Lesson Plan: 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

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify at least 5 major inventions or innovations since 2012.
   
   

2. Explain how these inventions have impacted society, technology, or daily life.
   
   

3. Work collaboratively to analyze and present on one selected invention.
   
   

4. Practice critical thinking by predicting possible future innovations.
   
   

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.
  
  

Materials

• Projector or smartboard
  
  

• Chart paper/markers or Google Slides/Canva (for group presentations)
  
  

• Handouts with brief invention summaries (teacher-prepared)
  
  

• Access to internet (if possible, for quick research)
  
  

Notable Inventions & Innovations Since 2012 (examples for lesson)

1. CRISPR Gene Editing (2012) – breakthrough in medical science.
   
   

2. Reusable Rockets (SpaceX Falcon 9, 2015) – lowered cost of spaceflight.
   
   

3. 3D-Printed Organs & Prosthetics – advances in healthcare and customization.
   
   

4. Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT & AI tools, 2018–present) – changing education, work, creativity.
   
   

5. Self-Driving Cars (Waymo, Tesla advances, 2010s–present) – new transportation ideas.
   
   

6. Virtual & Augmented Reality (Oculus Rift, 2016; AR apps) – entertainment and training.
   
   

7. Foldable Smartphones (Samsung Galaxy Fold, 2019) – design innovations.
   
   

8. COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech & Moderna, 2020) – medical breakthrough.
   
   

9. James Webb Space Telescope (launched 2021, operational 2022) – space exploration.
   
   

10. Fusion Power Breakthroughs (2022, 2023) – progress toward clean energy.
    
    

Lesson Procedure

1. Hook (5–10 min)

• Show students a collage of modern inventions (self-driving car, VR headset, rocket landing, CRISPR image).
  
  

• Ask: “Which of these do you think is the most important? Why?”
  
  

2. Mini-Lecture/Overview (10–15 min)

• Present short descriptions of 5–6 key inventions since 2012 (using slides or handouts).
  
  

• Highlight what problem they solve and how they affect daily life.
  
  

• Example: Reusable rockets make space travel cheaper → could help us build moon bases or go to Mars.
  
  

3. Group Activity – “Innovation Investigators” (20–25 min)

• Divide students into groups of 3–4.
  
  

• Each group selects (or is assigned) one invention.
  
  

• Task: Create a short poster or slide answering:
  
  

  1. What is this invention/innovation?
     
     

  2. Who created it and when?
     
     

  3. What problem does it solve?
     
     

  4. How does it impact our lives?
     
     

  5. What might come next in this field?
     
     

4. Presentations (10–15 min)

• Groups present their findings briefly (2–3 min each).
  
  

• Teacher facilitates discussion and connections between different inventions.
  
  

5. Reflection & Future Thinking (5–10 min)

• Ask students: “What invention do you think will change the world in the next 10 years?”
  
  

• Students write a short reflection (3–5 sentences).
  
  

Assessment

• Group poster/slide presentation (creativity, accuracy, clarity).
  
  

• Reflection writing (understanding of impact + future thinking).
  
  

• Class participation in discussion.
  
  

Extensions

• Students design their own “future invention” and make a quick sketch with a short description.
  
  

• Compare these modern inventions to famous ones from history (light bulb, airplane, internet).
  
  

• Debate: “Which invention since 2012 is the most important to humanity?”