Two classes, totalling 41 junior boys were transported to the home of New Zealand's largest transport, technology and social history museum this week to learn all about inventions! The trip for the Year 0-3 boys saw them all engaging in activities to support the work they had been doing in class.

The boys had been learning that many different kinds of people create inventions. These people have invented things for many different reasons, a variety of purposes and their inventions have an impact on our lives.

While at MOTAT the boys participated in three activities. First was the MOTAT trail, where the students were able to visit many exhibits in the park and learn about the machines and their development and uses. The boys were fascinated by the old cars, printing equipment, telephones and household items.

Secondly, they were taken to the classroom where they met the educator, Melissa. The boys were taught about amazing inventions that have evolved over time with great examples of phones and cameras through their stages in development. They learned that inventions like the teabag were created by mistake, and they discussed issues of patents and prototype development.

The most exciting, and for some most challenging activity, was the Tactile Dome. This activity is for children only – no adults allowed! In small groups, the boys went into a completely darkened 28 metre passage. They had to use their senses of touch and hearing to negotiate obstacles and eventually exit out of the area. While in the Dome they could not see where they were going and had difficulty climbing stairs, sliding doors and even scrambling up a cargo net.

Despite the light rain, it was a most enjoyable and informative morning, which has motivated the boys in their own invention creations.

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