# Everyone is An Inventor -- Distance Learning

**Pre-visit Activities:**

> **Activity 1:**

1.  Introduce students to what an inventor and invention are.

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a.  Inventor -- A person who produces a product or process (as something
    useful) for the first time through the use of the imagination or of
    ingenious thinking and experiment.

b.  Invention -- A device or process originated after study and
    experiment.

c.  Patent - A writing securing to an inventor for a term of years the
    exclusive right to make, use, or sell an invention

> 2\. Go over the steps in the invention process.
>
> a\. Find an Idea (what is the problem that needs to be solved)
>
> b\. Research and Planning (because these are completely creative
> inventions, research does not
>
> need to be done, students are experts in their area.)
>
> c\. Development and Testing (design and production, this is covered in
> step three)
>
> 3\. Develop and Test your product
>
> a\. Students have to solve the problem of sealing the cracks on Mount
> Rushmore. Currently high
>
> grade silicone sealant is used like caulk to seal the cracks.
> \[Finding an Idea\]
>
> b\. Come up with design and description of new invention to solve
> problem. Invention reports will
>
> be provided to help the students answer important questions in the
> invention process. \[Research
>
> and Planning\]

1.  In the classroom, before the linked program, have a brainstorming
    session with the students to come up with a new way to seal the
    cracks. No idea is too far out, in the past students have come up
    with heavy duty, super clear plastic wrap, super goo cannons, metal
    cages for the workers and fire hoses of sealant or a cement, glue
    and bubble gum mixture applied by hand with a stick.

2.  Make a list of their ideas and have students select their favorite
    ideas and begin to apply them to creating an invention. The class
    needs to decide what kind of sealant will be used and how it will be
    applied.

3.  Split the class into two groups, one to make a drawing/formula for
    the sealant and the other to make a drawing of the application
    device. An Invention Report should be filled out by each group.

4.  Each group should select two members to be the speaker, giving the
    information on the Invention Report, and two different speakers from
    each group to answer questions from the other school(s) about your
    invention.

> 4\. Preparing for the Program

d.  Have the two inventions hanging in a place where the drawings and up
    to four students at a time can be easily seen and focused on.

e.  Let the students know that another school(s) will be asking them
    questions about their invention and that they will have to ask the
    other school(s) about the other school's invention.

f.  Inform the students that if their invention meets the criteria on
    the judging form they will receive a Mount Rushmore approved patent
    for their invention. A judging form will be sent to the teacher to
    fill out while the class is working on the brainstorming, drawing
    and presentation portion of the activities. Patent will be mailed
    out after the program.

> 5\. Other Optional Activities

a.  Make a list of famous invention and inventors.

b.  Go to the Wacky Inventions website. <http://www.totallyabsurd.com/>
    The National Park Service does not control and cannot guarantee the
    relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of the materials provided by
    other agencies or organizations, nor does the NPS endorse other
    agencies or organizations, their views, products or services. It is
    recommended that teachers view the website before allowing students
    to do so.