Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

HELP! PLEASE! My son is a 5th grader, and we are desperately in need of an INVENTION for his Science class! It's due by Monday, Oct 20th! He didn't tell me it had to be an invention until TODAY, of course I am flat broke, so this needs to be something easy and CHEAP. Preferably something we can "invent" at home.

Thank you to whomever saves us!

Sincerely,
Brandy (Mom) and Chris (Son)

Hi Brandy and Chris,

Is there a particular area of science that you have been asked to focus on? Something about biology? the Earth? the social sciences? Or if you don't have more specific instruction, what topic in these areas interests you?

The second place I'd begin concerns the nature of an "invention." Do you have any more direction about the kind of invention required? When I think about inventions in science I think first of all about new ways of measuring something. For example, the telescope was an invention that enabled Galileo to see the moons of Jupiter. Okay, you're going to set your sights lower than Galileo! So what might you measure or count?

Another kind of invention is a way of making something, e.g., a new way of cooking food. A new recipe is a new invention. Of course, if the topic is Earth science we don't just want a new way of mixing a cake. But cooking moves into chemistry fairly quickly, for example, a new way of mixing oil and water or keeping them from separating in salad dressing involves knowledge about chemistry. I guess you can see it's getting close to my dinner hour!

Perhaps if you tell us areas that interest you or tell us what other direction you've been given, I or someone else on the forum can provide more help.

Bill

Right. Terribly sorry. My son's invention must be dealing with the subject of Technology. Sadly, I do not have more information. You see, I am a single Mom, and share custody. So when he is with his father, there is a breakdown in the communication cycle. If you can shed any light on this, I'd be ever so greatful.

Thank you.

Hi Brandy & Chris,

Well "technology" is of course very broad -- it includes really any kind of device. You might start by seeing what you have around the house that could be used in a creative way. For example, if you have a camera invent a new way of using it. Kitchen appliances are technologies. A vacuum cleaner is a technology. Okay, that gives me an idea. Usually for inventions involving technologies, we start with a problem. For example, maybe the vacuum cleaner hits the wall and leaves a mark. You could invent some kind of bumper to attach to the vacuum cleaner so it didn't hit the wall.

You can also start with materials for making an invention, for example, cardboard, aluminum foil, stubs of old candles. Today with the concern about waste and our interest in recycling, it's a wonderful idea to invent ways of using leftover packaging. Think of something you have lying around that you might throw away -- can you use it to solve a problem or be useful for another task? Think of everyday problems, such as organizing things around the house or in a closet. Can you turn an ordinary cardboard box into a useful caddy for keeping pens or other materials together? Starting with a real problem is most likely to produce an interesting result -- "necessity is the mother of invention."

Perhaps this will help you and your son think of something. This can be a fun project to work on together.

Bill

Hello,

I would recommend that you create a pen which is capable of doing caculations. In other words, you can take apart a cheap calculator. Seperate the lcd screen, chip, wires, and buttons from the plastic covering. Then you should find a long pen and crazy glue the chip with the components on the end of the pen. Then your son can ask the class this question: "Have you ever been writing something and needed to do math instantly? Well now you can..."

Best of Luck