Inventions of the 1800’s

 

GOAL:

You will research an invention and determine how it changed and influenced America today.  This will be the overarching theme you will refer back to as you work on this project.

 

You will create a presentation about your invention and present it to potential investors.  Your goal is to convince these investors to contribute funds so you can start production on your product.

 

ROLES:

You will participate in all three of the following roles:

 

Researcher: After careful research of the inventions of the 1800’s, you will choose one invention to focus on for your presentation.

 

Sales Representatives: This presentation should be both informative and persuasive.  You will pitch your product to the class of investors in hopes that they will fund your product.

 

Investor: You will play the role of investor with of $10,000 to invest in a diversified portfolio chosen from the presentations you observed.

 

AUDIENCE:

  • As an audience member you must invest $10,000 in at least 4 different products.
  • Each audience member will invest as much money as they want to risk on this joint venture.
  • As a group of well educated investors the audience will demand a comprehensive presentation if they are expected to invest their money.
  • These potential investors will ask you many questions after your presentation concerning the potential benefits and possible problems with your product.  Be prepared to the answer their questions.  Carefully pre-plan what questions the investors might ask and be ready to support your product with answers.

 

GRADING GUIDELINES:

You will be graded on your individual research and your persuasive presentation which includes all the products listed on the checklist.

 

WHAT YOU WILL PRODUCE:

 

Power Point Presentation

You will create a three-part persuasive power point presentation that includes the below information.  Your power point will have at least 11 slides.  You will want to include pictures and graphics to help the audience visualize your selling points.  No animation, sound, or movies can be included in your slides.

 

Part 1 -- Background

    • Title slide that includes your name, invention, and time period dates. (1 slide)
    • What life was like before the invention (2-3 slides)
    • The need that prompted the invention (1 slide)

 

Part 2 – Invention Specifics and Selling Points

    • The invention specifics and how it works (2-3 slides)
    • The selling points -- how it is going to be an improvement to society (2-3 slides)
      • the immediate benefits
      •  how it improves life
      • Supporting visuals/graphs to show the benefits (example, time and money save)

 

At this point in the presentation you will stop and answer questions from the audience of investors.  Audience members will then decide if they want to invest in your product.

 

After the audience has invested their money, you will continue your presentation (Part 3) as a historian and discuss the impact of your invention.

 

Part 3 – Impacts of Invention

    • Analysis of positive and/or potential negative impacts of this invention on society then and now. (2-3 slides)
    • Identify if the invention evolved into a new technology. (1 slide)

 

Promotional Brochure

You will design a promotional brochure that investors can refer to while they make their final investment decisions.

  • It should entail a catchy slogan
  • Highlight key selling points
  • Include visual(s)
  • You are responsible to have 15 copies of this brochure ready to go on your presentation day.  This needs to be done on your own time.  Teachers are not responsible for copying your handouts/pamphlet.

 

CHECKLIST:

  • The Preliminary Research Worksheet
  • 25 note cards per person (at least 50 per team)
    • You will need at least 3 different types of sources of information such as books, magazines, encyclopedias, databases, or internet.  None of your sources can be Wikipedia.
  • Power Point Presentation that includes the information listed in the What You Will Produce section.
  • Promotional Brochure for investors (at least 15 copies)
  • Bibliography that includes all sources used.

 

IMPORTANT DUE DATES:

Preliminary Research Worksheet                                       Due Date:_____________

 

25 Notecards per person                                                     Due Date:_____________

 

Promotional Brochure                                                          Due Day of Presentation

 

Power Point Draft Slides                                                     Due Date:_____________

 

Graphics and Final Power Point                                         Due Date:_____________

 

Presentation Day                                                                  Date:_________________

 

LIBRARY DATES:                                                                         

You will be given two half days of library time to research your invention and one period in the computer lab to finish your power point.

 

Library Dates:__________________       Library Dates:__________________

 

Computer Lab:_________________

                                                                                               

 

PARTNER’S PHONE & EMAIL:

 

Phone:_____________________________

 

Email:______________________________