Can You Help Peggy Control Her Hair?

A WebQuest for 5th Grade (Science / Investigative Process)

Designed by
Mr. John Corcoran
johnthre@worldnet.att.net

 Put some interesting graphic representing the content here

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

Poor Peggy!! She tries and tries to control her hair but no matter what she does it always looks the same--terrible!  She really needs some scientific help!

Your job is to create something totally new, an invention, to help Peggy control her very unruly hair.  Your invention should be developed using the scientific process. It could be mechanical, chemical, or a combination of both but must be realistic enough to be manufactured.  Your final product must be explained in detail, with an illustration explaining each component.  You must also supply an itemized estimated cost if your invention went into production today. In fact, you'll love your invention so much, you'll complete an application for a patent.  You will also write a persuasive letter address to Peggy, using your school address, trying to convince her to try your invention.  As an added incentive, you will enclose a prepared  newspaper or magazine advertisement for Peggy to review. 
 
 
 

1.  First you'll be assigned to a team of 3 students.
You should review the parts of the scientific process:
  A. Question - Can We Create An Invention To Help Peggy With Her Unruly Hair ?
  B. Research inventions and related topics that may give you an idea how something could be created.
  C. Hypothesis one or more ( maximum three) ideas that may work.
  D. Make a proposed list of materials. ( Keep in mind this list will change )
  E. Decide each team member's responsibilities. You should " chunk " your project into a time frame every member is comfortable with.
  F.  Experiment with your idea(s). Remember to test your variables carefully. Repeat investigations as needed. 
 G.  State the results of your investigation in an organized format. You may want to make a table or graph to report your data. ( Remember, you don't analyze your data now. )
  H.  After studying your results, you will want to analysis your data and make concluding comments. Think carefully here!  If your results are not conclusive, you will want to retest.  If your results appear to be conclusive, you may want to retest your results in a controlled experiment.

2.  Once you successfully developed a product, you should compose a summary paragraph, explaining your invention. You should try to itemize the cost per unit if you went into production today and complete a patent application.

3. Write a persuasive letter to Peggy, explaining how wonderful your product is. Enclose a newspaper or magazine ad that illustrates how practical and useful you new product is.

Your final grade will reflect the group's effort. Your project will be evaluated as follows:
                   Project Component                                   Points Assigned

         Investigative Study ( Scientific Process )                   50 pts.
         Summary Paragraph With Itemized Cost                  15 pts. 
         Patent Application                                                     10 pts.
         Persuasive Letter To Peggy                                      10 pts.
         Newspaper / Magazine Ad                                        15 pts.
 
 
 

During this webquest you used your research skills and the scientific process to problem solve.  You used your math, writing composition, and art skills to present and support your ideas. You collaborated with your classmates toward a common goal.  Can you think of any other skills you used?  Can you think of another time in your life you used these skills in a less formal format, maybe solving a non-academic personal? 

If you would like more info. on inventions, ( some are funny! ) visit these sites:

      http://www.150.si.edu/150trav/remember/amerinv.html

      http://www.totallyabsurb.com/

      http://time.com/time/2001/inventions/

      http://sin.fi.edu/franklin/inventor/inventor.html

      http://inventors.about.com/

      http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/inventions.html

      http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/96/inventions/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

    http://www.google.com/imaghp

    Time Inc. Time Great Inventions, New York, 2003

    Special thanks to Ms.Sandy Lautz for her support!