LESSON 9:  THE DESIGN PROCESS

CHALLENGE 2:
EXPLORE AND COLLECT INFORMATION

THE CHALLENGE 2 MISSION

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I can use online collaboration tools to form an idea for an invention or innovation that would help solve a problem.

CHALLENGE 2:  
​EXPLORE AND COLLECT INFORMATION

Overview of Challenge 2
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​In Challenge 2, you will work together to explore problems that need solving, research the backgrounds of these problems, and collect information that might help you to solve these problems.  This activity will help you to decide what invention or innovation your group will develop for the Lesson 9 Inventions and Innovations Project.

Collecting Information to Analyze Problems

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To solve a problem, you must collect information about the problem, then analyze the information to get to the root of the problem.  When you understand why a problem exists, you can more effectively create an invention or innovation to solve it.

In Challenge 1, you worked together to identify and define past problems that inventions and innovations have now solved.  In this activity, you are going to investigate problems that exist today that need a solution.   Then, you will use that information to form an idea for an invention or innovation that might possibly solve one of the problems you investigated.

Activity 1:  Collecting Information
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Think of some products, machines, or devices that you use in your life.  What inventions and innovations have made your life more convenient or better than it would was in the past.

Go to your class's Google Classroom and complete the first Lesson 9 Challenge 2 Activity.  Recorders, type all of the group's ideas in organizer chart.  Time Keepers, you will have five minutes to complete the activity.  Keep your group on task.  Speakers, you will present your group's ideas to the whole class after the five minute timer goes off.  Couriers, if you need pencils sharpened or have questions, you will do these errands.
Google Classroom
Activity 2:  Evaluating Problems
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​Think about your life at home, work, school, etc… What are some problems you would like to solve?  As a group complete the second Lesson 9 Challenge 2 Activity in Google Classroom.  This will help get your creativity flowing and help you find the problem you want to solve.  

​Recorders, type all of the group's ideas in the chart.  Time Keepers, you will have five minutes to complete the activity.  Keep your group on task.  Speakers, you will present your group's ideas to the whole class after the five minute timer goes off.  Couriers, if you need pencils sharpened or have questions, you will do these errands.

The Lesson Tool Box

design process: an approach for breaking down a large project into manageable chunks

invention: an item, idea, or strategy introduced to people for the first time

innovation: an improvement upon an item, idea, or strategy that has already been invented

​collaboration: working with another person or group of people to create, produce, or achieve something

market: to advertise or promote a product

5 Minute Timer

Lesson 9 Challenges
Activity 3:  Choosing a Problem to Solve
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You are now ready!  For this next activity, you will brainstorm a list of possible new inventions with your group.  Complete the third Lesson 9 Challenge 2 Activity in Google Classroom by listing all your group's ideas for possible inventions or innovations, making notes about what these inventions and innovations will do, and explaining what problems they inventions or innovations are intended to solve.  If you are struggling for ideas, refer to the Idea Bank below these instructions to help you.

​Recorders, type all of the group's ideas in the third Lesson 9 Challenge 2 Activity chart.  Time Keepers, you will have five minutes to complete the activity.  Keep your group on task.  Speakers, you will present your group's ideas to the whole class after the five minute timer goes off.  Couriers, if you need pencils sharpened or have questions, you will do these errands.
Activity 3 Idea Bank
Can't think of anything?  Try using these prompts to help inspire you.
  • A new kitchen utensil
  • A new way to turn pages in a book
  • A new way to help someone break a bad habit -- like nailbiting
  • A new way to keep dirt outside
  • A new way to water a houseplant
  • Something to keep your pet cool in the summer
  • A new way to prevent forest fires
  • A new musical instrument
  • A new game for children who have a certain disability -- like blindness
  • A new way to package food
  • A new way to send messages
  • A new way to make a job safer on the farm
  • A new piece of playground equipment
  • A new way to fasten things together
  • A new way for people to keep from getting lost in the woods
  • A better birdbath or birdfeeder
  • A new way to exercise your pet
  • Something to make a short or tall person's life easier
  • A new garden tool
  • A new product that absorbs liquids
  • A new way to move or pick up something that is very heavy
  • A new drawing or painting tool
  • A new way to recycle
  • Something that makes one of your chores easier to do
  • A new way to control pests
  • A new product that helps disabled people

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

YES!

I accomplished my mission today!  I can use online collaboration tools to form an idea for an invention or innovation that would help solve a problem.
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Click here to go back to the Lesson 9 Home Page.
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Click here to go to the Lesson 9 Challenge 3 Page.
LESSON DEVELOPED USING:
The Discover Design Handbook
Inventions Iowa Education Guide
The Invention Convention
The PBS Design Squad