Design and Technology KS2: What makes a good inventor?

Fran, a scientist and inventor, shows the viewer a range of everyday inventions.

These are shown in the context of what an inventor actually does, highlighting that brilliant inventions are all around us.

Fran details the places where inventors do their inventing and the tools that they use.

Fran then meets some inspirational inventors, who are all different ages, in a bid to find out the skills required to become an inventor.

The clip focuses on the inventions of Sam and Ben, who demonstrate an ingenious outdoor invention for gardeners and a very special ‘wakey-uppy thing’!

The clip highlights how important fun and play are in creating inventions, as well as the skills you need to develop to become a good inventor: creativity, curiosity and determination.

This clip is from the series You Too Can Be an Absolute Genius.

Teacher Notes

Before watching the clip, students could write or discuss the skills they think are needed to be an inventor.

After watching the clip they could discuss whether or not they agreed with the skills described.

Students could write an advert looking for a particular inventor, describing the skills needed and why, making a link into literacy skills.

Alternatively students could look at their own skills and describe why they think they would make a good inventor.

This clip could be used within a ‘skills-based’ series of lessons where students, in small collaborative groups or pairs, could be set the challenge of finding an everyday problem which needs to be solved.

This could be within the context of the school setting, such as finding a solution to a problem in the school garden (as Sam and Ben did), or to other problems they may notice within school or home.

In the following lessons, students could be guided in an independent exploration of a range of resources which could be used to solve their problem.

Students could go through a design process using simple or more complex tools as detailed in the clip, testing and improving their product as they go along.

Curriculum Notes

This clip is suitable for teaching Design & Technology at KS2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 2nd level in Scotland.

Pink divider line

More from You Too Can Be an Absolute Genius:

Fran interviews inventors about the importance of producing prototypes and developing their designs.

Developing ideas for inventions

Fran meets the young inventors of two products that have helped solved common everyday problems.

Inspiration for inventions

Fran meets inventor Yusuf Muhammad who discusses the importance of a trial with real people to find any flaws in the prototype.

Testing inventions

Fran meets inventor Dan Watson and looks at the importance being persistent with your invention and not giving up.

The importance of persistence when inventing

Fran Scott speaks to young inventors of a teacup-style bathroom plug and a shark-skin swimsuit about how they developed their ideas.

What is an invention?

Fran and the inventors she meets describe what they think of when they hear the word 'inventor'.

What is an inventor like?