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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Stephanie Kwolek

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life and work of Stephanie Kwolekbest, known for inventing the first of a family of synthetic fibers of exceptional strength and stiffness.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Sven Wingqvist

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the Swedish engineer, inventor, industrialist, and one of the founders of one of the world's leading ball- and roller bearing makers.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Thomas Alva Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
Meet the inventor of the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the long-lasting, practical electric light bulb, Thomas Edison.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Thomas Newcomen

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the life and work of the inventor who created the first practical steam engine for pumping water in 1712, the Newcomen steam engine.
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Website
Other

Lemelson Mit: Linus Torvalds

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a biography of Linus Torvalds, inventor of the Linux Computer Operating System.
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Website
National Inventors Hall of Fame

National Inventors Hall of Fame

For Students 9th - 10th
Get a taste of what inventors do by exploring exhibits at the National Inventors Hall of Fame in North Canton, OH.
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Ben Franklin's Idea

For Teachers K
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about a little-known invention made by Benjamin Franklin. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Focus on Scientists

For Students 2nd Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about different types of scientists including: an inventor, a forensic scientist, an astronomer, a primatologist, and more. A question sheet is available to help students build...
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Article
Teachnology

Teachnology: Inventors Teaching Theme

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
A number of worksheets and lessons on inventors and inventing are available here to non-subscribers. There are also many links to other sites with additional materials, including to biographies of well known inventors.
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Article
Teachnology

Teachnology: Inventors Teaching Theme

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
A number of worksheets and lessons on inventors and inventing are available here to non-subscribers. There are also many links to other sites with additional materials, including to biographies of well known inventors.
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Website
PBS

Pbs American Experience: Edison's Miracle of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explores the various challenges Edison faced upon attempting to produce electric power. It contains a historical essay, a complete list of Edison's patents, information on the AC and DC currents, recordings produced by the...
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Cyrus Mc Cormick

For Students 9th - 10th
A Virginia farmer invented a mechanical reaper, then harvested profits in the Midwest's exploding grain belt, innovating credit, service, and sales practices that became essential parts of American big business.
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Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the father of photography, his efforts and research that took him to this point. (In Spanish)
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Website
Other

Edision Birthplace Museum: Birthplace of Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical look at Thomas Edison from the museum of his birthplace. Provides information on his life and his inventions. Also gives a tour of Edison's birthplace.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Frank Hornby

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn how Frank Hornby managed to excel in toy invention based on engineering principles.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: Africans in America: Part 3: Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin

For Students 9th - 10th
History of Eli Whitney and his cotton gin. Other links to sites with information on this topic.
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Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Granville T. Woods

For Students 9th - 10th
Inventor Granville T. Woods is featured in this brief biography for his multiplex telegraph which was a useful invention for the railroad industry.
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Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Lloyd Augustus Hall

For Students 9th - 10th
Inventor Lloyd Augustus Hall is featured in this brief biography who made several contributions to the food and drug industry such as his patented method for curing meats so they would keep better.
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Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Madame C. J. Walker

For Students 9th - 10th
Inventor Madame C. J. Walker is featured in this brief biography for her invention of the Walker Hair Care System.
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Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Invention of the Week: Alexander Graham Bell

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site provides a biographical sketch of Alexander Graham Bell and his inventions. Find out about Bell's patents in addition to the telephone.
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Website
Other

Engineer Girl: Competitions and Contests

For Students 9th - 10th
Test out your engineer skills. Here you can find information about the Engineer Girl essay contest and competitions hosted by other organizations.
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Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Osu History Teaching Institute: Alexander Graham Bell Primary Source Activity

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders will critically examine primary sources to gain a better understanding of Alexander Graham Bell and the impact of his inventions.
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Handout
Computer History Museum

Computer History Museum: Charles Babbage

For Students 9th - 10th
Considered by some to be the "father of the computer", Charles Babbage was a 'gentleman scientist'. Learn interesting facts about his personal life and his career.
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Website
Contemplator

My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free Hopkinson

For Students 9th - 10th
Site includes Lyrics and the story behind the man who wrote the song, Francis Hopkinson. It also contains a midi download of the song.