A few weeks ago, we held our third annual Fourth Grade Invention Convention. Students shared their inventions with their classmates and teachers. Today, the students participated in the Minnow Tank, our version of the TV show Shark Tank. Three community business leaders volunteered their time to provide feedback and encouragement to the participants. The inventors received ideas for improving their products, as well as suggestions for marketing and pricing.

What an opportunity for these students! As the entrepreneurs worked through the Design Process to solve a real problem, they developed twenty-first century skills, such as perseverance, creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. This was an optional activity and I am proud of these girls for going beyond expectations. Inventors received a medal for participating. Next year, we will open this project to third and fourth graders. Maybe one of them will change our world!