Summer fun and learning idea: USS Hornet, Alameda, CA

I promised students that I would post some ideas for summer fun and learning.  My first post is about the USS Hornet aircraft carrier in Alameda, CA.  A few days ago, on Father's Day, my family visited the USS Hornet for the program, "Salute to Dad!"  They had a special BBQ and Magic Show and it was living ship day so my son was allowed to ride an aircraft elevator.

The Aircraft Carrier is open most days, but the next family event is the 4th of July Celebration.  We've been to this event and it felt very patriotic.  They will have patriotic events,  food, games, and even a live concert.  There will even be kids' games, a bounce house, and free pinball machines.

For parents, on the hangar deck from 2:00PM until 8:00PM the band Golden Gate Harmony, a cappella barbershop quartet will play.

The view is amazing, but dress warm as it can get very chilly in Alameda!

Information:

USS Hornet
Alameda, CA

website:  www.HornetEvents.com

phone:  (510)  521- 8448

Note:  My father was in the navy for three years working on planes in Alameda on this very base, so it is so much fun to talk about family history on the aircraft carrier with my son!

Invention Convention Overview

Our Invention Convention unit introduced students to the inventive process.  The students:  

• Brainstormed potential inventions, including through the use of the scientific method; 
• Learned the difference between a prototype/model and a final invention/product, which can take substantial expertise and years to build; 
• Learned the importance to the inventive process of building a prototype; 
• Itemized the materials necessary to build a prototype/model; 
• Conceptualized the invention by assessing whether or not they could create a prototype, refining the inventions along the way; 
• Described the invention in words, which is important to filing a patent application; 
• Articulated the purpose of their invention; 
• Created a blueprint/sketch of the invention; 
• Built a prototype/model.

 Our blog chronicles these steps, and you can find pictures of our Invention Convention displays in our latest posts below. 

Invention Convention Reflections

Following are pictures of our final Invention Convention displays.  We are also posting the students’ reflections about their inventions and the inventive process.  Their reflections included a short discussion of what they did and did not like about the process of creating their prototypes.  They also reflected on what they might do differently if they were to re-make their prototypes.

Invention Convention 2013 Photos

 

Lego Hotel (ZL)

I built a Lego Hotel for the Invention Convention.  I enjoyed building the Lego Hotel because my grandmother liked it.  It took me a long time to build it, and I like building with Legos.  It was easy because we have a box full of Legos.  It was also hard because I forgot to put glue on the Legos to keep them together.  If I had to rebuild my prototype, I would use building blocks instead of Legos.  I liked doing this project.

The Amazing Translating Dictionary (VG & LR)

We made the Amazing Translating Dictionary.  What we liked about our invention was that it was fun building it.  We like doing arts and crafts.  We think our invention was creative and colorful.  The invention could help other people to communicate.

What we would do differently is that we would add other languages, like Mandarin or German.  We would also add another headphone so two people can use it. 

Food + Technology = Fun (MQ)

I made a stereo plate.  It protects a phone by covering it so food will not get on it.  The stereo is used to play music while you are eating.  The plate is, of course, for the food.  The name of the invention is Food + Technology = Fun.  If I could change the prototype, I would decorate it and change the color.  I would also create a plate that you could use over and over again.

Glove Jacket (MB)

I made a glove jacket for the Invention Convention!  I enjoyed making my invention, but sometimes it was hard.  One day, I came home on a Friday and started crying.  I didn’t like it because it was very hard because I could not find the right glove and jacket.  If I were to rebuild the prototype, I would use different sides and colors.

Hair Band-Clip (SG)

I made a Hair Band-Clip.  I enjoyed making my Hair Band-Clip.  I didn’t like having to go through the process of thinking.  I think my invention is nice because you don’t have to wear a boring hair clip.  If I built the prototype again, I wouldn’t do anything different with it.

Stuffing Magic (MP)

I made an invention called “Stuffing Magic.”  I liked my invention because you can sew back together your stuffed animal if it gets ruined.

My first invention was “X-treme Beauty.”  It was a nail polish that had a remover connected to the bottom.  I decided not to do it because I looked online and it was already invented.

I think my invention is a really good invention.  The invention has duct tape all around.  I don’t like that moon sand is at the bottom because duct tape doesn’t stick to moon sand.  My invention has a tube filled with stuffing that is covered with duct tape on the outside.  It also has a needle and thread on it.  I think my invention is amazing.

Mickey Mouse (JT)

I made a life-sized Mickey Mouse.  I liked it because it was fun.  I didn’t like all of it because it was kind of hard.  I think my invention is fun to play with.  If I rebuilt the prototype, I would use different colors and patterns.  I would also include a realistic head.

Cutie Fruitie Watch (KC & H)

KC:

I made a Cutie Fruitie watch.  I enjoyed making the watch with my friend.  I also enjoyed having a second opinion on everything.  I did not like that we did not have a lot of duct tape.  I think my invention was cool because it could be worn by boys and girls.  If I rebuilt the prototype, I would use more duct tape.

H:

I made a Cutie Fruitie watch.  My watch is made with duct tape.  It is scented and waterproof.  The brand name is Cutie Fruitie.  I did my invention with K.  I enjoyed every part of making the watch.  K and I also made duct tape and scented first aid kits and wallets.

Toddler Proof Book (JW)

I made a toddler-proof book.  I liked that you could still read it after I applied the tape to the book to toddler-proof it.  I did not like how the tape wrinkled.  I think that my invention is important because toddlers can ruin books.  If I rebuilt my prototype, I would use different tape that would not wrinkle and would stay straight.

Math Flash Cards (V & RJH)

V:

I made flash cards.  I enjoyed making them.  I didn’t like it all the time because it was hard.  I think my invention is important because it helps you learn.  If I rebuilt the prototype, I would color the cards.

RJH:

I made a supply man.  But then I started working with V.  I liked making the flash cards because I got to do it with my best friend.  I think my invention is important because it helps kids learn.  If I rebuilt my invention, I would make the cards more of a challenge.

TV Glasses (DB, TO)

DB:

I made TV Glasses.  I liked building it.  I didn’t like when we had to talk about it.  I think my invention is important because people can use it to watch TV.

TO:

I liked putting the batteries on the TV Glasses.  I didn’t like putting the pictures in the glasses.  I think my invention is fun because I would not be bored if the glasses worked.  If I built another prototype I would put more pictures on the glasses.  I really like my invention.

The Radio Active Phone (OJ)

I built a Radio Active Phone.  I enjoyed building it because it was fun, but it was also hard and took a very long time.  I think my invention is important because it is easy to use.  If I rebuilt my invention, I would make it so you can listen to television (TV).  If I built another invention, it would be a key that would open anything you say.  My invention is different from an iPod is that it doesn’t connect to the songs you have put on your phone.  The Radio Active Phone plays the songs on the radio.  I didn’t like the fact that the Radio Active Phone took a long time to build.  I think it is very useful and helpful.  I wish someone did it with me, but it was still fun.

  

Lego Safe (BW)

I made a Lego safe.  I liked how it worked.  I will change it so it will be bigger and all one color or a pattern.  On the computer, I saw Lego safes, but all of them had combination locks and were made with rare pieces.  I decided to make a simple and easy-to-make Lego safe.

I was thinking of many other inventions, but I decided to make a Lego safe because I have the supplies for it.  It was hard for me to make but fun.

MiniGolf Clubs (KC, B, OS)

KC:

Me, B, and O are making a mini golf course.  You can get golf clubs in any size!  I liked it because I got my X-Box taken away and there was nothing to do.  I think it is fun because golf is often very fun.  If I rebuilt it, I would paint the club in different colors.  If I built another prototype I would get more material and add more accessories.

OS:

I made a cooking robot, but it broke and so I made mini-golf clubs.  I enjoyed making the clubs.  I think my invention is fun because if you are bored you can play golf.  If I rebuilt the prototype, I would paint it.

Dog Scratcher (IEH & A)

IEH:

I made a dog scratcher.  I liked when I took it home and tested it out on my puppy.  I didn’t like when I was rushing to make it. 

I think my invention is fun because you can lay on it.  If I rebuilt my invention, it would still be fun.  If I made another prototype I would have two back scratchers.

A:

I made a dog scratcher.  I liked it because it was cool.  I did not like using the velcro.  I think my invention is cool because it worked.  If I rebuilt the prototype, I would, and then I would make the invention and start a business.

Fertilizer Container (AA)

I made a fertilizer and container because I wanted to help gardeners, farmers, daily people, and plants all over the world.  I liked this invention because I felt like I was doing something right.  I didn’t like the card board because when it gets wet it starts falling apart.

I think my invention is important because it helps people water their plants, and their plants will grow better. 

If I built another prototype I would design it in a different way.  If I rebuilt my invention, I would keep it but use a different material.  

Condapoo (MC & REH)

MC:

R and I made Condapoo.  I liked putting duct tape on it.  I enjoyed putting the conditioner and shampoo in the bottle.  I didn’t like finding the bottle.

I think my invention is important because you take shorter showers and it is bad to waste water.  If I rebuilt it, I would put different duct tape on it.

If I built another prototype, I would make a piggy bank.  When you put money in it, you could use it to wash your hands so you don’t have to go to the bathroom after touching the money.

REH:

I made a couple of bottles of Condapoo.  I liked putting duct tape on the Condapoo.  I did not like mixing the bottles.

I think my invention is important because it makes it easier to wash your hair.  If I rebuilt the prototype I would make it in a different duct tape design.

Lego Truck (A)

I made a Lego truck that you can transform.  I liked that it can transform.  I did not like the fact that it did not have a motor.  I would have liked to make it into a remote controlled car.  I don’t think my invention is important because it is just made of Legos.

If I rebuilt it, I would put a motor in the truck.  If I built another prototype, I would sell it.

Prototypes and Statements of Purpose

Our students have prepared prototypes of their inventions.  They have also discussed the purpose of their inventions.  

We're posting photos of the prototypes that were in class as of May 10th.  More pictures will follow.

B & M's "B & M's Fertilizer"

Purpose: 

We really like helping in the garden.  Our invention will help plants grow faster.  It will also attract bees, which should allow the plants to pollenate faster.  We want the fertilizer to smell good.  Making the fertilizer smell good is very tough.  We are also trying to make it a liquid, so it will be easier to use.  We are experimenting with coffee grounds and banana peels.  We have a special top, which should allow you to sprinkle the fertilizer with it.  We have two versions.  The garden version looks like a ketchup bottle.  The farmer’s version is larger.  

A's "A's Burgers"

Purpose: 

I like burgers.  I want to be able to make really healthy burgers because there really are no healthy burger places in town.  I would also like to have a place that I can own.  The prototype shows the lettering for the logo of my restaurant, which took a long time to make.

M's Glove Jacket

Purpose: 

On cold days, if you have a regular jacket you might forget your gloves.  With the Glove Jacket you don’t have to remember your gloves because they will be attached to the jacket.  I also invented a sports jacket with baseball gloves.

  

J's Model Mickey Mouse

Purpose: 

My invention is a model of Mickey Mouse.  It can be a friend for kids to play with.  The gloves are made to look like Mickey’s gloves.  

K & H's Cutie Fruitie

Purpose: 

The Cutie Fruitie is a duct-taped scented and waterproof digital watch.  The purpose is to allow you to go swimming with your watch.  You can see the time when you are swimming.  After you swim, it will keep its scent and will smell nice when you get out of the pool.  Also, kids love duct tape with pictures on it.  The tape has different patterns for boys and for girls.  For the boys, we have skulls.  Girls have several different patterns.  We may also have other choices.  We are making duct tape wallets and a first aid kit, too.

M & Z's Food + Technology = Fun

Purpose: 

Our invention lets you charge your phone, see it, and use it while you eat.  You do not need to hold the phone since it is attached to your bowl.  You can also watch a movie on your phone while you eat.    

L's Model Horse

Purpose: 

I invented the model horse to help children learn about and like animals.  The models can include animals beyond just horses.  

L & V's Amazing Translating Dictionary

Purpose: 

We invented the Amazing Translating Dictionary so that someone can know what another person is saying in another language.  It should be extremely useful especially when traveling.  

B's Lego Safe

Purpose: 

The Lego Safe will keep things safe and locked up.  It has a piece like a key, which connects to gears that connect to the door and open and close the safe.  A Lego piece will work as the key.  I build the prototype myself and it is not a part of a Lego kit.

O & K's Baking Robot

Purpose: 

Sometimes we can get bored and hungry.  It always seems to be “almost” lunch or “almost” dinner, and we just want to eat.  We can use the baking robot to make food for us.  It will also help my mother work in the bakery.    

O, B, & K's Miniature Golf

Purpose: 

We wanted to make something fun that we could play outside instead of playing X-Box.  Our miniature golf will not have windmills.  It will be like grown-up golf for kids.  

A & I's Dog Scratcher

Purpose: 

We thought that a dog scratcher could be very helpful because a dog will not have to roll on the floor to scratch his or her back.  When a dog rolls on the floor, the dog may shed hair and make a real mess.  Our invention is also made to be very comfortable for the dog while he or she is being scratched.

J's Toddler-Proof Book

Purpose: 

I was thinking about toddlers.  They can really make a mess and can ruin books.  I came up with the idea that special tape can help you erase the mess that a toddler might make when writing on a book, but you could still read the book.

M's Homework Pencil

Purpose: 

Sometimes people need help solving an equation and their parents cannot help them.  This pencil can!  The prototype Homework Pencil will have a calculator screen attached.  You can type in numbers and numbers will pop up.  You then push “enter” and it will solve your equation for you.  the final invention will have a computer inside the pencil.

O's Radio Active Phone

Purpose: 

The Radio Active Phone has a radio right on your phone so that you do not have to put your songs onto the phone.  My mother was trying to get music on her phone.  It seemed like it would just be easier to have a radio right on the phone.  

R & M's Condapoo

Purpose: 

The purpose of Condapoo is so that you will not have to take long showers.  Shampoo and conditioner will be together in one bottle and you can use them at the same time to speed up your shower.  It will have a nice scent so that your hair will smell good.  Right now we plan to have lemon and gardenia scents, and also tropical breeze.

Earlier prototype:

S's Hair Clip Invention

Purpose: 

I didn’t like wearing a lot of hair clips.  My hair was really messed up one day.  I invented this because it will work better for holding my hair.  

ZL's Lego Hotel

Purpose: 

I invented a Lego Hotel.  It is a model of a hotel made using Legos.  The real hotel will be really big.  That way more people will stay in it.  The real one will be made out of bricks instead of the Legos that I am using for the prototype.  

V & RJ's Math Cards

Purpose: 

We invented math vocabulary cards to help people with their math vocabulary.  Students will try to figure out the categories of the math subjects.  Questions will be one one side.  Answers will be on the back of the cards.  The cards are especially useful for little kids.  We will create fifty-two cards, which is a whole deck.

M & A's Stuffing Magic

Purpose: 

If you need stuffing, you can use Stuffing Magic to just pull some out!  You can recycle the stuffing when you are done.  Stuffing Magic is really useful in case your older brother rips off the head of your favorite stuffed animal.

Earlier prototype:

M & A's Xtreme Beauty

Purpose: 

We invented a nail polish and cleaner in one!  It will make using nail polish easy.  The nail polish is on top.  The cleaner is on the bottom with a cotton ball.