Third Grade Inventions

After our gears projects, students were still obsessed with machines. So we drew some ideas of inventions that would help people. We viewed slides and discussed Art vs. Design. Children formed pairs or groups of 3 to share ideas and formulate a combination invention using everyone's ideas.
Next they received a planning paper. They named and drew their team invention. They listed possible parts they might need, keeping my box of recycled "stuff" in mind. We discussed ways to attach items without glue, tape or staples. These I represented on a poster for them. They included lashing, sewing, inserting, notching and connecting, wrapping, holes and brass fasteners. They had to plan which methods they wanted to use to secure items. After my approval, they selected a box, and "stuff" to start constructing a model of their invention. We have many ingenious engineers! Then students made the design into art. They are adding paint to the machines. The final step will involve a written reflection on the process, what worked and didn't work. Then an oral presentation to the class. The buzz in the room is amazing. Everyone is super engaged and excited! Here are just a few examples.