Inventors Solve Problems: From Idea to Thing
Long ago, people got wet every time it rained. Then someone had an idea: what if you held a little roof over your head? That is how the umbrella was invented! An inventor is a person who makes something brand new to solve a problem. Crayons, bicycles, and even the zipper on your coat were all invented by someone who wanted to make life better.
What You'll Learn
In this lesson you will: - Learn what an inventor does. - Follow the steps from an idea to a real invention. - Find out what a patent is.
What Is an Inventor?
An inventor sees a problem and thinks, 'I can fix that!' Are your hands cold? Someone invented mittens. Is your pencil worn down? Someone invented the pencil sharpener. Do you want to hear a friend far away? Someone invented the telephone. Inventors use their imagination to build things nobody has ever seen before.
Anyone can invent, even kids. In 1905, an 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson left a drink with a stir stick outside on a cold night. In the morning it was frozen, and he had invented the popsicle!
From Idea to Invention
Inventors follow simple steps. First, they SEE a problem. Next, they THINK of an idea to fix it. Then they BUILD their idea and TRY it out. If it does not work, they FIX it and try again. Many inventions take lots of tries before they work just right. That is okay, because mistakes help inventors learn!
What Is a Patent?
When an inventor makes something new, they can get a patent. A patent is a special paper that says, 'This idea belongs to me.' A patent helps make sure the inventor gets a thank-you for their hard work when other people want to use their invention.
Match each problem to the invention that solves it.
Terms
Definitions
Drag terms onto their definitions, or click a term then click a definition to match.
What does an inventor do?
What is the FIRST step an inventor takes?
Invent Something New
Think of one problem in your day, like losing your socks or spilling your juice. Draw a picture of a brand-new invention that would solve it. Give your invention a fun name. Then tell a friend or grown-up what problem it solves and how it works.
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