1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,000 Hello, Treehouse Inventors. 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,000 Well, we're not inventors yet. 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:11,000 If we know our problem, Mr. Judd at the Linsen Center said that a problem can have more than one solution. 4 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:14,000 But we're having trouble finding at least one. 5 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:16,000 Do you have any ideas? 6 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:18,000 Just the thing for you. It's called brainstorming. 7 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,000 But I forgot to bring my umbrella. 8 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:22,000 Oh, very funny. 9 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,000 Brainstorming is something that helps you think creatively. 10 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:27,000 Is that where we get together and toss aside ideas? 11 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:29,000 Yes, it is. But there are certain rules you have to follow. 12 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:35,000 Someone has to record the ideas, everyone needs to contribute ideas, and all ideas are accepted. 13 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:37,000 What if one of the ideas is silly? 14 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:42,000 That's all right. You're encouraged to give wild, silly, or even way-out ideas in addition to the practical ones. 15 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,000 I'll be good at brainstorming. 16 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,000 How do we start? 17 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:49,000 You already have your problem, how to make a bite more visible at night. 18 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:53,000 I printed off a brainstorming web from the Y-Files website. 19 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:54,000 It's a tool for brainstorming. 20 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:56,000 Thanks, Dr. D. 21 00:00:56,000 --> 00:01:00,000 Why don't you practice by brainstorming my problem of inertia, objects in motion remain in motion. 22 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:04,000 Set a time limit, come up with as many solutions as you possibly can. 23 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:08,000 Okay, let's sit in a circle. I'll put the timer on five minutes. 24 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:15,000 I've got the timer. 25 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:17,000 Okay, I'll be the recorder. 26 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:18,000 Okay, let's go. 27 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:20,000 I think it should be something on wheels. 28 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:23,000 How about a catapult that flings things far in the air? 29 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:24,000 Or smoke rings. 30 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:25,000 That'd be cool. 31 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:28,000 How about a paper airplane? 32 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:29,000 I'd like to use a watermelon. 33 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,000 That's a silly idea. 34 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,000 Remember now, no criticism. 35 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:34,000 Okay. 36 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:35,000 What do we do now? 37 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:38,000 Are there any solutions that are similar that can be grouped together? 38 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,000 Yeah, like catapulting a watermelon. 39 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:43,000 See, I told you a watermelon wasn't a bad idea. 40 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,000 If you don't mind a big mess. 41 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:48,000 Thanks for all the ideas. I'll let you know what I decide to do. 42 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:52,000 Remember, never judge any ideas during the brainstorming, only afterwards during the evaluation. 43 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:55,000 How do you evaluate something? 44 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:59,000 You talk to my friend Dr. Catherine Fay at NASA Langley Research Center. 45 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:01,000 That's a great idea. Thanks, Dr. D. 46 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,000 Hi, Dr. Fay. This looks really cool. 47 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:08,000 Hi, kids. Welcome to the lab. 48 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,000 What is all this stuff? 49 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:15,000 These are various inventions that Langley researchers have developed here in Hampton, Virginia. 50 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,000 Are you an inventor? 51 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:18,000 Yes, I'm an inventor. 52 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:23,000 But my job is to research solutions to problems that NASA has in aeronautics and space. 53 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:25,000 And some of these solutions turn into inventions. 54 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:29,000 If you have a creative, innovative environment, inventions will happen. 55 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,000 What are some of these inventions? 56 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:34,000 This is a colorless poly image. 57 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,000 It was invented by several Langley scientists. 58 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:42,000 And it's used as a flat panel reflector on solar rays on satellites in space. 59 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:47,000 All these things look great, but how do the researchers know if they're good ideas? 60 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:52,000 First, as a researcher or an inventor, you need to define your problem. 61 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:55,000 Then, you need to test your proposed ideas. 62 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:58,000 You collect the data and analyze it and see if it works. 63 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:01,000 If it doesn't work, then you need to reevaluate. 64 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,000 Maybe you modify it, or maybe you start with a new idea. 65 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:06,000 That's why collecting data is important? 66 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:12,000 Yes, collecting and analyzing the data helps determine if your solution meets the requirements. 67 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,000 So, what do we do with our bad ideas? 68 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,000 Do we just throw them away? 69 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,000 No, the idea might not answer this solution. 70 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:23,000 But the data collected is good, because it will help you determine other solutions. 71 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:27,000 Well, is that it? We collect the data to test our product, and we're done? 72 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:30,000 You might want to consider a few more things in the evaluation. 73 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,000 First, can I make it? And second, can I afford it? 74 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,000 Could you help us get started? 75 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:37,000 Tell me one of your ideas to solve the problem. 76 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:42,000 We thought of maybe painting our bike to solve the problem of making us more visible at night. 77 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:46,000 That's a good idea. I think you should consider what kind of paint you're going to use, 78 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:50,000 and where are you going to paint it on the bicycle, on the frame, or the tires, or both. 79 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:54,000 Then you need to decide how you're going to determine whether you're really visible at night. 80 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:56,000 I think we need to go and have a brainstorming session. 81 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:57,000 Yeah. 82 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,000 After your brainstorming session, send me an email, 83 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:04,000 and I can put you in touch with researchers that develop reflective materials. 84 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:06,000 Thanks. I'll keep in touch. Bye, Dr. Fay. 85 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:07,000 Bye. 86 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:08,000 Bye.