Scientists and Inventors Webquest

Scientists and inventors change the way that we see the world around us. By looking into the mysteries of the universe, they bring light into darkness, opening doors of discovery that make our lives better. Every day, we are surrounded by the inventions, research and experiments that have been done before we were born. So, in order to understand and gain an appreciation for the impact of the inventions and advancements in science that have taken place here in America, we must search for the stories that have made them famous.

In order to appreciate the inventions and discoveries of famous American scientists and inventors, you must learn what the scientists and inventors did and how their work changed the world that we live in. To help you gain this knowledge, your discovery group will:

1. Select two inventors and two scientists to research
2. Complete a "Discovery" page on each person you select
3. Share your findings with the group in a discussion format
4. Determine as a group which invention or discovery you feel has had the most impact on life in America today
5. Complete an oral presentation detailing the discovery and why you believe it is important

(STEP 1) As a group, you will select 2 American scientists and 2 American inventors from the list below:

Scientists:

• Ben Franklin
• George Washington Carver
• Thomas Jefferson
• Alexander Graham Bell
• Benjamin Banneker
• Albert Michelson

Inventors:

• Thomas Edison
• Nikola Tesla
• The Wright Brothers
• Sequoyah
• Eli Whitney
• Samuel Morse
• Robert Fulton
• Samuel Colt
• Charles Goodyear

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(STEP 2) For each of the people chosen, you will complete a "Discovery" page on a sheet of notebook or printer paper. Each "Discovery" page should include this CFS:

• Name of the scientist or inventor, date of birth and date of death
• Name of the discovery or invention that made them famous
• When the discovery took place and how the world was changed by the discovery at that time
• Other discoveries or inventions that came about due to the work of your person
• How the world today is effected by the discovery

Resources:

Science Biographies:

• http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAscience.htm
• http://www.educationalsynthesis.org/famamer/index-Scientists.html
• http://gardenofpraise.com/leaders.htm
• http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Science/Scients.htm#C

Inventor Biographies:

• http://www.american-inventor.com/
• http://www.bkfk.com/inventor/inventors.asp
• http://www.ideafinder.com/history/of_inventors.htm
• http://gardenofpraise.com/leaders.htm

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(STEP 3) Create a timeline within your group displaying the date of the discovery for each of your four chosen people.

Timeline can be created on a piece of paper or online at:  http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/timeline/

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(STEP 4) The group will present an oral report to the class on one of the four people researched.

Presentations CFS:

• Accuracy of research (correct information)
• Completeness of presentation (include all required information)
• Participation of all members in each part of the project
• Clarity of connection between the discovery and the impact on the world today

Each part of the project will be evaluated separately, with a combined point total of 100 points possible for the final project score.

Written parts:

• "Discovery" pages - (25 Points) - Each student will receive the grade for this section individually based on his or her own work. 5 points will be awarded for each section of the page that is completed accurately.
• Timeline - (25 points) - This section will be evaluated as a group grade. 5 Points will be awarded for each inventor or scientist correctly listed on the timeline, with the remaining 5 points being awarded for by creating a properly formatted timeline - title, names of the group members, first letter in the names of the people on the timeline capitalized.

Presentation parts:

• Oral presentation - (50 points) - 10 points will be awarded for each of the following categories:
  • Clarity of the presentation - "Does what is being presented make sense and follow a logical order?"
  • Group participation -  "Can all members of the group answer questions about the person chosen by the group when asked?"
  • Logical connections - "Do the conclusions drawn by the group about the impact of the discovery make sense to the rest of the class?"
  • Thoroughness - "Does the presentation cover all of the required elements?"
  • Presentation style - "Does the presentation flow well and keep the interest of the people watching and listening?"

CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the Webquest! While some parts of this quest were challenging, it is likely that you learned a few things about the way inventions and discoveries have changed our world. 

Thanks to Teachnology for the Webquest idea!

Ms. Bissett

KIPP Denver Collegiate High School

ELD & Spanish Teacher