Sometimes inventing things is not necessarily about coming up with a completely new idea.
It can also be about improving or adapting an existing design.
Fran Scott speaks to young inventors of a teacup-style bathroom plug and a shark-skin swimsuit about how they developed their ideas.
This clip is from the series You Too Can Be an Absolute Genius.
Teacher Notes
Students could be given a challenge which incorporates the idea of improving an existing product.
Pictures of various different objects and animals could be drawn onto cards and mixed together into a deck.
The cards could be placed face down and students could take it in turn to choose two at random.
They could then create a new idea for a product which incorporates both of the images shown on the cards. For example, ‘a wheelbarrow’ and ‘a brush’ may be picked, so the invention could be ‘a wheelbarrow which brushes leaves as you push it’.
Challenge students to think of their own inventions which build on an existing idea, and draw up plans.
They could undertake ‘market research’ by pitching their idea to other students, explaining why it would be useful and revising their ideas accordingly.
Curriculum Notes
This clip is suitable for teaching Design & Technology at KS2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 2nd level in Scotland.
More from You Too Can Be an Absolute Genius:
Developing ideas for inventions. video
Fran interviews inventors about the importance of producing prototypes and developing their designs.
Inspiration for inventions. video
Fran meets the young inventors of two products that have helped solved common everyday problems.
Testing inventions. video
Fran meets inventor Yusuf Muhammad who discusses the importance of a trial with real people to find any flaws in the prototype.
The importance of persistence when inventing. video
Fran meets inventor Dan Watson and looks at the importance being persistent with your invention and not giving up.
What is an inventor like? video
Fran and the inventors she meets describe what they think of when they hear the word 'inventor'.
What makes a good inventor? video
Fran looks at what makes a good inventor. She meets Sam and Benjamin, who show her one of their inventions.
