Free STEM + AI learning resources · Ages 9–13

Can your invention work with less information?

Before giving an invention more information, ask what job the information helps it do. A useful feature does not need to know everything about a family.

An original companion activity. About 10–15 minutes, with fictional information only.

Give the invention one job

Imagine a reminder that helps someone notice a refrigerator door left open. Write its job in one sentence. Keep it narrow: this is not a system for identifying people, checking their meals, or judging household habits.

Sort the data cards

Make six paper cards: “door open or closed,” “how long it has been open,” “person’s name,” “home address,” “recorded kitchen conversation,” and “school timetable.” These are labels, not information you should collect.

Sort the cards into “needed for our reminder,” “not needed,” and “uncertain.” For the simple switch-and-timer design, the door state and elapsed time are enough to describe its trigger. The other cards do not help that narrow rule do its job.

If a new idea seems to need more information, ask what benefit it adds and whether a less intrusive option could work. “More data” is not an explanation by itself.

Do you need to keep the information?

A reading used now does not always need to become a permanent history. Sketch a design that uses the door state and a running timer without keeping a record of the household. Then ask which information leaves the device, who can see it, and why.

This is a design exercise, not a promise about any product on sale. Check a real product’s documentation with an adult instead of assuming it works like your sketch.

Plan for wrong information

Imagine that the paper sensor says “open” when the door is closed. The design should not be treated as unquestionable. Who can dismiss the reminder? How would a person notice the mistake? Which decisions should stay with a responsible adult?

Do not change a real appliance, disconnect its power, or interrupt a network. Invent the failure on paper.

Make your case

Complete three sentences: “Our invention needs ___ to do ___.” “It does not need ___.” “When it is wrong, a person can ___.” Compare answers with someone else. A good question to ask each other is: “Could we solve the same problem with less information?”