Academy of Applied Science
Young Inventors Program
OVERVIEW
The New Hampshire Young Inventors' Program is a positive approach to helping students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills by inviting them to invent solutions to everyday problems.
The invention process provides an opportunity for all students to participate and be successful. All children can identify problems in their homes or neighborhoods. Almost every day of their lives they will face at least one problem. Some examples of real-life problems, identified and solved by students, are: an unmade bed, a dog that eats the cat food, and a grandmother with a broken leg that must be elevated when she sits.
A unit on inventive thinking, which includes the production of an original invention, is limited only by the imagination of the teachers and students. You might ask, "with everything else I have to teach, why take the time for inventing?" Research has shown that inventing will:
--enhance self-image
--stimulate and foster creativity
--relate the scientific method to real life
--fire up the inventive spirit in our culture
--develop the essential skills of logical thinking, creative problem solving, intellectual risk-taking, and communication
Students will also:
--solve actual problems
--develop higher-level thinking skills
--use creative and critical thinking skills
--use library and other research skills
--experience success and increased self-esteem
--learn to document the inventive-thinking process
--Produce an original invention and receive recognition for participating in the invention process.
General Information <
Participation in the Young Inventors' Celebration has grown steadily since the program started in 1986. Currently, there are over 6,000 students on the invention track in New Hampshire. The guidelines for school entries are listed below:
Inventions--One grade level entry per 100 student participants with an additional entry allowed if student participants exceed 125. Students can compete in special award categories, can compete in more than one category, and all inventions are eligible for grade level awards.
Rube Goldberg--Rube inventions are limited to three (3) students per team. One grade level Rube invention entry per 100 participants with an additional entry allowed if student participants exceed 125.
Timeline
--Conduct a classroom or school invention program
--Select invention/s to represent each grade (K-8) in your school
--Have each inventor complete the official student entry form which they will bring with them
--Send school entry form by deadline to NHYIP, Academy of Applied Science, 24 Warren St, Concord NH 03301
--Confirmation will be sent to participating schools. Please call the Academy if you don't receive a confirmation.
Student Guidelines
Please share this information with the student winners who will be attenting the May Celebration.
--Students should complete the Student Entry Form and bring it with them to the Celebration.
--Students should do reseach using stores, catalogues or interviews to ensure their inventions are unique.
--Students should be prepared to make an oral presentation and answer any questions the judges may have.
Judging Information
How it works: The judging process is an important component of the May Celebration. Three judges are assigned to each grade level to evaluate each invention and to ask pertinent questions of the inventor. During this time other students in the room are invited to listen to each presentation. Parents and friends are asked to leave the room while judging is underway.
Inventions are judged on the following criteria: originality, written description/presentation, model/illustration, research performed and usefulness. After they view all the inventions, the judges return to the judges' room and make difficult decisions regarding their observations.