invention convention - Fort Worth ISD Schools

Student Handbook
Morningside Elementary School
Grades K-2
Project due on
December 1, 2010

Inventor’s Timeline
Please note there are NO groups or Class projects in Invention Convention; it is all individual
projects based on an invention or an innovation of an existing product.
November 1, 2010 –Inventor’s Handbook, Rubric, and Timeline distributed.
Rubric must be signed by parent and returned for documentation. The
rubric will be returned to student the following day.
November 2, 2010 – Student returns rubric with parent signature to class.
November 3, 2010 – Invention Log distributed; required to make one entry
every day (including weekends); students will receive a grade based on
completeness on scheduled and unscheduled log checks in class.
November 8, 2010 – Students should select their best idea and begin
research, making a detailed diagram of invention/innovation with all
parts labeled, and begin making model of invention/innovation.
December 1, 2010 – The Tri fold board presentation, model of
invention/innovation, and invention log are due in class. There will be
no excuses accepted.
December 2, 2010 – Campus Judging Day
December 3, 2010 – Winner’s information sent to FWISD office
December 9, 2010 – District Invention Convention at Billingsley Field House
– public may view projects from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

The project does require a Tri-fold board. Please note the board
can be re-covered and re-used for Science Fair (which are
also school required projects this year for all students).
The project board must have a border. These can be
purchased border, ribbon, hand-painted or sponged painted
borders or be creative!
Parents, if you have any questions, please write your teacher
a note, email, or call the school.
Happy Inventing and Enjoy!
Caroline Hill
SIP Coordinator

I have seen the Inventor’s Handbook and Inventor’s timeline. I
am aware that my child has a project due on December 1, 2010.
This project will receive grades in Science, Social Studies,
Language Arts, and Reading for the third six week grading period.
Child’s name: _______________________
Parent’s signature: ______________________
Date: _____________________________

The Invention Convention Steps for Students
Grades K-2
Can you invent something? Can you think of an idea or invention that will help people? Read the
five steps below. They will help you to become an inventor. Then
bring your idea or invention to the Invention Convention.
Step 1: Learning About Inventors
Learn about inventors. Read about them in books.
Talk to people about them.
Step 2: Finding an Idea
Think about something people need in order to make
life better. Talk to people about something they would
like to see changed. Then tell your teacher about it on a
special sheet of paper called "My New Idea."
Step 3: Research and Planning
Use your plan to make an invention. Or write about
how your invention would help to solve a problem. Be
sure to follow science safety rules when you make an
invention.
Step 4: Developing and Testing
Test your invention or your plan. Make sure it works
and is safe to use. Tell about your invention. You may
want to draw a picture of it. Use the sheet called My
Invention.
Step 5: Attending the Invention Convention
Get your invention or plan ready for the Invention
Convention. Try to make it look as good as you can.
Learn all you can about how it works and what it is
good for. Bring it to the Invention Convention. Be
ready to answer questions.

Examples of Student Inventions
“I can't think of anything to invent!” is a complaint teachers sometimes hear when
students begin the inventing process. You can encourage students by discussing
some of the inventions listed here that students have created over the past few
years.
a device that cleans gutters
a plastic product that holds a book while you eat
a rain poncho designed for use when riding a bicycle
a lunch-box alarm that goes off when an unauthorized person opens the
box
a bird feeder that protects feed from wind and rain
a new board game
a newly designed bottle opener
a toothpaste cap that minimizes waste and mess
a device that prevents blisters from forming on hands when raking,
shoveling, or sweeping
a billfold that organizes money by denomination for blind people
a new candy bar
a new type of swing set
clothing tags to help match and coordinate clothes
a dog collar that lights up at night
a bedspread that zips down the middle
safety suspenders that light up at night for joggers or bikers
a lock for a folding door
a new type of ice cream container that minimizes mess
a new type of rake that allows you to pick up leaves without bending over
an infant support that prevents a very young baby from falling over
a robot that distributes and collects student papers
a glove with a light for signaling turns when riding a bike at night
a better, more comfortable swing set
a device to hold objects for disabled people who use a walker
a computer program that includes graphics and music for entertaining
children aged 3 months to 4 years
a child's seat that fits a shopping cart
a hearing-aid guard
a mailbox alert device that signals when mail has been delivered to a
roadside mailbox
a leg cast sock to keep toes warm
tapeless wrapping paper
a comforter for cats
an outside house light that flashes to signal police, firemen, or other
helpers as to which house made a call for assistance

a computer program that catalogs videotapes
an eyeglass defogging device
a device that makes it easier to swallow pills
a drying rack for gloves
a liquid that covers fade marks on blue jeans
a light switch for young children
a chocolate-candy device that prevents ice cream cones from dripping
a bus-stop night light

Resources
Books
Students can be encouraged and stimulated by reading about inventors and
inventions. The books listed below contain many illustrations and ideas that can
help to get students started on their way toward inventing a new product or
process.
Caney, Steven. Steven Caney's Invention Book. New York: Workman Publishing
Co., 1985.
Dunn, Susan and Rob Larson. Design Technology: Children's Engineering.
Falmer Press, 1990. (Grades K-6)
Eichelberger, Barbara and Connie Larson. Constructions for Children: Projects in
Design Technology. Available from Dale Seymour Publications. (Grades 1-4)
Jones, Foltz Charlotte. Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions and How
They Came to Be. New York: Doubleday, 1991.
Karnes, Francis, Suzanne H. Bean, and Rose Mary Wallner.Girls and Young
Women Inventing: Twenty True Stories About Inventors Plus How You Can Be
One Yourself. Free Spirit, 1995. (Grades 3-6)
Kramer, Stephen P. How to Think Like a Scientist: Answering Questions by the
Scientific Method. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1987. (Grades 2-4)
McCormack, Alan J. Inventor's Workshop. Belmont, CA: Pitman Learning, Inc.
1981. (Grades 2-6)
McKissack, Pat and Frederick L. McKissack. African-American Inventors.
Millbrook Press, 1994. (Grades 4-7)
Rasmussen, Greta. WakerUppers: A Spirited Collection of Thinking Activities.
Available from Dale Seymour Publications. (Grades 2-6)
Rowland, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Leonard Molotsky. Resource of Creative and
Inventive Activities. Richardson, TX: National Inventive Thinking Association,
1994. (For teachers)
Sobey, Ed. Inventing Stuff. Available from Dale Seymour Publications. (Grades 5
and up)

Stanish, Bob. The Unconventional Invention Book. Carthage, IL: Good Apple,
Inc., 1981.
Striker, Susan. Build a Better Mousetrap. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston,
1983.
Taylor, Barbara. Be an Inventor. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1987. (Grades 3 and
up)
Tucker, Tom and Richard Loehle. Brainstorm: The Stories of Twenty American
Kid Inventors. Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1995. (Grades 4-7)
Yenne, Bill. 100 Inventions That Shaped World History. Bluewood Books, 1993.
(Grades 3-6)
Book and CD-ROM
Macaulay, David. The Way Things Work. Dorling Kindersley Publishing.
Available from Dale Seymour Publications. (Grades 5 and up)
Web Links
Invention Dimension (tm) - http://web.mit.edu/afs/athena.mit.edu/org/i/invent/
Inventure Place, National Inventors Hall of Fame – http://www.invent.org/
EurekAlert! - http://www.eurekalert.org/
By Kids For Kids Young Inventors and Kid's How to Invent -
http://www.bkfk.com/

My New Idea (K-2 grades)
The date today is
______________________________________________________.
My name is
______________________________________________________.
I am in grade
______________________________________________________.
The name of my school is
______________________________________________________.
The address of my school is
______________________________________________________.
The telephone number of my school is
______________________________________________________.
I am going to invent
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
I will need
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Here is a picture of how it might look:

My Invention (K-2 grades)
The date today is
______________________________________________________.
My name is
_______________________________________________________
I am in grade
______________________________________________________.
This is the problem I found.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
I have invented
_______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
It is helpful because
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
My invention works like this.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
I believe my invention is a brand new idea.
I would like to show my invention at the Invention Convention.
Signed
_______________________________________________________
Witness: (teacher)
_______________________________________________________
Witness: (parent)
_______________________________________________________

Research and Development Date_________________
(K-2 Grades)
Student Inventor
_______________________________________________________
(Last name) (First name)
Answer each of the following questions briefly to provide a short
overall description of the research and development work done on
your invention. Use additional pages if necessary. Be sure your
answers are readable and in complete sentences.
1. What did I read that helped me with my invention?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. Who did I talk to about solving problems and planning properly?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. What materials did I use?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
4. How did I control the cost of my invention?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
5. What steps did I follow; what problems did I have to overcome?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
6. How did I test my invention or process?
_______________________________________________________

Fort Worth Independent School District
INVENTION CONVENTION
Written Description
(To be completed by the Student)
INVENTION NAME:
______________________________________________
What is the need or problem
solved?_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
What research did you do on your invention?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
How does it
work?______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
How is it made?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Cost:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
You w ill be judged on content, expression of idea, and legibility. *Grades K-3 only: Written
Description will be judged for content only. Teachers or parents may assist by writing the
Written Description; however, IDEAS AND CONTENT MUST BE CHILD’S OWN.

Fort Worth Independent School District
INVENTION CONVENTION
DRAWING OF INVENTION
INVENTION NAME: _________________________________________
Be sure to draw and label all parts. Students may use pens, crayons, or
magic markers for drawing. Suggestion: Colors make your invention
come alive!
Note: Drawing must be completed entirely by the student! You will be scored on
how completely you illustrate your invention. Be sure to label all parts and make
your drawing as attractive and useful as possible.

HERE’S SOMETHIN G ELSE I WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT MY
INVENTION
Include any information you want the judges to know about your
invention that wasn’t included in the Written Description. You might
want to describe any special research you did, any marketing/ advertising
plans you developed, and whether you have actually tried out your
invention.
FORT WORTH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

INVENTION CONVENTION
Official Judging Form
JUDGING CRITERIA: POINTS POSSIBLE
ORIGINALITY
The innovation or invention shows uniqueness,
novelty, and creative thinking. Presentation of board. 20
USEFULNESS
The innovation or invention solves a
problem or need and has a market. 20
WRITTEN DESCRIPTION*
TH ILLUSTRATION
The description of the innovation or invention
clearly explains the invention, is legible, and
expresses the ideas of the inventor. The illustration
is a clear, attractive visual explanation of the
student’s idea. All parts are labeled and the
illustration is complete. 30
RESEARCH PERFORMED
The written description reflects the quality and
comprehensiveness of the student’s research.
“Something else I want Judges to know.” 30
TOTAL POINTS 100
*Grades K-3 only: Written Description section will be judged for content only. Teachers or parents may
assist the child by writing or typing the Written Description; however, ideas and content must be the child’s
own.

INVENTION CONVENTION
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. The only items that may be submitted by students are inventions and innovations. Inventions
are defined as useful things, which have not previously been made. Inventions and innovations
are defined as new products, processes or services or an improvement of existing products,
processes or services. It has to be an improvement on how the item works.
2. A student must submit a signed parent permission slip allowing him/her to participate.
3. Students should obtain an official FWISD Invention Convention entry form from their
teachers.
4. Submit the completed entry form to the classroom teacher, along with a written description,
drawing (Forms 4A, 4B, and 4C), and model.
5. The school selects one winning class project from K-2 nd grade. They also select three
winning individual projects from the primary grades (K-2), and three winning individual projects
from the intermediate grade levels (3-5). Middle schools may submit one entry from each
Science class participating in the school-based contest or up to five entries.
Each of these winners may enter the District Invention Convention competition. 1 st place
grade level winners may also enter the Invent America competition. Any projects done by two or
more students, except for the class project, will not be allowed to compete. All projects that
are entered in the District Competition must be on triptychs—no poster boards will be accepted.
6. Students will submit a model of their invention with the official entry form signed by the
building level coordinators. Completed models may be no larger that 3’ by 3’ by 3’. In grades
K-3 only the Written Description will be judged for content only. Displays must include Written
Description and Drawing of the Invention. NO NAMES OR PICTURES OF THE
STUDENTS AND/OR FAMILY MEMBERS MAY BE ON THE DISPLAY. This will cause the
project to be removed from the competition. This is to ensure that all projects are judged
fairly. It is highly recommended that all projects have a log book where all rough drafts can be
viewed. This may be placed in front of the object. (Please be sure there are NO NAMES.)
7. All entries will be judged based upon the following criteria:
A. Originality
B. Usefulness
C. Written Description
D. Research
E. Illustration
8. It is clearly and fully understood that the student and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will
hold harmless the Fort Worth Independent School District and its designees for any property loss
or injury generated by or resulting from the entry.

9. NO ENTRY MAY EXCEED A SPENDING LIMIT OF $20.00. All costs should be
documented in the student’s log and the Written Description page.
10. All decisions made by the judges are absolute and final.

INVENTION CONVENTION
Reglas
1. Los estudiantes solamente podrán presentar cosas que son invenciones o innovaciones.
Invenciones se define domo cosas que son utiles y que nunca han sido creadas.
Innovaciones se define como cosas que son productos o servicios o procesos nuevos o el
mejoramiento de productos, servicios o processos que ya existen. Esto no incluye hacer
algo ver se diferente o major. Tiene que ser un mejoramiento en como trabaja el
producto.
2. Los estudiantes tienen que entregar permiso escrito de sus padres que el estudiante
puede participar.
3. El estudiante tiene que obtener la solicitad oficial de fort Worth ISD Invention Convencion
de se maestro.
4. El estudiante tiene que entragar la solicitud official al maestro de su salon incluyendo una
descripción escrita, un dibujo, y un modelo.
5. Cada escuela seleccionará un proyecto ganador de los grados K-2. Tambien
seleccionarán tres de los grados primaries (K-2) y tres proyectos de los grados
intermedios (3-5). Escuelas secundarias pueden someter una entrada por cada clase de
ciencias. Cada ganador puede entrar a la competición de “Invent America Contest” y la
competición del distrito de Fort Worth “Invention Convention”. Cualquier proyecto de los
grados 3-7 hecho por dos estudiantes no sera permitidos competir. Todos los
proyectos entrados a la competición del distrito tienen que estar un triptych, cartelones no
sera acceptados.
6. Los estudiantes van a someter un modelo de su invención con una forma de solicitud
oficial firmada por el cordinador de la escuela. Los modelos no pueden ser mas grandes
de 3’ por 3’ por 3’. (Lo sentimos si esto causa una inconveniencia, pero solo hay cierto
espacio par las exhibiciónes.) En los grados K-3 solamente el contenico de descripción
sera juzgado. La exhibición debe incluir una descripción escrita y un dibujo de la
invención. Nombres o fotografias de los estudiante y/o familiars no deben estar en la
exhibición. Esto causara que el proyecto sea removido de al competencia. Esto es para
aseguara todos los proyectos sean juzgados imparcialmente.
7. Todos los proyectos serán juzgados con el siguiente criterio:
A. Originalidad
B. Utilidad
C. Descripción escrita
D. Investigación
E. Ilustración
8. El distrio escolar de Fort Worth y sus designados no serán responsables por daños o
heridas por

causa de la participación del estudiante.
9. LAS ENTRADAS NO PUEDEN EXCEDER MAS DE $20.00 EN GASTOS. Todos los
gastos deben ser documentados en el cuaderno de estudiante y en la pagina escrita de
descripciónes.
10. Todas las decisions hechas por los juezas son absolutas y finales.