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Inventions & Innovations Since 2012
Inventions & Innovations Since 2012
Grade Level: Middle School (6–8)
Time Needed: 1–2 class periods (45–60 min each)
Subject Areas: Technology, Engineering, Social Studies, STEM Connections
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Identify at least 5 major inventions or innovations since 2012.
Explain how these inventions have impacted society, technology, or daily life.
Work collaboratively to analyze and present on one selected invention.
Practice critical thinking by predicting possible future innovations.
Key Vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
Innovation – an improvement on an existing idea, product, or method.
Invention – a completely new product, process, or technology.
Impact – the effect something has on people, society, or the environment.
Prototype – an early model or version of a product.
Notable Inventions & Innovations Since 2012
Notable Inventions & Innovations Since 2012
Space & Exploration
Space & Exploration
Reusable Rockets (2015, SpaceX Falcon 9)
Rockets that land and fly again instead of being thrown away.
Cuts cost of space travel, making moon bases and Mars missions more realistic.
James Webb Space Telescope (2021 launch, 2022 science)
Most powerful space telescope ever built.
Sees the first galaxies and searches for life-friendly planets.
🧬 Medicine & Biology
🧬 Medicine & Biology
CRISPR Gene Editing (2012)
A tool that lets scientists “cut and paste” DNA.
Used to treat diseases, improve crops, and study genetics.
mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines (2020)
New vaccine technology that trains the body to fight viruses.
Helped slow down the COVID-19 pandemic quickly.
3D-Printed Prosthetics & Organs
Customized artificial hands, arms, and even parts of organs.
Cheaper and easier to make, helping more people worldwide.
💻 Technology & AI
💻 Technology & AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools (2018–present)
Programs like ChatGPT can write, solve problems, and create images.
Used in education, business, art, and science.
Virtual & Augmented Reality (VR/AR, 2016–present)
VR headsets (like Oculus Rift) put you inside digital worlds.
AR apps add information and graphics to the real world.
Foldable Smartphones (2019)
Phones with bendable glass screens.
A new way of designing mobile devices.
⚡ Energy & Transportation
⚡ Energy & Transportation
Self-Driving Cars (2010s–present)
Cars that use sensors and AI to drive without human control.
Could change commuting, safety, and shipping.
Fusion Power Breakthroughs (2022–2023)
Scientists created more energy from fusion than it took to start it.
Brings us closer to almost unlimited clean energy.
🖨️ 3D Printing & Construction
🖨️ 3D Printing & Construction
3D Printing (2010s–present)
Machines that “print” objects layer by layer using plastic, metal, or even food.
Used for toys, tools, prototypes, and even medical implants.
Helps inventors and engineers create new designs quickly.
3D Printing in Construction (2014–present)
Giant 3D printers build houses and buildings from concrete.
Makes construction faster, cheaper, and sometimes more environmentally friendly.
Could help solve housing shortages around the world.
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