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Beverly

We have developed about 50 inventing activiities, many that can be done within an hour. Some new ones use solar cells. We can talk off list about specifics.

Best wishes,

Ed 


>From: Beverly Perna <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: 2008/05/22 Thu AM 07:58:05 PDT
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: need your ideas

>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>Fellow travelers,
>We currently  have a wonderful, well received, "elegant" program on
>inventions. Using Googolplex, the students have to "invent" some sort of
>transportation device to transport a load of textile artifacts. It is
>inquiry, it is fun, it uses a material unfamiliar to them that they like
>to manipulate.  So what is the problem? The company went under several
>years ago, and we have exhausted the world of its spare parts.
>Hence, the need to re-invent inventions.
>The activity needs to be inquiry based, not something the schools would
>do (otherwise, why the field trip?), suitable for grades 5-8, has to fit
>within an 80 minute time slot and preferably "compressible" to
>accommodate the schools that arrive late, has to be fun and compelling,
>& demonstrate the engineering design process. Forces & Motions is in our
>state standards grades 6-8, and energy is in the engineering and
>technology standards 6-8.
>We have looked at all types of building materials.  I am intrigued with
>solving an energy problem, but the activities I have looked at either
>take too long or are simple follow the directions, not student driven to
>"invent."  The kids need to be in charge of what they come up with.
>My brain has gone numb with this problem, and I have a gut feeling that
>I am missing a simple answer because I have made it so complicated, and
>so I turn to all of you because I know you know what makes, as Bernie
>Zubrowski says, " the playful educational experience." You may reply off
>list, if you wish.
>Thanks,
>bp
>
>--
>Beverly Hill Perna, Ed.D.
>Museum Education Specialist
>Tsongas Industrial History Center
>115 John Street
>Lowell, MA  01852
>Phone: 978-970-5080
>Fax:  978-970-5085
>
>A collaboration of the Graduate School of Education,
> University of Massachusetts/Lowell
>and Lowell National Historical Park
>http://www.uml.edu/tsongas
>
>"Together we achieve the extraordinary."
>
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Global Evangalist for Creative Learning

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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

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