SUMMARY
On Monday, April 28, student inventors will gather for the finals of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. Solve for Tomorrow challenges students to “dream, develop, and build real-world solutions to enact positive social change.”
This lesson features four of the ten national finalist schools: Aurora Highlands P-8 in Colorado, Bloomington High School South in Indiana, Doral Academy of Northern Nevada and Lathrop High School in Alaska.
Students can choose one of the four schools, watch their video and complete the corresponding questions. To watch all the finalists’ videos, click here.
Aurora Highlands P-8 in Aurora, Colorado
This video features a team of student inventors from Aurora Highlands P-8 in Colorado. These students have built an “Adaptive Video Game Controller” that makes it easier for some people who have difficulty with standard game controllers.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who was this invention designed for and what need does it address?
- Why do some gamers struggle with standard video game controllers, according to these students?
- What are some of the larger difficulties faced by people with disabilities?
- How did the inventors address the problem they identified?
- How did these inventors improve their invention?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- Can you think up an idea for making video games more accessible for people with disabilities? If so, what is your idea? If you have time, sketch it out.
- Can you think of other simple inventions that might help people with disabilities have fun with sports, games or other leisure activities?
Media literacy: Why do you think this video focused more on the process of making the invention than demonstrating the invention itself?
Bloomington High School South in Bloomington, Indiana
This video features a team of student inventors from Bloomington High School South in Indiana who have developed a wearable prototype hearing aid that can be used by athletes who are hard of hearing to avoid danger by being more aware of their surroundings.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who could benefit from Storm Shield?
- What problem does Storm Shield solve?
- When could Storm Shield be helpful?
- Why did the students consult with different experts?
- How does Storm Shield work?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- Why do you think it was critical for the Storm Shield team to talk and work directly with athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing?
- What might be the team’s next step in developing or improving Storm Shield?
Media literacy: What other inventions might make sports safer for people with disabilities? If you are not sure, how do you think you could find out?
Doral Academy of Northern Nevada in Reno, Nevada
This video features a team of student inventors from Doral Academy of Northern Nevada. Students at DANN developed the “3-D-sthetic,” an affordable and accessible 3D-printed prosthetic arm that is modular and can be made much quicker than traditional prosthetics.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- How do the students use bullions to design the prosthetics?
- What material are the prosthetics made from and what is the benefit of using this material?
- Why is it cheaper for a school to purchase its own 3D printer to print prosthetics?
- How long does it usually take the students at DANN to complete one prosthetic?
- How are 3D-printed prosthetics more environmentally friendly compared to traditional prosthetics?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- Can you think of other inventions that can be created using a 3-D printer to improve accessibility for students at school?
- How do you think the student inventors at DANN might improve the “3-D-sthetic” after conducting more design research? What might be their next step?
Media literacy: Why do you think this invention was chosen as a national finalist for Solve for Tomorrow? How does the “3-D-sthetic” help enact social change?
Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, Alaska
This video features a team of student inventors from Lathrop High School in Alaska. These student inventors created an AI-guided, GPS tracking laser system that can be added to vehicles to help guide them through snowy and icy road conditions.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Why do ice and snow make roads in Alaska dangerous?
- What percentage of weather-related crashes in the U.S. involve icy or snowy pavements?
- How does “Laser Lane Lines” use GPS to help drivers navigate icy or snowy roads safely?
- Who would ideally add “Laser Lane Lines” to cars in the future?
- What is the benefit of using AI technology in this invention?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- How does “Laser Lane Lines” use every branch of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)?
- Can you think of other ways that this invention could be used?
Media literacy: Think of an issue specific to the environment in your community. Can you think of a creative invention to solve it?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Be sure to check out PBS News Hour Classroom’s Invention Education collection full of lessons and video stories featuring student inventors and their teachers.
Students and teachers interested in this video might be especially interested in learning more about assistive devices and inventing for people with disabilities with this lesson.
We also have an Invention Educator Network (no experience necessary!), which brings together teachers from various subjects and grade levels to discuss all things invention & innovation. Sign up here to learn more.
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