Smithsonian on ePals

Page: test

Anonymous — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:42:00 GMT

Think! Explore! Sketch! Create! Try! Tweak! Sell! Inventing is a process. From the Eureka! moment when the light bulb goes on to the new product that hits the market, there are many steps and a lot of creativity in between. These activities will help you explore some of the steps of invention and learn more about some amazing inventors. Try them out and see if you catch the invention bug yourself!

Time To Vote!

It's up to you to select the ePals Choice Winner for the 2012 Spark!Lab Invent It contest. Take a look at the inventions and vote for the one you like best. Come back on February 4, 2013, when we announce the ePals Choice and age and challenge category winners.

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge Example Challenge 3

Anonymous — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:19:00 GMT

Find a Real-World Problem and Come Up With an Invention to Solve It.

Is there a problem all the people in your neighborhood face? Something that all your friends complain about? An issue your parents talk about at your house? How can you help solve it by inventing something new?

Check Out This Example:

Think It: My mom says that her foot really hurts after sitting at so many red lights and having to push down on the brake pedal in the car. There has to be another way to stop the car but not have to hold the pedal down or put it in park.

Explore It: Lets look at how cars work right now. We need a way to not use our feet when we stop. Would a button work? Some kind of voice-activated stop? What other ways can you make a car stop?

Sketch It: I am going to sketch a plan for a voice-operated brake. I’ll give it a shape, a placement in the car and describe how to use it and what it would do. What makes this unique?

Sell It: Tired of using your foot to brake the car? Does your foot start to cramp or give you pains when you brake all the time? Try my new Voice-Activated Stopper! Your feet will never cramp from braking again.

Main | Rules | Prizes | Winners

Get Inspired By An Invention From Last Year's Challenge

Useful Polybags

Invention Challenge 2011

Student Name: Shreya. N

Location: India

	Invention at Play Explore the playful side of invention and the inventive side of play.
	WhizzBall: Build your own puzzle! Build your own puzzle or play puzzles submitted by others.
	Rollercoaster: Inventing the Scream Machine Learn about the inventors and the physics behind the rollercoaster, from the 1800s to present day.
	iKids See what kids have invented.
	National Inventors Hall of Fame Search for your favorite inventor or invention.
	Innovative Lives Behind every invention and every innovator there’s a story.
	DIY Do challenges, share what you make, and earn Skill patches!

	Challenge 1
	Challenge 2

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge Example Challenge 1

Anonymous — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:57:00 GMT

Think About a Problem in Your School (Or One in Your ePals Friend's School) and Come Up With an Invention to Solve It.

Do your clothes get full of chalk after writing on the board? Are you always forgetting your locker code? Losing your pens and pencils? Think about the problems you face during your school day and what could be invented to help solve it.

Check Out This Example:

Think It: My friends and I love to swing, but the swing sets at my school are inadequate. We swing every recess, but we always have dirty or injured hands from the chains pinching our fingers.

Explore It: How could we protect our hands from the swing chains? Could some kind of hand protection be invented? Let’s make a protective covering that sits on top of the chains and provides a handle to hold onto. We just need to make sure it doesn’t slip down.

Sketch It: Let’s sketch a swing and show how the material (maybe felt?) could on the chains and where we would make handles out of cardboard so we could hold on when swinging.

Sell It: The Chain-o-rama let’s you swing on the playground without getting your hands dirty or cut up. Everyone will want this for their playground to make swinging more fun!

Main | Rules | Prizes | Winners

Get Inspired By An Invention From Last Year's Challenge

Massage Chair

Invention Challenge 2011

Student Name: PANKHIL. S

Location: India

	Challenge 2
	Challenge 3

	Invention at Play Explore the playful side of invention and the inventive side of play.
	WhizzBall: Build your own puzzle! Build your own puzzle or play puzzles submitted by others.
	Rollercoaster: Inventing the Scream Machine Learn about the inventors and the physics behind the rollercoaster, from the 1800s to present day.
	iKids See what kids have invented.
	National Inventors Hall of Fame Search for your favorite inventor or invention.
	Innovative Lives Behind every invention and every innovator there’s a story.
	DIY Do challenges, share what you make, and earn Skill patches!

Page: Urban Waterways

Anonymous — Wed, 08 May 2013 01:22:00 GMT

	Real-Life Lorax Has a Few Words From (and About) Trees

	Celebrating Seuss: Kid Reporter Talks To One Of the Doctor's Biggest Fans
	Horton Hears A Who: Movie and Interview

	*Happy Birthday! The Cat in the Hat* Turns 50 Years Old**

Reclaiming the Edge: Urban

Waterways & Civic Engagement

March 2nd marks the 109th birthday of Dr. Seuss. To celebrate, the United States honors him with Read Across America Day. This year, Read Across America will be on March 1st. Let's make this celebration a global one, by Reading Across the World. Take the pledge to read, and then continue the celebration with Dr. Seuss activities, articles, games, and videos.

Take our Dr. Seuss Book Quotes Quiz >>

See who has pledged globally. >>

Write a Seuss Review

Choose your favorite Dr. Seuss book and write a review.

Dr. Seuss FanFiction

Write you own story using your favorite characters from a Dr. Seuss book.

Create A Birthday Card

Send a birthday wish to Dr. Seuss by making him a card.

Lorax Quest

Help the Lorax grow a new forest of Truffula trees.

Oh The Places!

Take a journey across the USA identifying landmarks as you go.

The Sneetch Beach Relay

Play relay games on the beach with Star-belly and Plain-belly Sneetches.

Write a Seuss Review

Choose your favorite Dr. Seuss book and write a review.

Dr. Seuss FanFiction

Write you own story using your favorite characters from a Dr. Seuss book.

Create A Birthday Card

Send a birthday wish to Dr. Seuss by making him a card.

Lorax Quest

Help the Lorax grow a new forest of Truffula trees.

Oh The Places!

Take a journey across the USA identifying landmarks as you go.

The Sneetch Beach Relay

Play relay games on the beach with Star-belly and Plain-belly Sneetches.

Write a Seuss Review

Choose your favorite Dr. Seuss book and write a review.

Dr. Seuss FanFiction

Write you own story using your favorite characters from a Dr. Seuss book.

Create A Birthday Card

Send a birthday wish to Dr. Seuss by making him a card.

Lorax Quest

Help the Lorax grow a new forest of Truffula trees.

Oh The Places!

Take a journey across the USA identifying landmarks as you go.

The Sneetch Beach Relay

Play relay games on the beach with Star-belly and Plain-belly Sneetches.

Page: Group Map

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:40:00 GMT

Articles

Activities & Games

Online Field Trips

Videos

Discussions

Galleries

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge - ePals Choice Finalists

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:28:00 GMT

Congratulations to ePals Choice Winner Marlee S. from Mississippi, USA for her invention, "Solbrite: A Solar Paneled Purse LED Light".

Learn more about ePals Choice Finalists and their inventions below.


Refugee Travois: Salvation on Wheels Chase L. North Carolina, USA	BHive; an Interactive On-line Homework Help App Dagny Z. Indiana, USA	The Sand Sleeve Hannah C. New Jersey, USA	Dispensometer Nithin S. India

1mble Strip Charlotte J. California, USA	Slippers "Sunshine" Melis S. Turkey	Telyzer Utkarsh C. India	Sports Storage Device Pierre S, Léa S, Clément S, Laurie V, Sarah G, Adrien B, Romain J, Justin M, Théo L, Mathis D, Mathilde S. France

Solbrite: A Solar Panneled Purse LED Light Marlee S. Mississippi, USA	Turbo Skraper Sam S. Pennsylvania, USA	Wax Caddy Lauren A. Missouri, USA	SeeTech for Blind People Ali I. Turkey

The Up Down Desk Brian P., Carson C. Canada	iPod/iPhone Picture Phone Case Tamara S., Mackenzie M. Canada	The Better Binder Anna S., Mia B., Kloi B. Texas, USA	Multifunctional Pen Case Yuan-Shan Chang Z. Taiwan
View All Entries »

Main | Rules | Prizes | Winners

Page: Children Around The World

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:28:00 GMT

United Nations International Youth Day is celebrated on August 12th of each year. This year, marked with the slogan 'Change Our World,' Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the U.N. stated that young people "often understand better than older generations that we can transcend our religious and cultural differences in order to reach our shared goals." Here at ePals, we celebrate our students all year round. But this month, we invite you to introduce yourselves to your Global Community. A Community strengthens as its members unite. Together, let's make ePals the strongest classroom community in the world.

Cultural Self-Portrait

A portrait is an image of a person. Looking at that image is one way that we, the viewers, can learn about people from the past. A portrait can give us a lot of information about the person in the picture if we look carefully. There may be clues about the person's job, interests or place in society. Take a close-up look at a portrait of George Washington, the first president of the United States of America. Using a special spyglass tool, you'll uncover hidden layers of the painting. And you will learn fascinating facts about the subject. Get started now >>

ePals Activity: Children Around the World, A Portrait Gallery

Create It!

In Looking at a National Treasure: George Washington, you learned that a portrait can give us a lot of information about the person in the picture if we just look carefully. Now it's your turn to create a portrait, a self-portrait. What will it look like? What will you include in the image? What will it say about you, your culture and the person you are today? Give it some thought.

Do a three-minute free write describing yourself. Write whatever comes to mind. Use both descriptive words and action words. You can describe what you look like, what you like to wear, what you like to eat, what you like to do with your free time, where you come from...anything that is important to you. Don't forget to include your favorite people, places and things.
When the three minutes are up, look back over your list. Mark 3-5 of the most vivid and pertinent words and phrases. Think about how you can include, or represent, these things in your self-portrait. For example, if you marked baseball as being important to you, will you draw yourself wearing a baseball cap? Or will you represent baseball in another way in the portrait?
Refer to your marked items as you create a self-portrait that best represents you and your culture. Be creative. All types of materials and artistic styles can be used to create a self-portrait.

Share It!

Share your completed artwork by uploading it to the ePals Student Media Gallery. Include a short statement in the description box sharing your first name, country and what this self-portrait says about you, your culture or the person you are today. Include a list of your important words, or see if ePals can guess what they were.

Page: Celebrate the Arts

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:27:00 GMT

The Arts can be a forum for self-expression, communication, exploration and cultural understanding. And Arts Education can strengthen collaborative skills, problem-solving skills, develop cognitive and creative skills, teach cultural and historical perspectives and just be a lot fun! In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, ePals encourages Global Community members to explore the Arts through these online museum exhibits, student activities, and classroom lessons.

Smithsonian Online Exhibit: Superhighway Scholars

Explore artist Nam June Paiks monumental video installation Electronic Superhighway on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and then create your own collage that represents where you live.

Nam June Paik; Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii; 1995; 49-channel closed circuit video installation, neon, steel and electronic components; approx. 15 x 40 x 4 ft.; Smithsonian American Art Museum; Gift of the artist; 2002.23

Learn More

About the Artwork | About the Artist | From the Curator

Activity: Create Your Own Collage

The artist Nam June Paik created a piece of art that represented the United States. He made his own choices about what to include in each state. He picked movies, pictures, music, and speeches to create a picture of the United States. Now it is your turn!

Create It!
What makes where you live unlike any other place? If you had to represent your state, province or country in a visual way, what images might you choose? Working as a group, pick the important things you have learned and would like to show others in our global community—important people, places, events, symbols or anything you think defines where you live. You could combine things that happened a long time ago with something that happened last week! Represent those important ideas visually in the form of a collage. After the collage is completed, write a description of it and all of the visual elements you have included. Read some important tips before you get started.

Share It!
Upload your artwork to the Student Media Galleries. Be sure to write a description of it and all of the visual elements you have included.

Page: Earth Day

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:26:00 GMT

Protecting Our Planet

Although Earth Day has been celebrated around the world for over 40 years, in 2009, the United Nations recognized International Mother Earth Day. In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, ePals encourages Global Community members to get inspired and mobilized to take action to protect the environment and promote sustainability.

Page: Invention Central

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:25:00 GMT

Time To Vote!

Page: Black History

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:25:00 GMT

Celebrating Diversity

February is Black History Month in the USA and we celebrate in our Global Community by embracing diversity and tolerance worldwide. In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, ePals encourages Global Community members to learn about black history through online museum exhibits, student activities, and classroom lessons.

Page: Natural World

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:24:00 GMT

Do you know that forests are dwindling at a rapid rate, endangering the lives of all kinds of animals and plants? In fact, the United Nations declared 2011 the International Year of Forests. Protecting endangered species is one great reason to learn about the natural world.

Do you know what is the best weapon in our battle to protect the natural world? Knowledge! That may seem like too simple an answer. But, knowledge is a tool. And, by sharing your knowledge with others, kids all over the world can join together to make a big difference. The Smithsonian Institution is one of the greatest sources of knowledge in the world. With millions of artifacts and thousands of experts, the Smithsonian is all about gaining and sharing knowledge.

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge - Winners

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:56:00 GMT

And the Winners Are...

For each challenge the judges have selected a winner and runner-up in each age category. Click on the inventions below to learn more.

Challenge 1

Winner: Ages 5-8

Winner: Ages 9-11

Winner: Ages 12-13

Winner: Ages 14+

Spelling Pencil
Morgan F.
Pennsylvania, USA

The Drip Gripper: Stops Tap Leaks
Dustin P.
New Jersey, USA
*Camp Invention Winner

Sports Storage Device
Pierre S., Léa S., Clément S., Laurie V., Sarah G., Adrien B., Romain J., Justin M., Théo L., Mathis D., Mathilde S.
France

Graph Boards
Erica N.
Florida, USA

Runner-Up: Ages 5-8

Runner-Up: Ages 9-11

Runner-Up: Ages 12-13

Runner-Up: Ages 14+

Up Down Desk
Brian P., Carson C.
Canada

Handwash Splash Guard
Alisha C.
Missouri, USA

Pen Ink Re-Filler
Emi R., Lucas T., Vivek G., Jessie B.
New Jersey, USA

Vacuduster
Monimoy G.
India

Challenge 2

Winner: Ages 5-8

Winner: Ages 9-11

Winner: Ages 12-13

Winner: Ages 14+

Moving Platform
Alix D., Alexis H.
Canada

Adjustable Table
Laila E., Angela A., Mitzi C.
California, USA

Refugee Travois: Salvation on Wheels
Chase L.
North Carolina, USA
*Patent Winner

Multifunctional Pen Case
Yuan-Shan Chang
Taiwan
*Patent Winner

Runner-Up: Ages 5-8

Runner-Up: Ages 9-11

Runner-Up: Ages 12-13

Runner-Up: Ages 14+

DR. BOT Water Fountain Mask
Devyn E., Rachel S., Beatrix H., Olive P., Tola B.
New York, USA

The Tree Free Pencil
Maddie B.
Missouri, USA

Awesome Tray
Sidney Y., Daniel S., Michael L.
New York, USA

Infrared Scissors
JiaYing L., ZeHua L., JunYu T.,
YuLin L.
New York, USA

Challenge 3

Winner: Ages 5-8

TIE! Winners: Ages 9-11

Winner: Ages 12-13

Winner: Ages 14+

Turbo Skraper
Sam S.
Pennsylvania, USA
*Camp Invention Winner


The Sand Sleeve Hannah C. New Jersey, USA *Patent Winner	Dispensometer Nithin S. India

TElyzer
Utkarsh C.
India

Bhive: An Interactive On-line Homework Help App
Dagny Z.
Indiana, USA

Runner-Up: Ages 5-8

TIE! Runners-Up: Ages 9-11

Runner-Up: Ages 12-13

Runner-Up: Ages 14+

TrashPort
Emily B., Abby T.
Florida, USA


1mble Strip Charlotte J. California, USA	Slippers "Sunshine" Melis Sude S. Turkey

No Shout Gadget
Yigit T.
Turkey

Glasses with Windshield Wipers
Eray Berke A.
Turkey

View All Entries »

The judges have also picked Special Awards for achievement in certain areas.

The Young Ben Franklin Award: for the youngest inventors.

Notre Dame Academy
Ben D Quinn Elementary School

The Thomas Edison Award: for the teacher who best fosters innovation, shown by both the number of
entries and the high quality of entries.

Lindsay Bruner
The Barstow School
Kansas City, Missouri USA

The Innovative Institution Award: for the school with the highest number of classrooms entering

the contest.

Oakridge International School, Newton Campus
An International Baccalaureate (IB) School

Helping People

Helping the Planet

Judges Want It!

Super School Day

Better Home Life

Happy Pets & Outdoors

Kids i-nnovate

Main | Rules | Prizes | Winners

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:45:00 GMT

Challenge 1:

Think about a problem in your school (or one in your ePals friend's school) and come up with an invention to solve it.

Challenge 2:

Find an invention that is used in your school and tell us how you would improve upon it.

Challenge 3:

Find a real-world problem and come up with an invention to solve it.

Entry Deadline: The Entry Period is Now Over.

Questions, comments, or need help uploading your entry? Contact us.

Main | Rules | Prizes | Winners

Inventing isn't as hard as you think. It can be something as easy as creating a dance, or building something unique out of legos. Check out some of the inventions from last year's challenge... if they can do it so can you!

Senolcan
Turkey
Amazing Invention

Ashuni P.
India
Cycle Umbrella

Dahmir B.
USA
Wonder Sweeper

Haley W., Ezra T., Asia T., Joe S.
Canada
The Dog Vacuum

Benjamin M.
USA
Safety Straw

Invent It! An ePals Project
Transform your students into inventors that know how to think, explore, sketch, create, try, tweak and sell!

	Invention at Play Explore the playful side of invention and the inventive side of play.
	WhizzBall: Build your own puzzle! Build your own puzzle or play puzzles submitted by others.
	Rollercoaster: Inventing the Scream Machine Learn about the inventors and the physics behind the rollercoaster, from the 1800s to present day.
	iKids See what kids have invented.
	National Inventors Hall of Fame Search for your favorite inventor or invention.
	Innovative Lives Behind every invention and every innovator there’s a story.
	DIY Do challenges, share what you make, and earn Skill patches!

	Invention Education Materials Explore the exciting world of invention with these publications, experiments and online educational features from Lemelson Center educators.
	Invention books for your students Thousands of books have been written on the subject of invention. Here are a few to get students started on their own path of discovery!
	Read Write Think Invention Units Students conduct research, work on an invention of their own design, and share their work with peers in these three interdisciplinary units. Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3
	Inventions 1: Edison and the Light Bulb In this lesson, students learn how inventions are created to solve problems or improve the way things are done.
	Inventions 2: The Impact In this lesson, students focus on the process of inventing, particularly on what short- and long-term issues inventors have to consider before developing an invention.
	Lemelson-MIT Inventor Archive Browse inventors and inventions. See what the invention of the week is.

Connect with classrooms from more than 200 countries to do cultural exchanges and collaborative projects.

Already an ePals member? Invite your friends and colleagues to join you.

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge Winners and Prizes

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 04:57:00 GMT

Winners

Submissions to each of the 3 challenges will be broken into groups based on the students’ ages. The categories cover the following age ranges:

Category I — Ages 5-7
Category II — Ages 8-11
Category III — Ages 12-14
Category IV — Ages 15+

A winner and runner-up will be selected from each category for each of the challenges. The winners will be chosen by a judging panel comprised of Smithsonian and Lemelson Center experts. No feedback will be given on individual inventions. From the 24 winners and runners-up, 4 finalists will be selected to go head-to-head in an ePals’ Choice voting category. The finalist with the most votes after the campaigning period will be crowned the ePals’ Choice Winner.

Main | Rules | Prizes | Winners

Prizes

Special Prize! Four lucky winners will have a patent application filed in their names for their invention!

ePals’ Choice Winner

The ePals’ Choice Winner will receive a LEGO set, an ePals/Smithsonian beach ball, an ePals Earth stress ball and a patent application filed in their name for their invention (if it is determined eligible) and a scholarship to attend Camp Invention, a program of Invent Now, Inc. (only available in the US). In addition, the winner and his/her class will get to participate in a video chat with an inventor from the Lemelson Center.

Category Winners

The category winners will receive a LEGO set, an ePals/Smithsonian beach ball, an ePals Earth stress ball and the chance to have a patent application filed in their name for their invention (if it is determined eligible) and to attend Camp Invention on scholarship, a program of Invent Now, Inc. (only available in the US).

Runners Up

The category runners-up will receive a LEGO set, an ePals/Smithsonian beach ball, and an ePals Earth stress ball.

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge Rules

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 04:57:00 GMT

Main | Rules | Prizes | Winners

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge Example Challenge 2

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 04:56:00 GMT

Find an Invention That is Used in Your School and Tell Us How You Would Improve Upon It.

Is there a way to make chalkboards more useful? Could 3-ring binders be easier to use? Maybe calculators or rulers could become more efficient. Think about how things you use every day in school could be improved upon.

Check Out This Example:

Think It: My textbooks are so heavy that by the time I get to school, my back aches. My backpack pulls my shoulders backward and puts pressure on my lower back. There must be a better design that will equally distribute all this weight!

Explore It: Let’s look at a backpack filled with books. I see the how the weight is handled and the amount of force it puts on my back. Where are the problem points? How can we redesign it to change how the weight of the books affects our backs?

Sketch It: I am going to sketch a redesigned backpack. I’ll give it a new shape and put the straps in new places.

Sell It: This Stress-Free-Backpack will never make your back ache! Wearing it makes your books feel as light as a feather.

Main | Rules | Prizes | Winners

Get Inspired By An Invention From Last Year's Challenge

Cycle Umbrella

Invention Challenge 2011

Student Name: Ashuni P.

Location: India

	Invention at Play Explore the playful side of invention and the inventive side of play.
	WhizzBall: Build your own puzzle! Build your own puzzle or play puzzles submitted by others.
	Rollercoaster: Inventing the Scream Machine Learn about the inventors and the physics behind the rollercoaster, from the 1800s to present day.
	iKids See what kids have invented.
	National Inventors Hall of Fame Search for your favorite inventor or invention.
	Innovative Lives Behind every invention and every innovator there’s a story.
	DIY Do challenges, share what you make, and earn Skill patches!

	Challenge 1
	Challenge 3

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge - ePals Choice Finalists

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 04:50:00 GMT

Main | Rules | Winners and Prizes | Challenges | View All Entries

The votes are in! Due to amazingly high volume, we will announce all winners tomorrow, February 5^th. Check back then to see the winners.

Main | Rules | Prizes | Winners


Refugee Travois: Salvation on Wheels Chase L. North Carolina, USA	BHive; an Interactive On-line Homework Help App Dagny Z. Indiana, USA	The Sand Sleeve Hannah C. New Jersey, USA	Dispensometer Nithin S. India

1mble Strip Charlotte J. California, USA	Slippers "Sunshine" Melis S. Turkey	Telyzer Utkarsh C. India	Sports Storage Device Pierre S, Léa S, Clément S, Laurie V, Sarah G, Adrien B, Romain J, Justin M, Théo L, Mathis D, Mathilde S. France

Solbrite: A Solar Paneled Purse LED Light Marlee S. Mississippi, USA	Turbo Skraper Sam S. Pennsylvania, USA	Wax Caddy Lauren A. Missouri, USA	SeeTech for Blind People Ali I. Turkey

The Up Down Desk Brian P., Carson C. Canada	iPod/iPhone Picture Phone Case Tamara S., Mackenzie M. Canada	The Better Binder Anna S., Mia B., Kloi B. Texas, USA	Multifunctional Pen Case Yuanshan Claire Z. Taiwan
View All Entries »

Page: Smithsonian Topics

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:18:00 GMT

Invention

Think! Create! Tweak! Inventing is a process. From the Eureka! moment to the final product, explore the inventing process.

Natural World

Explore the natural world, from endangered species, to the Amazon rainforests, to your own backyard.

Black History

Honor diversity, tolerance and black history. Explore African-American heritage through engaging online museum exhibits.

Earth Day: Protect Our Planet

Explore Planet Earth! Dig in the soil; dive in a coral reef. Get inspired to protect the environment and promote sustainability.

Celebrate the Arts

Glimpse self-expression and cultural understanding through art. Design a culture collage; discover the healing power of art.

Children Around the World

Celebrate the world of children! Through letters, games, puzzles and art, see how children have impacted the world.

Smithsonian Topic pages are a series of activities and online exhibits for students built around a common theme. Assets from a variety of Smithsonian Museums are combined to bring a multi-disciplinary approach to the topics. Explore the vast assets of the Smithsonian Institution through these amazing online exhibits.

Special Benefits

Become Smithsonian-Certified

Earn Smithsonian Stars

Attend online events

Participate in contests

Learn More >>

Lesson plans, digitized collections,

interactives, printables and more!

Learn More >>

Page: Group Map

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:38:00 GMT

Smithsonian on ePals

Page: test

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge Example Challenge 3

Find a Real-World Problem and Come Up With an Invention to Solve It.

Check Out This Example:

Get Inspired By An Invention From Last Year's Challenge

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge Example Challenge 1

Think About a Problem in Your School (Or One in Your ePals Friend's School) and Come Up With an Invention to Solve It.

Check Out This Example:

Get Inspired By An Invention From Last Year's Challenge

Page: Urban Waterways

Page: Group Map

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge - ePals Choice Finalists

Congratulations to ePals Choice Winner Marlee S. from Mississippi, USA for her invention, "Solbrite: A Solar Paneled Purse LED Light".

Learn more about ePals Choice Finalists and their inventions below.

Page: Children Around The World

Page: Celebrate the Arts

Page: Earth Day

Page: Invention Central

Page: Black History

Page: Natural World

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge - Winners

And the Winners Are...

Challenge 1

Challenge 2

Challenge 3

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge

Challenge 1:

Think about a problem in your school (or one in your ePals friend's school) and come up with an invention to solve it.

Challenge 2:

Find an invention that is used in your school and tell us how you would improve upon it.

Challenge 3:

Find a real-world problem and come up with an invention to solve it.

Entry Deadline: The Entry Period is Now Over.

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge Winners and Prizes

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge Rules

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge Example Challenge 2

Find an Invention That is Used in Your School and Tell Us How You Would Improve Upon It.

Check Out This Example:

Get Inspired By An Invention From Last Year's Challenge

Page: Spark! Lab Invent It Challenge - ePals Choice Finalists

The votes are in! Due to amazingly high volume, we will announce all winners tomorrow, February 5th. Check back then to see the winners.

Page: Smithsonian Topics

Page: Group Map

Reading

Activities

Student Forums

Galleries

Teachers' Corner

The votes are in! Due to amazingly high volume, we will announce all winners tomorrow, February 5^th. Check back then to see the winners.