Inventors, inventions and discoveries are all part of STEM learning and development. The great inventors, engineers and scientists, along with their inventions and discoveries, have inspired and shaped our world and showcase the importance and impact STEM has on all our lives.

Iformation

How products are made

www.madehow.com

This is as wonderful and comprehensive a list of products and how they are made, including their history, as you can find. It is arranged alphabetically. US website.

Inventions 1900 to 1990

www.historylearningsite.co.uk/inventions-and-discoveries-of-the-twentieth-century/ inventions-1900-to-1990

Inventor Archive

https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/inventor-archive

No list can ever be considered exhaustive but this A–Z of inventors makes a good attempt at listing inventors from around the world and providing an overview of their main contributions.

Inventors and scientists

www.ducksters.com/biography

Select Inventors and Scientists. A good starting point.

Inventors and what they invented

www.design-technology.info/inventors

This is a list of inventors and what they invented. Select from the list to find out more. A good starting point.

Technology at home

www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/tech/index-nojs.html

Find out how technological inventions have transformed our homes. Then find out about the people behind each of the inventions and how it works.

Learning resources and activities

Inventions and innovations

www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/learning

Select Resources for the Classroom. There are a number of inventions and innovations available within this learning resource, including the Enigma Cipher Machine.

Inventors and inventions: short films

www.blackburnmuseum.org.uk/learning/short-films-for-schools

This is a series of short films by Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery aimed at KS2 pupils for the topic of Inventors and Inventions. It includes The Phonograph; The Biro; The Eggbox; The Top Hat; and Polypropylene. Intriguing.

National Inventors Hall of Fame

www.invent.org/at-home-learning-resources

In the spirit of invention, this site offers a wealth of home activities to encourage STEM activity. Although an American site, many of the activities are relevant to UK learning. The downloadable STEM guide gives one-page activities and highlights the inventor that has inspired the activity. This is an excellent model to bring STEM subjects to life and relate to those who have invented or discovered.

Thomas Edison: Victorian inventor

www.show.me.uk/editorial/1177-thomas-edison-victorian-inventor

Short exploration of the life of Thomas Edison with links to find out more.