African American African American InventorsInventors

Imagine a world without them!Imagine a world without them!

African American African American InventorsInventorsBy Christel Peele and Michele DeLury, Oaklawn By Christel Peele and Michele DeLury, Oaklawn

Language AcademyLanguage Academy

This webquest is about African-This webquest is about African-American inventors and howAmerican inventors and how

their inventions help make our their inventions help make our daily lives easier.daily lives easier.

Students will examine what life Students will examine what life would be like without these would be like without these inventions.inventions.

IntroductionIntroductionDid you ever wonder where yourDid you ever wonder where yourSuper Soaker water gun cameSuper Soaker water gun came from?  from?  What would life be like without peanut What would life be like without peanut

butter?  butter?  All of these things were invented by All of these things were invented by

African American scientists.  African American scientists.  Are you ready to discover who came Are you ready to discover who came

up with all of these wonderful ideas up with all of these wonderful ideas and more? and more?

TaskTask

First you will pick an invention that you First you will pick an invention that you want to learn more about.  Next, you will want to learn more about.  Next, you will learn about the invention and who invented learn about the invention and who invented it.  You will work with a partner to make a it.  You will work with a partner to make a report about the invention and its inventor.  report about the invention and its inventor.  How does it make life better?  What would How does it make life better?  What would life be like without it? life be like without it?

You will be working with your partner to You will be working with your partner to write and illustrate a report about an write and illustrate a report about an invention and its inventor.invention and its inventor.

ProcessProcess

Explore the world Explore the world as it is today as it is today because of the because of the amazing people amazing people who made our who made our lives better.  What lives better.  What would our lives be would our lives be like without their like without their inventions?inventions?

   

Day 1Day 1

Choose an invention that you want to learn Choose an invention that you want to learn more about. Write down the name of the more about. Write down the name of the inventor and draw a picture of the inventor and draw a picture of the invention. invention.

Keep completed work in your Invention Keep completed work in your Invention FolderFolder

Google ImagesGoogle Images Black InventorsBlack Inventors

Day 2Day 2

With your partner talk about how With your partner talk about how this invention makes life better.  this invention makes life better.  Record the ideas on the circle Record the ideas on the circle map.  Use the circle map to help map.  Use the circle map to help you write sentences about how you write sentences about how this invention makes life better. this invention makes life better.

Keep completed work in your Keep completed work in your invention folder.invention folder.

Day 3Day 3

Start to gather information for the Start to gather information for the tri-fold poster. This should tri-fold poster. This should include: include:

5 interesting facts about the inventor.5 interesting facts about the inventor. 3 or more pictures of the invention and 3 or more pictures of the invention and

inventor.inventor. A description of the invention (in Spanish)A description of the invention (in Spanish) A timeline of the inventors life A timeline of the inventors life Writing describing what life would be like Writing describing what life would be like

without the invention.without the invention.

ExampleExample

Day 4Day 4

Research and discuss what patents are Research and discuss what patents are and why we need them.and why we need them.

Complete the provided packet to create Complete the provided packet to create your own invention.your own invention.

Use the online dictionary to find the Use the online dictionary to find the meanings of the words; utility, novel, and meanings of the words; utility, novel, and unobvious. Fill out page 3 with the unobvious. Fill out page 3 with the definitions.definitions.

Complete the provided packet to create Complete the provided packet to create your own inventionyour own invention

Online DictionaryOnline Dictionary

EvaluationEvaluationBeginning

1Developing

2Qualified

3Exemplary

4

I worked all by myself

I worked with my partner sometimes.

I worked with my partner most of the time.

I worked with my partner all the time.

There is no timeline .

2 parts of the timeline.

There are 3 parts of the timeline.

The timeline is completed correctly.

No interesting facts.

1 or 2 interesting facts

3 or 4 interesting facts

5 interesting facts

No description in Spanish

There is some description

There is sufficient description

The invention is completely described in Spanish

There is no pictures

1 or 2 pictures 3 pictures 3 or more pictures

ConclusionConclusion

We have learned that inventors We have learned that inventors and their inventions can make and their inventions can make our lives easier.our lives easier.

We have also learned about the We have also learned about the contributions of African contributions of African American inventors to today’s American inventors to today’s society.society.