I feel that in creating inventions, students not only have been challenged to solve a problem but have truly been able to take ownership of their learning. In this way what they are doing has heightened meaning. My class has researched information on famous inventors via the Internet. They have also communicated with students in two other schools to share and compare what they are learning and what kind of things they are inventing. I have been teaching for eighteen years.
Motivation is the key to learning.
I think it is essential to find the way to motivate each student to learn while making the connection between learning and the its application to our daily lives. Part of my role, as a teacher is to assist each child in becoming a well-adjusted, healthy, and productive citizen. I did several things this year to motivate my students in relation to inventions and the science of everyday things. The focus I provided was flight and many students had some knowledge of principles behind flight that were amazing. This made the others want to learn even more.