. Discuss: What problems in our world need solving? How could you contribute?

Teacher Notes¶

Second-to-last session
Inventions ready for exhibition
Encourage originality
Document for portfolios
Consider competition or showcase

Previous: Session 15 — Energy Science
Next: Session 17 — Celebration