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Science, Society and Careers

Inventions that changed daily life and the people behind them.

Lesson 7 of 40

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Before we start

Today’s story

Science, Society and Careers

Grandma Rosa remembers a time with no air conditioning on her ranch. In July the family slept on the porch. A big fan helped a little. Now a cool house is normal. That is an invention at work.

Many things we use every day came from science. Clean water systems cut sickness. Refrigerators keep food safe. Phones connect families. Each started as a question. A person asked, how can I fix this. Then they tested, and tested again.

Behind every invention are people with jobs. Nurses, engineers, welders, farmers and weather forecasters all use science. Some jobs need school. Some need training on the job. Here are the steps.

See it

Five steps. Every time.

    Hands on

    Then and Now

    20 minutes · Do this with a grown-up nearby

    You need

    • Notebook
    • A parent or grandparent
    • Pencil
    • Optional old photos

    Do this

    1. Ask an older person how a daily task was done when they were young.
    2. Write down how they did it.
    3. Write how it is done now.
    4. Name the invention that made the change.
    5. Ask what the new way made better.
    6. Ask what it made harder.
    7. Draw both ways.
    Write or draw: A two-column chart. Then and Now. Add one line about the science idea.

    Watch for: Notice that some changes helped in surprising ways. Notice some costs, too.

    Safety: Do not use or test any real hot, sharp or electric thing during this interview.

    Same every time

    Three rules

    Rule 1Inventions start with problems.

    Someone wanted something better.

    Rule 2Most inventions help and cost something.

    Think of both sides.

    Rule 3Many jobs use science.

    You do not need a lab coat.

    Grandpa Fenn’s notebook

    Say it like a scientist

    invention
    A new tool or idea that someone made.
    engineer
    A person who designs and builds things that solve problems.
    career
    A job a person does for many years.
    society
    All the people who live and work together.

    Poppy’s quiz

    Six questions

    Tap an answer. Green means right. You will see why.

    Talk about it

    Say it out loud

    • How do you know an invention changed daily life?
    • Which job near your home uses science? What does the worker do?
    Did you know

    In the 1930s most Texas farms still had no electric power. Rural lines spread across the state over the next decades.

    Someone who does this

    A nurse uses science every day to care for patients.

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