In this lesson, students will be learning what a patent is, why it is important, and how to patent  an invention. The lesson will also  introduce students to the importance, purpose, and proper use of trademarks.

Duration:

3 days

Objectives:

• Students will be able to define the term "patent"
• Students will be able to give reasons why it is important to patent an invention
• Students will be able to identify the process of patenting an invention

• Students will be able to define "trademark"  and say why they are important.
• Students will be able to identify the proper and improper usage of trademarks.
• Students will make their own trademark for their invention.

Materials:

• The patent letter form for the students to fill out
• Paper and pencils and/or computer for word processing
• Dictionary and Thesaurus
• Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights- materials for students to read about and take notes regarding patents.
   
• Trademark samples
• Paper and art supplies

Key Vocabulary:

patent, trademark, copyrights, symbols

Procedures:

Patent

The teacher will collect resource materials pertaining to patenting inventions.  He/she will also make copies for students or have them go to the web site related to patents (see materials).  The teacher will also need to make copies of The Patent Form for students to fill out regarding their own patent.

Doing the Activity

The teacher will say the word "patent" the students will then discuss what they think the word means.  After the class has brainstormed for a bit, the teacher will then have the students look up the word in the dictionary, and write down the definition.  The students will then go to the thesaurus, and try to find related words.  The teacher will then either pass out the copies of Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights Information (see materials) or he/she will have the students go to that web site to learn how to patent an invention and why it is important.  The students will then fill out the sample patent form (teacher needs to make photocopies: see materials)

Wrapping Up

The students will then share with the class the information they have learned about patenting inventions.  The children will be taking notes during this time. The students will also share their sample patent form (the invention on this form has to be the invention they do for the Invention Club Lesson 5).

Trademark

Gather some samples of famous trademarks.  Be ready to share an example of a trademark you have made up.  Have supplies ready for students to design their own trademarks.

Session 1
 

1. Show students some examples of trademarks (i.e. the apple for Macintosh computers).  Ask students if they can identify the product that goes along with the trademark.
2. Explain to students that trademarks are words, phrases, symbols or designs that serve to identify a product.  Trademarks help in the advertisement of a product.  Trademarks should be unique and easily identifiable.
3. Trademarks are protected.  You may not use a copyrighted trademark for your own products or inventions.
4. Give students art supplies to come up with their own trademark for the invention in Lesson 5.
5. All trademarks should be ready to share by the next day.

1. Students will share their trademarks for their invention.

Have students discuss if they think trademarks are valuable or not.

Assessment:

Please see Participation section on rubric.

Students trademarks will be assessed on the basis of their creativity, appropriateness, and effort.

Home Learning:

Students are to research historical patents and choose one to present to the class.

Extension Activity:

• Work with a partner.
• Use your internet research skills and find some inventions people have invented and patented.
• Choose a favorite invention that has been patented.
• Create a poster that illustrates the process that the inventor followed to develop the invention and have it patented.

Patent Links/Trademark Links
Goofiest Patents

 Patent Search

 United States Patent and Trademark Office Kid's Page

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