Objective: To have students understand that their problems have to be evaluated before the solutions can begin

Material: Activity Sheet # 4 and The Canadian Invention Quiz
 
 

Part I

1. If a student has more than one problem and is having difficulty with deciding which one to pursue as a possible invention, they need to complete Activity Sheet # 4.  This activity sheet is also very useful for those students who have already decided which problem they want to solve.  In completing the matrix, they need to develop a set of criteria particular to their problems.
The following are suggested criteria:

            * Is it difficult to construct or develop?
            * How much will it cost?
            * How much time will it involve?
            * How complex is it?
            * Will it appeal to others?

For each criteria, assign a value ranging from 1 to 5 .  If 1 is used it means that it is easy, it doesn't cost much, little time is involved, it is not complex and it has great appeal while 5 has the exact opposite.  It is very difficult to construct, it will be costly to build, etc.

2. Pass out Activity Sheet # 4 - Evaluation Grid and ask the students to copy this grid to their diary.  Put their problems or solutions in the first column and a value for each criteria must be placed in the appropriate cell.  Total the row and look for the lowest numbers.  These are the problems/solutions that they should pursue further.

3. Before the students proceeds further, it would be advisable to have the student do some research to see if this problem or its solution has not already been invented.  Look in stores, look in catalogues, search the Internet and ask people who may have knowledge in this area.
 
 

Part II

1. Invention Quiz.  You can do this as a group activity or do it for the next class depending on time.
 
 

Debriefing

Put the following ideas into the student's head:

1. It is very important to carefully evaluate the matrix so as to decide which problem/solution you will plan to pursue.  When you have invested time into the invention, it will be difficult to start over with another invention.

2. Some inventors are well known, others are not.  Wouldn't you like to be included on the list of Canadians inventors?