The world round us is stuffed with gadgets that began in another person’s creativeness. From mild bulbs and airplanes to peanut butter and shampoo, inventors have used new concepts to make the world a greater place. Need to encourage college students to be modern? Introduce them to famous inventors everyone should know, after which encourage them to strive certainly one of these unbelievable invention concepts for youths—or provide you with certainly one of their very own!
Tip: Assist youngsters study in regards to the design process. Then strive some easy invention challenges with this information from Oregon State College: Invent It, Build It.
Plus, click on the button beneath to get a free printable worksheet that helps your college students design their very own innovations.
Get Impressed With Actual-Life Innovations by Children
Children would possibly consider they’re too younger to invent something significant. Show them incorrect by sharing these inspiring tales of real-life youngsters who made one thing new that the world actually wanted. Then, use these improvements as a springboard to brainstorm extra invention concepts for youths to strive.
Popsicles
One of many world’s hottest frozen treats was initially invented by an 11-year-old! Learn more about Frank Epperson’s story from NPR.
Invention Thought: Invent a brand new and scrumptious moveable meals merchandise, ideally one which’s wholesome too.
Braille
Braille is a system of raised dots that permit those that are visually impaired to learn with their fingers. This groundbreaking system was the brainchild of an adolescent! Discover the story of Louis Braille at Forbes.
Invention Thought: Create a brand new approach to assist these with bodily challenges talk higher with others.
Pediatric IV Backpack
When Kylie Simonds was receiving her most cancers therapy, she discovered the big IV she needed to lug round only one extra frustration. To unravel the issue, she invented an IV backpack to make the expertise higher for future youngsters. Read about Kylie’s inspiring story at ABC News.
Invention Thought: Design an modern product to make issues simpler for youths present process any kind of medical therapy.
Alzheimer Alert System
When Kenneth Shinozuka was 15, he wished to discover a approach to hold his grandfather protected in case he wandered off and received misplaced. His invention, a pressure-activated messaging sock, received him worldwide acclaim. Find out more about Kenneth’s story at WebMD.
Invention Thought: Devise a brand new approach to hold folks protected in harmful conditions.
Sizzling Seat
After studying yet one more story a couple of baby who died in a sizzling automobile after being forgotten by caregivers, 14-year-old Alissa Chavez determined to do one thing about it. Her invention, Sizzling Seat, notifies dad and mom in the event that they stroll away from their baby in a automobile seat. Here’s more about Alissa and her invention from Raising Smart Girls.
Invention Thought: Devise a product to make the lives of fogeys and youngsters simpler or safer.
Encourage College students To Enter Invention Contests for Children
Suppose you’ve provide you with one thing actually modern? In search of a enjoyable classroom exercise to problem and encourage future inventors? Enter these invention contests for an opportunity to see youngsters’ improvements produced on a wider scale, and even win money and prizes!
Children Invent Stuff
The brains behind this well-liked YouTube channel love creating the concepts of child inventors! They settle for submissions via their web site, then select their favourite improvements to construct and have in new movies on their channel.
Previous winners: Periscope hat, drill-powered footwear, finger forks
Study extra: Kids Invent Stuff
Thomas Edison Pitch Contest
College students in grades 4 via 12 create and pitch invention concepts in quite a lot of classes. They’ve the possibility to win prizes starting from T-shirts and present playing cards to a 3D printer to your college. They’ll even ship you a maker package stuffed with beneficial provides that can assist you get began!
Previous winners: Sensible recycling bin, straightforward parking app, water-runoff turbine
Study extra: Thomas Edison Pitch Contest
Younger Inventor Problem
Join with professionals within the toy and recreation trade whenever you develop and pitch a brand new invention for this contest. Winners could earn the possibility to have their design constructed and offered by one of many sponsoring firms. The competition is open to youngsters ages 6 via 18 and requires a pitch video and prototype.
Previous winners: Goo Shoe, Draw Into Crime, Ship of Treasure
Study extra: Young Inventor Challenge
Invention Conference
Lecturers can use the Invention Conference curriculum of their lecture rooms, serving to college students develop initiatives to enter into native, regional, and nationwide competitions. It’s open to youngsters in grades Ok-12, with winners eligible for all kinds of prizes.
Previous winners: Wrap-N-Go Pencil Holder, Sensible Mailbox, Manure Mower
Study extra: Invention Convention
ExploraVision
This STEM competitors asks entrants to choose a know-how they wish to enhance, then analysis and submit a mission detailing their proposed concepts. The competition has completely different necessities and classes for numerous ages, so this one is nice for Ok-12 college students.
Previous winners: synthetic photosynthesis system, magnetic propulsion rocket launcher, mosquito entice
Study extra: ExploraVision
Attempt These STEM Problem Invention Concepts for Children
STEM challenges are at all times classroom favorites, however lots of them current actual alternatives for youths to provide you with a intelligent new invention. Begin with these STEM problem invention concepts, then take a look at our STEM topic pages for even more activities. Additionally encourage college students with these 15 Awesome Invention Videos for Kids
Make a Rube Goldberg machine
These foolish machines use a collection of extraordinary steps to perform a single easy job. College students use them to study chain reactions, however they will additionally encourage creativity in relation to fixing issues. Set a fundamental job, like ringing a bell, and problem youngsters to provide you with the wackiest attainable methods to make it occur!
Study extra: Rube Goldberg Machine at TinkerLab
Design a smartphone projector
This can be a well-liked classroom STEM mission that makes use of a shoebox and magnifying lenses. As soon as youngsters have the fundamental idea down, encourage them to provide you with a extra superior model with extra options like zoom, distant management, and so forth.
Study extra: Smartphone Projector at TechBuilder
Create a super dwelling area
The Fibonacci sequence seems steadily in nature—as an example in sunflowers, pine cones, seashells, ferns, roses, pineapples, and extra. Problem your college students to take inspiration on this pure design phenomenon as they design a super private dwelling area utilizing fundamental supplies like cardboard, paper, tape, and glue. Urge them to study extra about completely different sorts of dwelling areas world wide, and to consider what would make a room, home, or different area extra snug or eco-friendly.
Study extra: Fibonacci Design at Nationwide Inventors Corridor of Fame
Craft and indoor composter
Composting retains meals out of landfills and creates higher soil for rising crops. However not everybody has room of their yard for a compost heap. Ask college students to design an indoor composter as a substitute, one that each household can hold of their kitchen.
Study extra: Indoor Composter at Full-Time Child
Construct one thing that flies
Study in regards to the 4 forces concerned within the science of flight, and problem your college students to create a flying object utilizing peculiar classroom supplies.
Study extra: Build Something That Flies at Nanogirl
Assemble a water filter
Many individuals on the earth lack quick access to wash consuming water. Problem college students to provide you with a intelligent water filter, one which’s cheap, efficient, and simple to make use of.
Study extra: Water Filtration Challenge at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Carry out a microplastics intervention
Microplastics, tiny bits of plastic lower than 5 mm lengthy, could be dangerous to animal life (together with people), particularly once they get into the water provide. Take the Microfiber Innovation Problem, and devise a brand new approach to stop microplastics from inflicting hurt to our planet.
Study extra: Microfiber Innovation Challenge at microfiberinnovation.org
Brainstorm options for an oil spill cleanup
An oil spill could cause large environmental injury, each within the ocean and on land. Innovate new, extra environment friendly methods to wash up after an unintentional spill, serving to return Earth and its creatures to good well being.
Study extra: Oil Spill Challenge at Vivify STEM Schooling
Take the Egg Drop Problem
This can be a basic college STEM problem, nevertheless it actually does have broader functions. Along with designing a container to guard an egg from a fall, encourage youngsters to take the following step by arising with invention concepts that suggest a real-life goal for his or her container.
Study extra: Best Egg Drop Challenges
Assemble a mechanical hand
Use easy supplies to create a mechanical hand on this kid-favorite STEM problem. Or take this invention concept a step additional and problem youngsters to create a mechanical hand or different synthetic limb that would profit those that’ve misplaced their very own.
Study extra: Build a Robot Hand at Science Buddies
Construct one thing that floats
Buoyancy is the property that helps objects float. Issues that float effectively often have a number of air as a part of their construction. Utilizing peculiar supplies, problem your college students to create one thing distinctive that’s able to floating.
Study extra: Build Something That Floats at Nanogirl
Create one thing from nothing
The foundations for this invention are … there aren’t any guidelines! It’s the final word freestyle problem. Present quite a lot of basic provides, however permit youngsters to make use of different gadgets from across the classroom or home as effectively. In the event that they’re having bother getting began, ask them to finish this phrase: “I want I had a _____ that would ______.”
Study extra: Something From Nothing STEM Activity at Nationwide Inventors Corridor of Fame
“Construct a Higher …” Invention Concepts for Children
Many inventors received their begin by making an attempt to enhance on one thing that already existed. Problem youngsters to provide you with invention concepts that construct higher, simpler variations of a few of these current merchandise:
- Mousetrap
- Transportable shelter (e.g., a tent)
- Squirrel-proof chook feeder
- Pet care product (e.g., mattress, leash, meals/water dish)
- Pet toy
- Automated toothpaste dispenser
- Alarm clock
- Backpack
- Flashlight
- Beverage container
- Backyard software
- Board recreation
- Academic toy
- Faculty desk and/or chair
- Smartphone app for youths
- Toy field/storage
- Transportation mode for youths
- Multi-purpose hat
- Buying cart
- Slip-proof socks
- Silent footwear
- Cereal-pouring machine
- Glove-drying machine
- Clothes or shoe organizer
Get my free worksheet!
When you beloved these invention concepts, try our free-to-save worksheet to finish at dwelling within the classroom. The worksheet prompts you to work via the main points of making your invention.
Love these invention concepts and challenges? Take a look at STEM Activities for Kids of All Ages and Interests.
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