First Grade Inventors at Work
When asked how they might make life easier for others, Harlem Academy’s first graders didn’t hesitate to dream big. Ace imagined the Ace 3000 Teleporter, a device that gets people where they need to go instantly. “Some people have emergencies, like in an ambulance,” he explained. “It’s dangerous if you take a long time.”
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THE DESIGN PROCESS
Our first graders stepped into the role of inventors, exploring how technology can improve everyday life. Based on their own experiences, students identified real problems and designed innovations that could help others. “They learn that problems are a natural part of everyday life and that they have the ability to think through challenges and create solutions,” said Ms. Ebright.
Our first graders stepped into the role of inventors, exploring how technology can improve everyday life. Based on their own experiences, students identified real problems and designed innovations that could help others. “They learn that problems are a natural part of everyday life and that they have the ability to think through challenges and create solutions,” said Ms. Ebright.
Over two weeks, students followed a structured creative process, developing ideas, sketching designs, building three-dimensional models, and finally organizing their thoughts in writing before sharing their work with the class. Ace said he drew his design “like 10 times” before getting it right. “Then I finally got it,” he said. “I was like, ‘That’s what I want, right there.’”
LITERACY MEETS STEM
The foundation of the work was a Benchmark Advance literacy unit. Students wrote about their inventions, labeled sketches, and prepared presentations. “The writing was pretty hard; it took a long time,” Ace reflected.
“This might seem like a classic STEM assignment, but students actually approached this as part of our literacy curriculum,” Ms. Ebright explained. “Writing helps students develop and communicate complex ideas, both on paper and when presenting.”
The foundation of the work was a Benchmark Advance literacy unit. Students wrote about their inventions, labeled sketches, and prepared presentations. “The writing was pretty hard; it took a long time,” Ace reflected.
“This might seem like a classic STEM assignment, but students actually approached this as part of our literacy curriculum,” Ms. Ebright explained. “Writing helps students develop and communicate complex ideas, both on paper and when presenting.”
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655 St. Nicholas Avenue
New York, NY, 10030
P (212) 348-2600
F (212) 348-3500
info@harlemacademy.org
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655 St. Nicholas Avenue
New York, NY, 10030
P (212) 348-2600
F (212) 348-3500
info@harlemacademy.org
Make a Tuition Payment
Financial and Privacy Information
Site Map
Harlem Academy is an independent school (grades K-8) that drives equity of opportunity for promising students, guiding them to thrive at the highest academic levels and one day make a mark on the world.