Create an Inventor Alter Ego Lesson

This lesson is the first of three lessons that will have students first create an Inventor Alter Ego, then draw a mock up of their invention/innovation, and finally fill out a patent form for their invention/innovation.

The lessons are not tied to one specific subject in the Alberta Program of Studies; rather they touch on various objectives/subjects of the curriculum and are meant to be used as an introduction to specific study, or as an extension activity. Curriculum objectives in Social Studies, Science, English, and Drama are represented.

Introduction Activity

Introduce a famous inventor to the class, preferably one who students are familiar with such as Bill Gates, Alexander Graham Bell, or the Wright Brothers. Ask students to provide examples, and try to highlight the similarities of the different inventors.

You should have a list of qualities shared by inventors after discussing similarities. Back that up by asking students to look through the Inventors Profiles provided in the Student Textual Resources section and list the similarities of those inventors. Stress to students that not all inventors create something original, some of them take an existing invention, and modify or improve it (innovation) to create something new. Briefly define the term “innovation” before moving on.

Main Activity

Now that students have a good grasp of the qualities that inventors share, it is time for them to create an Inventor Alter Ego. Using the Alter Ego Bio Worksheet provided, ask students to create a character who is an inventor. Allow students to get as creative as they want with their character’s name, background info, and picture. Remind them that their character is really an Alter Ego – a secret identity, if you will. They are to do a rough copy first, and then create a finished worksheet that will be used for the following two lessons, and eventually end up on the bulletin board.