Technology & Learning - November 2008 - (Page 10)

news trends Investing In Invention What do a durable filtration system, a sensing cane for the visually impaired, and a solar-electric watercraft have in common? All were projects dreamed up by high schoolers and awarded $10,000 development grants from the InvenTeam initiative at The Lemelson-MIT Program last month. “[This] is a fun and educational way to promote the value of inventive thinking and doing,” says Leigh Estabrooks, the Lemelson-MIT Program’s invention education officer. “The initiative challenges students to identify real-world issues and develop practical solutions that integrate science, technology, engineering, and math combined with creative thought.” “Since our students have a FIRST robotics background, they wanted to invent something that would complement their strengths—mechanical contraptions,” says Tom Moser, Teen Technology InvenTeam. “After brainstorming, we decided to invent an adaptive grain dehuller for use in remote poor villages.” Students are encouraged to seek out mentor relationships with estab- Brian Lynch, Arjuna Hayes, Mac Devlin, and Ben Waldman of The Bromfield High School InvenTeam in Harvard, MA, working on their Sensing Cane for the Visually Impaired. lished community professionals. In many cases, local companies support InvenTeams’ projects with additional funding and materials. “Citrus crops are a major part of the Florida economy, and freezes can cause devastating losses for farmers,” says Troy Soos, Oviedo High School InvenTeam. “By choosing this particular subject for our invention, my students Sites We Like: Teacher Survival Central www.discoveryeducation.com/ survival) This new Web site offers tips, tricks, tools, and practical suggestions for easing entry into the teaching field. Educators will find classroom management techniques, lesson plans, peer-networking resources, tools to create engaging learning centers, and more. are now networking with local scientists and farmers to experience the collaborative nature of technological innovation.” In June, the InvenTeams will show their wares at EurekaFest, presented by the Lemelson-MIT Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus in Cambridge, MA. “When students are asked to solve problems they don’t have answers to at the back of the textbook, real learning takes place,” says Mark Westlake, Saint Thomas Academy InvenTeam. “The grant money allows us to fail more often and then find ways to overcome those failures. Our students were pushed to realize that there are many ways to answer a problem.” Think the bright minds in your classroom have what it takes? 2009 applications are now available, with a Spring submission deadline (web.mit. edu/inventeams/). Past winners can apply to renew grants to reinvigorate local community involvement and motivate dedicated students to continue in their STEM-related pursuits. —Sascha Zuger 10 | TECH & LEARNING http://www.discoveryeducation.com/survival http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/ http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/

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Technology & Learning - November 2008 Contents Editor’s Desk News & Trends Put to the Test WeeWorld Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection SAS Curriculum Pathways Rosetta Stone Classroom Version Pulse Smartpen Highlights from T&L Top Classrooms Kepping the VoIP from Being the Wrong Number Watch It Back Office Business What’s New Keeping Tabs Leader of the Year Profile: Music to Their Ears

Technology & Learning - November 2008

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