EQUIPMENT
Chalkboard or flipchart or whiteboard. Scrap paper and pencils for doodling.
DESCRIPTION
The teacher writes three (unrelated) prompt-words on the board. (See the list below for ideas.)
Students work in small groups of 3 or 4.
Groups have one minute to come up with as many ideas as possible for new inventions. They do not have to explain how it will work - nor even justify whether such an invention could be made. The purpose of the exercise is to stimulate original thought - not to constrain or limit students’ thinking.
Student suggestions have included:
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A machine that takes your dog for a walk - and scoops up its mess;
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A hair-combing machine;
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Reversible clothes that are suitable for hot or cold weather depending on which way they are worn;
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A mechanical "mole" that burrows into the earth to find water (in hot countries) and then pumps it back along a tail-like tube.
Suggestions may be related to the prompt words - but need not be.
Students are encouraged to share their ideas with the other groups.
All ideas are treated positively. If possible, all contributions should be rewarded.
BEFORE
None
AFTER
Students could be encouraged to evaluate their suggestions; to draw their inventions; or to make models of them.
Suggestions generated by this activity can be used as the basis of the BrainBites activity “Invent-a-name”.
“What’s-it-do?” is a related BrainBites activity
LOGICAL
MUSICAL
INTRA-PERS.
PHYSICAL
LINGUISTIC
INTER-PERS.
NATURALIST
VISUAL
SEE
HEAR
talk
run
carry
deaf
blind
TABLE
dog
pets
house
door
sleep
draw
hop
holiday
EAT
drink
colour
grass
garden
travel
work
money
WRITE
CLOTHES
FRUIT
PAPER
TREE
WATER
PICTURE
PLANET
FAT
TALL
farm
SMILE
BELL
POLICE
SHOP
FACE
car
baby
window
bell
water
food
poor
garage
aeroplane
ENTERtainment
communicate
WHEELCHAIR
COMPUTER