On Friday, February 11, 2022, John Kennedy Intermediate hosted its annual Magnet Invention Convention. It was a great celebration of inventions that students have been working on in STEAM and Library since December.
We broke up the presentations into three sessions so that our third-grade classes could visit the convention and we could welcome families back to John Kennedy for this innovative event. This event was well attended, with more than 115 family members coming in to explore inventions.
John Kennedy’s third-graders were inspired after reading a biography about Lonnie Johnson, a famous black inventor, and aerospace engineer. We utilized this inspiration to start exploring everyday objects that could be improved using a magnetic force to attract or repel. Then, in partners, they chose one invention to develop and make a working model. Students had to focus on solving an everyday problem and creating an invention that would help a variety of people.
First, students drew a diagram of the schematics of the invention. Next, they engineered a working model, a prototype, of their invention. Students also created Shark Tank videos using green screen technology to pitch their idea. Students put their work in a digital portfolio and shared it at our Magnet Invention Convention event.
We are so proud of the hard work and ingenuity that students engaged in to create amazing inventions. Never stop exploring and creating!