SCAMPER Part 3
Invention Step: Communicating
Grade Level: 3-5
Base Lesson Time: 95 minutes
Driving Question Prep Activity
How can developing a marketing plan help an inventor get Watch kid inventors on Shark Tank to help students identify
the word out about an invention? elements of a good marketing plan and pitch.
Learning Objectives Core Activity
Students Will Be Able To: Using the Marketing Plan worksheet, create a marketing plan
• Create a marketing plan for their repurposed for a repurposed SCAMPER Parts 1 and 2 item.
SCAMPERed item.
• Analyze their cost, target market and advertising Post Activity
components.
Students will create a 60 second pitch for their SCAMPERed
• Communicate the main components of their marketing
object.
plan to their peers.
Why This Matters Homeschoolers or Virtual Learners
All activities can be completed without modification, though it is
Invention skills promote critical and creative thinking.
recommended to have some partner/small group collaboration
However, layering in entrepreneurial skills can be a powerful
during the Core Activity
way to help students understand the importance of people
finding the invention and understanding how it could benefit
them. This lesson helps students come full circle on the Model i Connectors
invention process. If using The Henry Ford’s Model i Innovation Learning
Framework, the activities in this lesson connect to the following
Standards Habits and Actions: Take Risks, Be Empathetic, Implement
Common Core Math Standards:
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4 MD.A.2
Common Core ELA Standards:
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1; 4.1; 5.1
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4; 4.4; 5.4
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.6; 4.6; 5.6
Model i Connectors
Throughout this lesson, there will be opportunities to practice and develop Model i’s Habits of an Innovator and Actions
of Innovation. Listed below are the Habits and Actions that students will develop and practice for this lesson.
Developing Habits of an Innovator Practicing Actions of Innovation
Take Risks Implement
Think BIG. Embrace uncertainty. Take prototype to market, seek new
insight and re-enter the cycle.
Be Empathetic
Walk in other people’s shoes to understand
their needs.
Prep Activity
Invention Step: Communicating
Grade Level: 3-5
Prep Activity Time: 15 minutes
Learn from Other Kid Inventors
Explain to students that they are going to practice communicating with others about their inventions. An inventor might have
the best invention ever, but if no one knows about it or understands how it could help them, no one will buy it. Marketing
means to promote and/or sell your product.
Using YouTube, search for kid inventors on Shark Tank. Or you can use the link below to watch several kid inventors pitch to
the Shark Tank panel on the Rachel Ray television show. It is recommended that you select 1-2 pitches for the students to
watch.
Kids Pitch Brilliant Products to the ‘Shark Tank’ Tycoons on Rachel Ray
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaQHN_tUyFk
While watching, have students note important pitch features. Though they might not have business or marketing language, the
students can still identify important parts of the pitch. Students might also notice what was missing. After the pitch, were they
left with any big questions?
Examples of what to watch for: a clever and catchy name; a description of the invention (what does it do); a target audience;
how much it will cost to produce; a logo; how it is different than products already on the market.
Core Activity
Invention Step: Communicating
Grade Level: 3-5
Core Activity Time: 40 minutes
Sell Your Idea
After watching 1-2 Shark Tank pitches, tell students that it is their turn to market their invention. Using their SCAMPER Parts 1
and 2 activities and Marketing Plan worksheet, they will attempt to sell their idea to their classmates.
Hand out the Marketing Plan worksheet. Review the questions on the worksheet. Students should complete the worksheet
using their repurposed item from SCAMPER Parts 1 and 2.
Allow time for students to give each other feedback
Extension Activity
Students can create a visual one-page product advertisement. Students can draw or design their advertisement on a
computer. Be sure to include a logo, slogan, cost and description of the product. Don’t forget to mention who would benefit
from the product.
Adjustments for Virtual Learning
• Host whole class discussions on an online meeting.
Post Activity
Invention Step: Communicating
Grade Level: 3-5
Post Activity Time: 40 minutes
Create a Pitch
Allow approximately 20 minutes for students to use the Marketing Plan worksheet to create a 60-second pitch.
In the next 20 minutes, students can present and pitch their SCAMPERed invention to the class.
Note to Teacher
If you are looking for a lesson to support the completion of Invention Step: Communicating in the logbook, SCAMPER Part
3 can be helpful. However, Pitch Practice will be the best lesson to use.
Adjustments for Virtual Learning
• Students could create PowerPoint presentations to share with their classmates in break out rooms.
Name_________________________________________
Marketing Plan
Directions: An inventor might have the best invention ever created, but if people don’t know about it or how it would benefit
them, no one will use it. Developing a marketing plan is an important step in the invention and entrepreneur process.
Marketing means to promote or sell your product. And that’s what you will do here.
Using your repurposed SCAMPERed item from the SCAMPER Parts 1 and 2 activities, answer the questions below to build
your marketing plan.
The problem or need my invention would solve:
Questions to Think About Ideas
How did you improve upon your item?
How do you use the item now?
How much would you charge for the
item? How did you arrive at that cost?
Where would you sell this product? In
stores? On TV? Online?
Who would use your product?
Name _________________________________________
Questions to Think About Ideas
How would you advertise to them?
What would your slogan be?
(A slogan is a short and memorable
phrase used in advertising.
Dictionary.com)
Draw a logo
(A logo is a graphic representation of a
company name, trademark or product.
Dictionary.com)
