Millwood School’s fifth-grade students recently took part in an invention unit which is part of Millwood School’s fifth grade STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum. In this unit, students study famous inventors and have an opportunity to design and create their own inventions.
The Invention Convention is the culmination of the invention unit of study. During the Invention Convention, students present their final invention. Presentations include information regarding the design process and the scientific method. Students share information about the challenges they faced with the inventions from conception to completion. This year the fifth grade presentations were both educational and entertaining. Among the inventions was a Solar Powered Fish Feeder and a weed-free Pocket Plant!
The fifth graders also studied a unit on pioneers and participated in a simulation to teach them about the westward expansion. Students recreated some of the experiences that the real pioneers encountered along the Oregon Trail. Through this experience, students had the opportunity to work cooperatively with their “wagon company” to solve lifelike problems through role-play and reenacting. Students had to apply math and logic skills while acquiring a better understanding of history. Students also had the opportunity to construct their wagon company’s prairie schooner. Each group could only use the materials provided to them to create the schooner. Students had the opportunity to race their prairie schooners during the Invention Convention.
source: Betsy Latham, Millwood School
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