Activation Activity
Scientists and Inventors
*Once you finish this Activation Activity, don’t forget to move on to the Numeracy Activation Activity
(due date: September 29, 2025)
In this activity, parents should be working alongside their child. You will do some research to learn about a scientist or inventor and write to share your understanding. Please use technology and supports as needed. Reach out to your learning consultant with any questions you may have.
Grade K-2
- Choose a book from the booklist (see list below)
- Have a family discussion about the contribution that the inventor made
- Make an image to represent the contribution
- Choose 2 questions to answer about your person (see question list)
- Include a title and your name (printed by the student)
- Parents can scribe responses to the questions as needed
Grade K-2 Booklist
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty – A curious young girl explores science and problem-solving, inspired by real scientists.
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Julia Finley Mosca – A rhyming biography of a pioneering Black female eye surgeon and inventor.
All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine by Monica Kulling – A simple, engaging biography of Elijah McCoy and his invention.
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty – A young girl learns that failure is part of the invention process, encouraging creativity.
What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada – A beautifully illustrated story about nurturing creative ideas.
==> Here is a link with other book suggestions: https://storiesbystorie.com/childrens-books-about-inventions/
Grade K-2 Questions
🧠 Understanding the Person
- Who is this person, and what are they known for?
- Where did this person live or work?
- What problem did they try to solve?
💬 Personal Reflection
- What would you invent or discover if you were a scientist or inventor?
- How do we use this invention or discovery in our daily lives?
Grade 3-5
- Choose a book from the booklist below
- Have a family discussion about the contribution that the inventor or scientist made
- Choose 4 questions (see list) to answer about your person (one question should be from the ethics category)
- Create an image in response to what you have learned
Grade 3-5 Booklist
All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine by Monica Kulling – A simple, engaging biography of Elijah McCoy and his invention.
Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy – A fun and colorful story about how bubble gum was invented.
The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow
The Boo Boos that changed the world by Barry Wittenstein – the true story about an accidental invention.
The Marvelous Thing that Came from a Spring by Gilbert Ford – the story of the slinky.
Mr. Ferris and his Wheel by Cathryn Gibbs Davis – story of the ferris wheel.
==> Here is a link with other book suggestions: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/books-about-scientists-and-inventors
Grade 3-5 Questions
🧠 Understanding the Person
- Who is this person, and what are they known for?
- What problem did they try to solve?
🛠️ About the Invention or Discovery
- What did they invent or discover?
- How does their invention or discovery work?
- How has their work helped people or changed the world?
🌍 Impact and Legacy
- What would life be like without their invention or discovery?
- How do you think their work has influenced other inventors or scientists?
🧭 Ethics and Responsibility
- How should inventors think about the impact of their work on people and the planet?
- Did this invention have any unexpected effects—good or bad?
- How can we use this invention responsibly today?
🧪 Science and Innovation in Everyday Life
- How do we use this invention or discovery in our daily lives?
- What materials or science were used to create it?
- How has this invention changed over time?
Grade 6-8
- Choose an inventor or scientist from the list below
- Have a family discussion about the contribution that the inventor or scientist made
- Choose 6 questions (see list) to answer about your person (one response should be in paragraph form, and one question should be from the ethics and responsibility category)
- Create an image in response to what you have learned
Grade 6-8 Inventors and Scientists
🛠 Technology & Communication
- Alexander Graham Bell – Invented the telephone
- Tim Berners-Lee – Invented the World Wide Web
- Ada Lovelace – Early computer programmer
- Steve Jobs – Co-founder of Apple and innovator in personal computing
- Mark Dean – Helped develop the first personal computer at IBM
🧪 Science & Chemistry
- Marie Curie – Pioneered research on radioactivity
- George Washington Carver – Agricultural scientist and inventor
- Stephanie Kwolek – Invented Kevlar (used in bulletproof vests)
- Louis Pasteur – Developed pasteurization and vaccines
🚗 Transportation & Engineering
- Elijah McCoy – Invented a lubrication system for steam engines
- The Wright Brothers – Invented and flew the first successful airplane
- Karl Benz – Invented the first gasoline-powered car
- Emily Roebling – Helped complete the Brooklyn Bridge
🧠 Everyday Life & Creativity
- Margaret E. Knight – Invented the flat-bottom paper bag machine
- Josephine Cochrane – Invented the dishwasher
- Garrett Morgan – Invented the traffic signal and gas mask
🌍 Global & Indigenous Innovators
- Yves Rossy – Jet-powered wing suit inventor (Switzerland)
- Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu – Nuclear physicist and innovator (China/USA)
- Inuit Innovators – Developed tools like the qajaq (kayak) and snow goggles
- First Nations Engineers – Designed sustainable fishing weirs and longhouses
Grade 6-8 Canadian Inventors and Scientists
🧬 Medical & Scientific Innovators
- Frederick Banting – Co-discovered insulin, saving millions of lives
- Charles Best – Worked with Banting on insulin research
- Maud Menten – Pioneering female medical researcher in biochemistry
🛰️ Technology & Engineering
- Ursula Franklin – Physicist and metallurgist who studied the social impact of technology
- Marc Garneau – First Canadian astronaut in space and engineer
- Hugh Le Caine – Invented early electronic music synthesizers
🛠️ Everyday Inventions
- George Klein – Invented the electric wheelchair and other assistive devices
- Joseph-Armand Bombardier – Invented the snowmobile
- James Gosling – Invented the Java programming language
🎥 Media & Communication
- Graeme Ferguson – Co-inventor of IMAX film technology
- Mike Lazaridis – Co-founder of BlackBerry smartphones
🧠 Creative & Curious Minds
- Sandford Fleming – Invented standard time zones
- Reginald Fessenden – Made the first voice radio broadcast
- Elijah McCoy – Invented a lubrication system for steam engines (often associated with the phrase “the real McCoy”)
Grade 6-8 Questions
🧠 Understanding the Person
- Who is this person, and what are they known for?
- What problem did they try to solve?
- What inspired them to do their work?
🛠️ About the Invention or Discovery
- What did they invent or discover?
- How does their invention or discovery work?
- How has their work helped people or changed the world?
🧠 Thinking Like an Inventor
- What skills or qualities do you think this person had?
- What challenges or obstacles did they face?
- How did they keep going when things were difficult?
🌍 Impact and Legacy
- How is this person’s work still important today?
- What would life be like without their invention or discovery?
- How do you think their work has influenced other inventors or scientists?
🧭 Ethics and Responsibility
- How should inventors think about the impact of their work on people and the planet?
- Did this invention have any unexpected effects—good or bad?
- How can we use this invention responsibly today?
🌐 Cultural and Global Context
- Where did this person live or work, and how did their culture or environment influence their ideas?
- How did their invention or discovery affect people in different parts of the world?
- What can we learn from Indigenous or traditional knowledge systems?
🧪 Science and Innovation in Everyday Life
- How do we use this invention or discovery in our daily lives?
- What materials or science were used to create it?
- How has this invention changed over time?
