All units contain teacher background information, handouts, transparency masters, and a student packet.

Each unit is designed to integrate mathematics and science with technology and take 8 to 10 days.

• Inquiry skills
• Problem-solving skills<
• The engineering design process
• Research skills via Internet/printed sources
• Writing skills
• Thinking "outside the box"
• Enhanced creativity
• An appreciation of inventors
• A historical perspective of (invnetors') struggles and achievements
• That even a good design may fail
• How to follow specific directions
• To test different materials
• The role technology plays in their lives
• The concept of systems and subsystems
• To communicate a message to a specific audience
• What makes a good design
• Designing skills
• Inventing takes much work
• Technology uses math, science, language arts, etc. to make something work as designed
• How people's wants and needs dictate what is developed and what is successful
• To identify alternatives in decision-making situations
  

• Constructed an innovated product using the design process
• Used the design process to innovate two objects
• Used problem-solving techniques to complete their invention
• Worked as part of a team
• Implemented the design process in the problem-solving of their package design
• Analyzed simple products to determine their component parts, how they work, and their ergonomic features
• Used computer technology to create and enhance output
• Produced a product from start to finish!
• Explored the entire process of invention from initial design to modeling to patent
• Gathered information from a variety of media, like books, Internet, and newspapers
• Used a variety of "soft" materials and simple tools to construct simple design models
• Created diagrams and sketches by hand and electronically to express design ideas and solutions