How do you become a great inventor?

Invention & Engineering

Lesson narration:

English Spanish

Activity Prep

In this mini-lesson, students are introduced to the surprisingly important role of “failure” in the process of developing solutions to problems. In the activity, Bobby Dropper, students try to save a falling bobby pin from a crash landing by inventing a paper device to slow the fall. They work like inventors, learning from their failures — and learning that failures are part of the invention process!

What you’ll need for students


Bobby Dropper Ideas (Grades K-2) printout	Print 30 copies
Inventing a Bobby Dropper (Grades 3-5) worksheet	30 copies
Save Bobby! Teacher Background worksheet	1 copy
Blank Paper (8.5 x 11")	90 sheets
Bobby Pin Older students can use paper clips instead, but we’ve found that bobby pins are easier to use for younger students.	Details 120 pins
Scissors	30 pairs

Prepare Paper

You can use scrap paper for this activity. Use a paper cutter to cut your 8-½ x 11” sheets in half, making sheets that measure 8-½ x 5-½”. You should have enough pieces of paper so that each student has six pieces. If you don’t have time for this preparation, you can use 8-½ x 11” sheets, but be warned: students can go through a lot of sheets. We use half sheets only to minimize how much paper you need.

Review Extension

We have provided an extension video that demonstrates our invention and experimentation process. This will give you some insights into the process and may be useful for your students as well.

Exploration

8 mins

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Wrap-Up

3 mins

Image & Video Credits

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