TV on a Rolling Cart

How do you become a great inventor?

From Mystery Science

How do you become a great inventor?
K1st2nd3rd4th5thScience
access

Summary

In this mini-lesson, students are introduced to the surprisingly important role of “failure” in the process of developing solutions to problems. Mystery Science lessons open with a real-world question and build to a hands-on activity.

Viewer safety

All ages

Our rating is a quick teacher-to-teacher guide — preview before showing.

Teaching resources

Discussion questions

A few questions to talk through after the lesson How do you become a great inventor?:

  1. What was your first guess, and did the lesson change your thinking?
  2. What evidence or clue in the video was most convincing?
  3. Where have you seen this happen in the real world?
  4. What would you want to investigate next?

Quick work-a-long

Try it:

  • In one sentence, answer the mystery question in your own words.
  • Sketch or describe one piece of evidence from the lesson that supports your answer.