| Problem Solving, inventiveness, higher-order thinking skills: these are all skills hat we would like to see more of in our students. But more often than not, children believe that these skills exist only in the realm of talented, highly skilled professionals. Wonder Wits will make them think otherwise.
In the book What's Next?, Sophie and Luke are testing 'thinking caps' for the inventors at Future Industries when they're interrupted by a special delivery. The delivery is a set of wallet smart cards, and a touch on their tiny screens connects them to Dr Seevers, the head inventor. He has an invitation for the children to spend the night at the Tomorrow Lab and has sent a transportation pod (a robot car) to pick them up.
At Future Industries Sophie and Luke meet Ms Fullbright. They learn that she is a 'futurist' (a person who tries to predict what the future will be like by looking at what is going on in the world today) and they experience an invention based on her predictions: springbound joggers. She takes them on a tour of the Great Visionary Hall where they see ideas such as robots, floating cities and weather machines inspired by film-makers, artists and science-fiction writers.
But it's the Tomorrow Lab where things get really interesting. Greeted by two holographic 'helpers' Sophie and Luke experience 'ear-ins' (langugae translators), a holojector (a lesson helper), a virtual reality trainer and smart clothes (that clean themselves). They also try out a new version of the thinking caps: thinking specs that download information directly into your brain.
In the morning the children are invited to share their own ideas for the future. These include edible night glasses that make your body glow in the dark; the EyeMaxer, which gives users own eyes long-distance sight and night vision; and the exciting Cat-Nap, which restores memories while you sleep. |
