S.O.S: Endangered Earth

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S.O.S Endangered Earth

• Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation
• Winter 2009

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Mission of Invent Now Kids,Inc. is to provide
inventive, inquiry-based hands-on activities.

• Curriculum is science-based and aligned with
  national science standards, however other
  appropriate subject areas such as mathematics,
  social studies, art and literacy are also
  integrated.

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Serving as SOS scientists and researchers, club
members focus on different issues affecting
animal habitats each day, working to create new
inventions to solve environmental concerns.
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Session One Club members work with SOS to
counteract the problem of roving black bears.
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Members first test their sense of smell to
understand how bears often rely on that sense to
communicate, perceive fear, and to find food.
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Next they create bear-proof inventions to help
solve the problem of roving black bears.
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Automated wall with sensors
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Automatic trash can-underground, steel cover and
lining, camouflaged green with grass, String to
open it (so bears cant grab it)
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Trash can ½ above ground ½ below, made of steel
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Bear proof picnic basket, metal for protection,
interior ice packs, 3 different locks
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Club members must learn to work together as a
team.
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Session 2-Club members explore how Indiana Bats
are endangered because of humans threat to their
homes.
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Club members participate in an experiment about
sound and then create inventions to help protect
Indiana Bats
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Session 3- Club members investigate how increased
land and road development effects animal
populations.
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First they brainstorm various obstacles faced by
animals.
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Next inventions are created to help animals
safely cross busy highways.
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Inventions included underground tube, over the
highway bridge, underground tunnel, overhead
bridge
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Highway complete with safety devices!
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Session four Club members work with SOS to
create inventions that will benefit freshwater
and marine animals in the event of an oil spill.
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They begin by testing several different oil spill
clean-up methods.
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Then they create their own inventions for
cleaning up a simulated oil spill.
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A nylon packed with sorbent materials was used to
absorb the oil, while a vacuum was added to the
top of the tube to remove the oil.
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Cotton balls and nylons were used to absorb oil
and then the oil would be released into a barrel
for removal.
Foam tubes simulate boomers. Then felt, sponges,
nylon and plastic absorb the oil.
Pipe cleaners simulate boomers and are followed
by a cup with an attached strainer (nylon) to
collect the oil.
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Session five Club members are challenged to
design , sketch and build models of endangered
species exhibits for a nearby zoo
Komodo Dragon Habitat Desert like environment,
complete with heaters, rocks, ponds, observation
deck and food dispensers.
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American Crocodile Habitat Swamp with shallow
edges, resting rocks, dead trees, heaters and
feeding containers.
Panda Habitat Cave with hay to sleep on, bamboo
to eat, pond with fish, rocks for climbing, balls
for playing.
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Gorilla Habitat Vines for playing, trees for
climbing and eating, bugs!
Grey Wolf Habitat Trees, river, snow (open
top), deer and bunnies share the space.
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Following each session students practice public
speaking by presenting their inventions to the
group. Questions posed by the audience are
explained and design choices defended.
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In Conclusion

• Mission S.O.S. was a success!
• Club members evaluations indicated that they
  loved inventing and hands-on learning.
• Students met and worked with students from across
  the district.
• Collaboration and the art of making concessions
  was practiced.
• Real Life problem-solving heightened awareness of
  the world around them and the challenges that
  need to be met.