Inventeering: A Problem-Solving Approach to Teaching Technology

Luke Lawson is a teacher and administrator in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

It is often said that science tends to be soft in the elementary and
junior high years, with less emphasis on team work and scientific
inquiry. These two practical books address that limitation.

Take a Technowalk, intended for Grades K–8, is simply that—a walk
in the community to observe, learn, and apply various aspects of
mechanisms and energy. In this well-designed book, the authors focus on
several walks related to mechanisms (inclined planes, levers, wheels and
axles, gears and pulleys) and several related to energy (human, air and
water, elastic and spring, electric and solar, and chemical). Each
lesson is organized into four parts (before the walk, during the walk,
after the walk, evaluation and assessment), as well as individualized,
providing the teacher with a list of what has to be prepared (books,
supplies, etc.) and the best place(s) to observe these forms.
Reproducible worksheets are also included. Take a Technowalk is a
wonderful book.

Inventeering, also geared to Grades 1–8, focuses on the making and
manipulation of various technologies. It encourages students to learn as
a team and to adopt the N.I.C.E. model: Need, Ideas, Create, Evaluate. A
variety of things are covered, including circuits, sound travel,
hydraulics, melting and evaporation, and propulsion for flying devices.
The authors also explain how to set up a technology room, indicating the
types of tools and materials needed and providing descriptions of
various machines and mechanisms. Notwithstanding the book’s Grades
1–8 focus, lower-grade teachers may find the suggestions and
activities too complicated for younger children. That said, Inventeering
is a thorough, well-written, and very informative book.