No Prep Sub Plans – Famous Inventors: Thomas Edison|STEM Design Series (4th-8th)

STEM Design Series: No Prep Sub Plans – Famous Inventors: Thomas Edison | Light Bulb Design Challenge (Grades 4–8)
Looking for an engaging, real-world STEM project that combines history, science, and innovation?
In this STEM Design Series: Research + Group Project, students explore the life and inventions of Thomas Edison and apply design thinking to improve or redesign the light bulb for modern needs. This lesson challenges students to think like inventors—solving real problems with creative, practical solutions.
What Students Will Do:
- Learn about Thomas Edison and his impact on technology
- Explore how the original incandescent light bulb worked
- Compare past and modern lighting (LED, CFL, etc.)
- Identify real-world problems with current light bulbs
- Apply STEM design thinking to create an improved version
- Draw and label a redesigned light bulb
- Develop 3 specific upgrades and a unique feature
- Present their invention in a short pitch
What’s Included:
- ✔️ Teacher Directions (clear, step-by-step and sub-friendly)
- ✔️ Student Research Page
- ✔️ Student Planning / Design Page (with sketch space)
- ✔️ Innovation Pitch Page
- ✔️ Black & White versions of all student pages (printer-friendly)
STEM Skills & Concepts Covered:
- Innovation & engineering design process
- Electricity and energy efficiency
- Problem-solving & critical thinking
- Historical impact of technology
- Creativity and design
- Communication & collaboration
Perfect For:
- Sub plans (Print & Go – no prep required!)
- STEM or science lessons
- Engineering design challenges
- Cross-curricular learning (science + history + design)
- Early finishers or enrichment
Why Teachers Love It:
- High engagement with a hands-on invention challenge
- Connects history to modern technology
- Encourages creativity while maintaining academic rigor
- Structured for independent or sub-led instruction
- Easy to implement with minimal prep

🔗 About the STEM Design Series:
The STEM Design Series: No Prep Sub Plans engages students in meaningful challenges where they research, design, and create solutions to real-world problems—building critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration in every lesson.