Overview:  This project is designed to help students see the impact of the ideas of American Inventors from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, on the American way of life.  Students will be given a list of American inventors to chose from.  They will then have to research the inventor trying to find information n the inventors contributions to America, not only their inventions but more importantly, how they changed the way America (and the world) worked.

Time Requirements:  5-6 class sessions; 5-6 lab sessions

Pre-requirements: Students should have a basic understanding of the following:
          Microsoft PowerPoint, Internet usage, Internet search techniques; MLA style of 
          citation; Primary sources.

Subject Matter: Science/Social Studies (Also Language Arts & Character Education)

Standards:
     Illinois State Standards:
          STATE GOAL 3:  Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.
               B.  Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific pur­poses and audiences.
                    3.B.2a  Generate and organize ideas using a variety of planning strategies (e.g., mapping, outlining,
                                drafting)                  
                    3.B.2b  Establish central idea, organization, elaboration and unity in relation to purpose and audience.
        STATE GOAL 5:  Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information. 
               A.  Locate, organize, and use information from various sources to answer questions, solve problems and
                    communicate ideas.
                    5.A.2a  Formulate questions and construct a basic research plan.
                    5.A.2b  Organize and integrate information from a variety of sources (e.g., books, web- sites,
                                CD/ROMs).
               B.  Analyze and evaluate information acquired from various sources.
                    5.B.2a  Determine the accuracy, currency and reliability of materials from various sources.
                    5.B.2b  Cite sources used.
               C.  Apply acquired information, concepts and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats.
                    5.C.2a  Create a variety of print and nonprint documents to communicate information for specific
                               audiences and purposes.
        STATE GOAL 13:  Understand the relationships among science, technology and society in historical and
                                      contemporary contexts.
               B.  Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology and society.
                    13.B.2b  Describe the effects on society of scientific and technological innovations.
                    13.B.2c  Identify and explain ways that science and technology influence the lives and careers of
                             people.
        STATE GOAL 16:  Understand events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois,
                                       the United States and other nations.
               A.  Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.
                    16.A.2c  Ask questions and seek answers by collecting and analyzing data from historic documents,
                             images and other literary and non-literary sources.
               E.  Understand Illinois, United States and world environmental history.
                    16.E.2b (W)  Identify individuals and their inventions (e.g., Watt/steam engine, Nobel/TNT,
                                    Edison/electric light) which influenced world environmental history.

Technology Required:
          Computers (with Internet access)
          Microsoft PowerPoint

Materials Required:
          Paper and pencils (for note taking)
          MLA citation guidelines

Resources:
          Internet: Library of Congress website: www.loc.gov
                         Search Engines: www.google.com
                                                  www.ask.com
                                                  www.ajkids.com
                                                  Other sites
          Books: Biographies/Autobiographies on American Inventors of the late 19th
                      and early 20th centuries
                     Encyclopedias (hard-cover or CD/ROM)

Assessment Tools:
        Informal: Students will be observed and their progress will be recorded using
                       the Project Checklist.  This checklist is designed to identify areas of
                       strength and needed improvement for each student, as well as allow
                       for the recording of daily achievement and observations in anecdotal
                       form.

          Formal: Completed project will be evaluated using the PowerPoint Rubric. The
                       rubric evaluates ten components of the final presentation.

                       Presentation components:

1. Organization

2. Information

3. Language Mechanics

4. Word Usage

5. Graphics

6. Individual Work and Focus

7. Research

8. Overall Presentation

9. Creativity

10. Analysis and Reflection

Examples of Student Work:  Example 1          Example 2

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