SUSAN MARY CASEY
Author

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Susan Casey inspires audiences with stories and images of kid and women inventors based on her books Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young Inventors (Wiley, 2005) and Women Invent! Two Centuries of Discoveries That Have Shaped Our World (Chicago Review Press, 1997). Her interest in invention was sparked when her friend's father told her how he invented Bounce fabric softener. She soon began researching how other inventions were discovered.

After writing Women Invent! Two Centuries of Discoveries That Have Shaped Our World, she visited schools, talked about women inventors, and also shared stories of girl inventors. When students wanted to know more about the inventions of both boys and girls, she began working on Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young Inventors.
Researching and writing nonfiction engages her because it allows her to constantly discover new information by interviewing people, visiting places, and reading. she visited schools, talked about women inventors, and also shared stories of girl inventors. When students wanted to know more about the inventions of both boys and girls, she began working on Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young Inventors.

Researching and writing nonfiction engages her because it allows her to constantly discover new information by interviewing people, visiting places, and reading.

As a journalist, she enjoys writing about topics ranging from outdoor activities to art, travel, construction and more. Her articles have appeared in Family Circle, Americana, USAir, Women's Sports, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, Inventors Digest and Electrical Contractor. As a speaker she has appeared at Edufest, the Houston Forum, the Montana Educator's Conference, the UCLA Women's Leadership Conference, the Los Angeles Public Library and many schools.

Published Books

Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young Inventors by Susan Casey Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: Jossey-Bass (August 24, 2005)
ISBN: 0471660868
Have you ever seen inventors on TV or in the newspaper and thought, "That could be me!" Well, it certainly could—and this book shows you how. Kids Inventing! gives you easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for turning your ideas into realities for fun, competition, and even profit.

From finding an idea and creating a working model to patenting, manufacturing, and selling your invention, you get expert guidance in all the different stages of inventing. You'll see how to keep an inventor's log, present your ideas, and work as part of a team or with a mentor. You'll meet inspiring kids just like you who designed their own award-winning inventions. And you'll see how to prepare for the various state and national invention contests held each year, as well as international competitions and science fairs.

Editorial Reviews
--NSTA Recommends Inventions solve problems in daily life, and this nifty book solves the problems of how to go about inventing. From identifying a problem in your work to thinking about how to solve it, the information is broken down into small solvable parts.

So how do you come up with a problem? Hone your observational skills and look around. Stories of inventions developed by young scientists who responded to their own needs or those of their community provide the backbone and wonder of this inspirational book.

Some ideas come through observation, some through research, and some from searching for a use for something. Next, the inventor can turn to Journaling or model making or can learn with a mentor. For those really great ideas, the book discusses patenting, designing a trademark, and manufacturing and selling the product. There are many websites, programs, competitions, and camps found in the appendices.

Students can be great inventors because life is newer to them and they take less for granted. Awareness is the first step to discovery. What a wonderful little book for showing children other children as inventors... and they can learn how to become one themselves! Teri Cosentino, 3rd-6th grade science teacher 2/28/06

From Science News With a great idea, even a kid can be an inventor, according to this book. This educational paperback claims to provide all the know-how needed to bring an idea to fruition and offers dozens of examples of kids who have already done just that. Casey, an English teacher and author, begins with advice for developing ideas for new inventions. Casey's tips include keeping an inventor's log and writing reports, making models of ideas, and participating in competitions and science fairs. For kids with solid ideas for inventions, the book describes how anyone can search for patents on similar items, apply for a patent, and register for a trademark. Each chapter ends with activities to help kids put the tips into action. Throughout the book are profiles of young people who earned scholarships, recognition, and even wealth for their inventions, including a brake for runaway shopping carts, a spill-proof bowl, and a robot that can aid rescue teams.

From Children's Lit Not only does this book tell amazing stories of successful young inventors, it explains the step-by-step process of how to invent something by one's self. The reader is asked to brainstorm possible solutions to everyday problems, since that is how most inventions start. Quotes in the margins from kids who have won competitions encourage the reader. The book is organized with a "Table of Contents" and "Appendices" for further reading and useful websites about numerous contests. Risk taking is encouraged because trial and error is necessary. Activities at the end of each chapter are intended to get the reader's feet wet in the invention process. Most helpful are explicit instructions on how and when to apply for patents and trademarks. This book would be a great preview to a Science Fair, Invention Convention, or simple exercises in problem solving. 2005, John Wiley & Sons, $14.95. Ages 7 to 16. Reviewer: Julie Schneggenburger (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-471-66086-8 Children's Literature

From Idea Finder You'll meet inspiring kids just like you who designed their own award-winning inventions. Discover how exciting it can be to rethink the world around you, solve problems, and surprise and delight others with the results. Anything's possible with Kids Inventing! The Great Idea Finder http://www.ideafinder.com/resource/books/rpr-inventors.htm    http://www.ideafinder.com/features/classact/young.htm

From Oak Park Library You can become a real inventor! This book gives you easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for turning your ideas into realities for fun, competition, and even profit. You'll meet inspiring kids just like you who designed their own award-winning inventions. Oak Park Public Library

Ninos inventando: Proyectos hechos realidad de jovenes creativos by Susan Casey (Author) Paperback: 135 pages Language: Spanish

ISBN-10: 9681868552 ISBN-13: 978-9681868550  

Esta prctica obra muestra todas las etapas del proceso de invencin, desde cmo encontrar una idea, crear un prototipo funcional hasta patentar, fabricar y vender tu invento. Ser posible aprender a llevar un diario de inventor, a exponer las ideas y trabajar en equipo o con un tutor. Con este libro, aprender a plantear un problema y hallar soluciones, experimentar creando modelos, y llevndolos a la prctica, ser una amena y divertida actividad. Incluye las ideas, consejos y 61 inventos de nios y jvenes, que con su experiencia servirn de gua para la construccin de inventos propios. Los consejos del inventor son interesantes freses y opiniones de algunos de los inventores ms importantes en el mundo. Dirigido a nios de educacin bsica y jvenes de educacin secundaria y bachillerato.

These inspiring stories of women inventors take the reader through the process of inventing�from coming up with an idea to having it manufactured and sold. 
Uses short biographies of women inventors around the world to demonstrate how inventions come about.

NOTABLE BOOK - Chicago Tribune

 Editorial Reviews
Women Invent! Top 10 Books for Girls 8-12 Women Invent: Two Centuries of Discoveries That Have Shaped Our World by Susan Casey. Curious girls may be happy to know that there have been plenty of women in history who also asked questions and found solutions. Many of the women included are not well-known -- adults will likely find themselves sneaking a peek.

Look out, Thomas Edison How do inventors develop their ideas?   How do they get patents?  Women Invent!: Two Centuries of Discoveries That Have Shaped Our World by Susan Casey answers these questions and more using short biographies of noted female inventors, which range from the quirky (Patty Brandetsas, who invented the Whirling Dart Board) to the heroic (Gertrude Elion, who developed drugs to treat childhood leukemia).  Illustrated with 20 b&w photographs and diagrams, the book concludes with “An Inventor’s Resource Guide,” which lists books, scholarships and places to visit. Publishers Weekly

“Casey’s main goal is to inspire young inventors, not to praise accomplished ones, so she has included stories about dozens of lesser-known inventions, as well as a comprehensive resource list to help would-be inventors develop and even profit from their own ideas  Los Angeles Times

Presentations

In her interactive presentations, Susan presents images and tells stories of inventors of all ages. As she tells their stories, demonstrates their inventions and explains the invention process, she  inspires the audience about inventing and non-fiction writing.

"Susan Casey is an outstanding presenter who keeps her audiences spellbound." Joan Hanson, Founder and Chair, Author Festivals of the School Districts of Long Beach, Westminster, Newport Beach and Tustin, California.

School Visits or Skype Visits

Kid Inventing
In presentations on Kids Inventing! Susan tells stories about kid inventors and demonstrates their inventions-- basketballs, crayon holders, no-spill bowls, walkie-talkies and more. Students discover that inventing, interviewing inventors and then writing about them can be fun. She points out the math, science, art and language skills used by kid inventors and engages students in a brainstorming session as she explains how to keep an inventor's log, read a trademark and patent and do an online patent search. Students leave inspired to invent and with information on invention programs and competitions.

America's Women Inventors!
Susan shares stories and images of over fifty of Americas women inventors of the past two hundred years with an emphasis on their impact on society. The inventors include: Martha Coston, inventor of signal flares used during the Civil War; Madam Walker, the first African American female millionaire; Patsy Sherman, co-inventor of Scotchgard; Bette Graham, creator of Liquid Paper; Sally Fox, developer of naturally colored cotton, and Rose Totino, inventor of Totino's frozen pizza.

Non-Fiction Writing is Fascinating and Fun
Susan is also a photojournalist. In her interactive presentations she shows images from her published work and interviews students to demonstrate interviewing techniques, making the point that non-fiction writing calls not only for book research but conversations with real people. She explains ways non-fiction writers come up with stories, how they do research and about the fun and importance of rewriting.

(Presentations can be a combination of all three topics.)

For Skype Visits: or Check out:
http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/page/Susan+Casey

"The presentation by Susan Casey was both engaging and enlightening. She inspired the inventor in us, illustrating how everyday innovations can be revolutionary. The audience thoroughly enjoyed her." Marsha Tucker, Executive Director The Houston Forum

Conference Presentations
Invention Is A Creative Activity - Susan demonstrates the connection between invention and creativity in a presentation that features inventors of all ages.

Kid Inventors
Susan celebrates the accomplishments of dozens of kid inventors who range in age from 6 to 17. She covers the basics of inventing and explains ways any kid can become involved in an invention project.

Americas Women Inventors 1715 to today
Susan presents images and shares stories of women inventors.

"Susan Casey presented a truly fascinating presentation about women inventors. I strongly recommend Susan as an engaging and mind-expanding presenter." Victoria Curtin, Director, Women's Opportunities Center, University of California, Irvine, Extension

Workshops

Libraries
Tween/Teen Inventors Workshop

Tweens and Teens have fun while learning about:

• inventing by critiquing inventions,

• brainstorming ideas for their own inventions,

• learning how to keep an inventor's log,

• identifying a trademark, and

• reading a patent (if computers are available to do a patent search).

They create a simple model of their idea for an invention and hear about kid inventors who have won national contests and sold their products to major companies. They leave saying, "Hey, I could be an inventor, too."

"The presentations Susan has given at the Los Angeles Public Library have been outstanding." Billie Connor-Dominguez, Los Angeles Public Library, Central Branch, Manager, Science, Technology and Patents Department

Teacher Workshops
Teacher Workshops: Invention as an Interdisciplinary and Creative Activity

In teacher workshops based on her books on invention, Susan involves teachers in invention activities that they can do in their classrooms and provides them with classroom ready activity worksheets for students. She demonstrates ways to use ordinary household items to prompt brainstorming sessions and how to read a patent and do an online patent search (suitable for students from grade 3 on). Teachers leave with CLASSROOM READY ACTIVITY SHEETS about the invention process: (Available for download on her website.)

Young Inventors Worksheet
Thinking of Ideas for Inventions
More Thinking of Ideas
Inventors Log
Is Your Idea an Invention?
Naming Your Invention
Fun with Patents and Patent Searching
Trademark Fun
Conducting Surveys About Your Invention
Create an Ad Campaign for Your Invention
Make a Commercial About Your Invention
Manufacturing and Selling Your Invention

"Susan offered a workshop for teachers that created excitement in having students Invention Conventions and similar problem solving activities. I would encourage educators to consider Susan Casey as a presenter or keynote speaker at their next meeting or conference." Richard M. Jones, Past President, Montana Science Teachers Association.

Contact

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