Mrs. Novak's G/T Zone

Innovation Celebration
Texas Performance Standards Project

Grade 4

Social Studies/Science Unit

Adapted by A. Novak ã2009

Innovation Celebration is an interdisciplinary social studies and science unit that allows students to investigate the process of innovative thinking by examining the reasons that society calls for certain inventions during certain times. Innovation Celebration also leads students to practice skills in the other subject areas of English language arts and mathematics.

Description of Unit

Students will gain an understanding of the process of innovation. An innovation is something new that can be tangible (like an invention) or intangible (like an idea). Students will develop an understanding of contributions individuals have made to society and appreciation of the impact of these contributions over time. By studying and “interacting” with famous inventors, scientists, thinkers, and philosophers, students will celebrate the spirit of innovation. They will also learn scientific and historical research and development processes. Students will find that the following elements are essential to innovation: a persistent and curious individual, a need or wish for the innovation, research processes, and a creative idea.

Goals

Students will meet these goals in their explorations:

Develop the essential skills of logical thinking, creative problem solving, intellectual risk taking, and communication

Make connections across disciplines

Identify a need

Create an original idea or object that satisfies a need or addresses a problem

Investigate whether or not the innovation already exists

Test the innovation, make modifications, and draw conclusions

Keep records and document progress

Relate scientific methods to real life, including ethics

Identify criteria for an innovation and tell how the innovation meets them

Generalize about innovators and the creative process

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