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- Pen - Inventing a New Kind of Pencil
- So you want to do some inventing? Well then, ask a student in your class to volunteer showing a pencil to the class that needs improving? For example, a pencil like this:
Then ask the following question:
What's wrong with this pencil?
Here are some typical replies:
small
ugly
no eraser
needs sharpening
made out of wood
can't see inside and how it works
can't write on chalkboard
not made of steel
goes down too fast
lead always breaks
can't eat it
easy to lose
not interesting
not decorated
too skinny
too fat
Don't forget to say some of those encouraging words. And remember, be non-judgmental, do not allow any criticism, and quickly jot the ideas on the board. Then ask "How can we improve this pencil?" What new features can we add to make it more useful. Here are some more ideas.
Kids Inventions!
put an eraser on
make the eraser bigger
change the color
make it longer
get a new one
make it fatter
make it skinnier
After getting half a dozen or so more idea, I dig into my box of pencils and pull out one to fix one of the above mentioned problems. Usually someone notices the lack of an eraser, so I like to show a pencil that has two erasers on the end.
Invariably someone blurts out that it looks like a hammer. Yes, perhaps you might find one like this in your doctor's office! Then I go around the room testing some student's knee reflex, and imitate writing down on a clipboard. "Yup, your reflexes are fine!"
hammer
doctor's hammer
screw driver
cork screw
can opener
Again, I look into my box of pencils, and find another one to fix to either the same problem, or a different one. For example, I show how to add an eraser, using those arrowhead shaped erasers. I also have a pencil I made with a sharpenable eraser on the end that I like to show. I pass these various examples around.
At this point, I may point out the pencil/pen attached to my shirt. It has a small string attached to it, and a small clip on the end.
I show this to the class, and describe how it was made. I drilled a hole on one end into which I screwed a small eyescrew, used for example to hang a picture up. A string is threaded through and on the other end is attached a clip retrieved from an old handbag. In my pen example, I even drilled a hole in the cap, so I don't lose the cap. I demonstrate its utility by doing some imaginary signing of a room pass, and forgetting to put my pen away, and when I walk away, the pen follows me. My students and most adults seem to be fascinated by this invention.
Maybe even this pen can be marketed today! The only pen I found with similar capabilities, purchased at my local drugstore, has the string attached only to the cap. You can still lose the pen, so my invention is an improvement.
Usually, the students are clamoring to see more of what is in my box of pencils, and so show them some of these:
Shell pencil
magnifier pencil
Invariably, they ask me how these are made. For example, the lens for this pencil was retrieved from a broken camera that someone gave me. He dropped it into the ocean, and it could not be fixed. So I've made use of the various parts. One lens is in this pencil, another lens in front of the photocell is in front on another invention of mine, a light sensor for the blind. Etc.
One of my first inventions!
I invented this in 7th grade. It is not a pencil, but a "minimalist" pen. It consists simply of a pen refill with a paper clip stuck in one end, which serves as the pen clip. Unfortunately my English teacher saw me fooling around with it too much, laughed at it and then took it away. I tell my students this discouraging story, how I felt, and that I would never laugh at their inventions like this teacher did.
I then ask "Could you have invented these? What ideas do you have for a new pencil. Often, the younger the student, the more creative they are, because the lack of the ability to judge, is the basis of creativity! Here are some more ideas I've gotten from my students:
mirror
lipstick
eyeliner
compact
mascara
comb
chocolate
pretzel
fruit
card case
TV
camera
typewriter
computer
calculator
Compass pencil: has compass built into the end.
prism
eyeglasses
telephone
pager
stapler
scissor
fish tank
watch
clock
animal
insect
candy
candy dispenser
flashlight
glow in the dark
lighted tip to write in the dark
emergency flasher: lets install one on our ugly pencil above:
...
chalk
dental mirror
tooth brush
floss
toothpicks
sharpener
mechanical pencil
buggah digger
tissue holder
airplane
flying pencil
more eraser
This "dumb" pencil was invented by one student
decorated with designs
triangular
square
round
hexagonal
built in torch
matches on one end
match holder
cigarette lighter
musical instrument
tuning fork
spring
gyroscope
top
physics demos
fork
spoon
chopsticks
Enough ideas for you?
Well, now is the time for getting the class to do improve their critical thinking skills. For example, ask the class:
Which pencils could be invented with simple tools and easily obtained items.
Which items could be manufactured most easily?
How much can such a pencil be sold?
Does the class want to form a small business manufacturing and selling pencils, or any other items?
What kinds of activities are involved?
The process of inventing is going back and forth between the two thinking states: creative/non-judgmental versus critical/judgmental.
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Inventing a New Kind of Pencil