Toy Invention Project
Introduction
The last few weeks of school students will have an opportunity to showcase all they have learned throughout this school year in science. The “Toy Invention” project will have students develop a toy for an age group that they have randomly selected. Students will work in groups of three members to create an age appropriate toy that highlights scientific components and scientific performance standards that we have learned. Requirements for this project include: developing a draft of their product, conducting a safety analysis of their product, completing a science areas analysis (4 areas), launching an advertising campaign /creating a display (choices given). Final presentations will be due the 14th and 15th of May.
Students will be allotted most of the time to work during classes, but some outside effort may be required.
Students will be given time to interview team members before they officially select them and sign their contracts. I have stressed the importance of selecting team members that will enhance their existing skills and their overall performance on this last project of the year. In other words, they need to have someone who is creative, someone good in math, someone good in design and research, someone responsible for time management, etc.
A timeline of assignments and due dates follows.
Components of the Project
Toy Summary (25 points) educational toys earn 5 bonus points
DUE: May 1st
This is a summary of the project that the group will be presenting. A minimum of 2 paragraphs need to be written highlighting the research conducted and the unique features of their product. You should also be thinking about the four areas of science that you will be addressing by doing this project.
1) Make this exciting
2) Describe your toy
3) Tell what your toy does
4) Address the age group your toy was designed for
5) Highlight 4 areas of science.
Science Areas Analysis (25 points) DUE: May 1st
Students will be given worksheets to do this:
1) Describe in detail each of the science areas and how they are integrated into your toy.
2) Use specific examples and scientific language
Details, details, details….
Safety Analysis (25 points) DUE: May 6th
Students will be given a sample safety sheet to guide their work! On this
sheet they will:
1) List the safety concerns and your resolutions
2) Create sample labels
3) This should be very detailed
Advertising Campiagn Choice/ Presentation of Product (25 points)
students dressed up will earn 5 bonus points. DUE: May 14th & 15th
**Students will be given choices of how they wish to display the toy and
information pertaining to it.
1) Professional presentation
2) Information is clearly displayed and articulated well
3) Working product that meets the criteria established in your Toy Summary
4) Engaging presentation
5) Product demonstration
Toy Invention Project
Assessment
Each of the assignments will be counted as class work, lab/project, or test grades. Each student will earn a minimum of 4 grades. Students will receive guidelines, timelines and grading rubrics to guide their work. I have stressed the importance of work being turned in ON the due dates so that they will not get behind and receive low scores.
*~*~*~PLEASE see the attached Toy Project Timeline~*~*~*
Students will sign a contract with their group. I have asked that they share this information with you , the parent, and sign and date when they have done so.
XXX_Parents______
XXX__Students______
Date / Assignment / Time frame / Additional notesApril 20th / Future Cities Room Presentation / 50 minutes / Dr. Davis will conduct
April 21st - 23rd / CRCT review
April 24th / Students will interview one another, students will sign contracts and students will develop a company name / 30 minutes
April 27th / CRCT review
April 28th / Students select age groups and Brainstorm toy ideas/Summary? / 50 minutes
April 29th / 1/2 class period brainstorming ideas and 1/2 class period working on the summary and 4 science areas (Analysis worksheet) / 50 minutes / Media Center Computers
April 30th / Prepare for the Friday presentation / 50 minutes / Media Center Computers
May 1st / Toy project idea summary presentations, with the four science areas they will address and work on the advertising campaign. / 50 minutes / Media Center Computers
May 4 - 5 / Work on Safety Analysis sheet / (2) 50 minute periods / Media Center Computers
May 6th / Safety Analysis Presentation / 50 minutes
May 7th - 8th / Work on the Advertising Campaign / (2) 50 minute periods / 8th- We have the theater if we need it (9:30-4)
May 11th / Advertising Presentation / 50 minutes
May 12th - 13th / Prepare for the final presentations / (2) 50 minute periods
May 14th & May 15th / Final Presentations / (2) 50 minute periods