What motivates people to discover or invent new things?
How do discoveries and inventions affect our lives?
Which inventors or discoverers in the Renaissance period have made a significant impact on the world today?
What is the difference between a discovery and an invention?
Introduction / Anticipatory Set
Start this lesson with the students coming up with their own inventions. Have them draw it and explain what problem it solves or how it makes life easier. As they put this on paper, have some of the interesting ones draw their invention on the white board. This provides an anticipatory set for the Renaissance project. Everyone can relate to the struggles of an inventor.
Include details about life of inventor / scientist
Describe one invention/ discovery and its significance at the time. How did the invention come to be? Draw conclusions as to why there was a need for this invention during the Renaissance period? Explain your reasoning based on what you know about time period.
Explain how this invention has impacted our lives today
Students create an advertisement for invention as it might have appeared in a print publication, TV or radio during the Renaissance period.
Students present their assigned Renaissance period inventions (VoiceThread/Glogs) for possible inclusion into the Invention Hall of Fame. They have to make compelling arguments why their invention deserves this recognition.
Students formulate their own personal opinions and vote on Renaissance period invention that they feel should be included in Hall of Fame. The top 3 inventions will be included. Certificates will be awarded.
As a class discussion, have each student hypothesize what would have happened without a certain inventor by “subtracting” from the classroom, describing of things we use today traced back to the Renaissance period. For example, student says, “I subtract everything woven. We would all be wearing hand-woven or hand-knit clothing if it weren’t for the Power Loom OR
Have students write a short paragraph about the connections between a modern day invention and one from the Renaissance period.
Quote
Doubt is the father of invention. ~ Galileo Galilei
The best way to predict the future is to invent it. ~ Alan Kay, an American Computer Scientist
Thomas Edison said, "To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk."
Pick one of the three quotes above. What do you think of this quote? What did the author mean? Do you think it’s correct?
Introduction / Anticipatory Set
Start this lesson with the students coming up with their own inventions. Have them draw it and explain what problem it solves or how it makes life easier. As they put this on paper, have some of the interesting ones draw their invention on the white board. This provides an anticipatory set for the Renaissance project. Everyone can relate to the struggles of an inventor.
Smithsonian Invention Central
Student Inventions From Around the WorldInventor / Scientist in the Renaissance Period
Students research an inventor or scientist (worksheet)
Quote
Pick one of the three quotes above. What do you think of this quote? What did the author mean? Do you think it’s correct?
Databases:
Websites:
GLOGSTER EDU
http://edu.glogster.com/login/
Copy URL of pictures onto Word Document
To Record Voice
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