204. What Makes a Great Inventor?

from The STEM Space · host Vivify STEM

Show Summary:In this episode, Claire introduces us to the fascinating inventor and engineer, Dr. Lonnie Johnson, who is best known for creating the super soaker water gun. However, that is the least of his accomplishments. Claire and Natasha follow with a discussion on what makes a great engineer and the difference between engineers and inventors… if there is a difference! STEMist storytime, a debate on important engineering skills, and more feats of STEM in the news are in store for you, dear listeners. Tune in to hear what it is all about and don’t forget to grab the free lesson to go with the STEMist Highlight in our STEM Explorer library. ENGINEER SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Lonnie Johnson (b. 1949) is an American inventor and engineer whose curiosity started early. Growing up in Alabama, he loved taking things apart and even built a working robot in high school, winning a statewide science fair as the only Black student competing. Johnson went on to earn engineering degrees and worked for the U.S. Air Force and NASA, contributing to major missions like Galileo’s exploration of Jupiter.While experimenting at home in the 1980s, he accidentally created a powerful water stream that sparked an idea. After refining the design, he invented the Super Soaker, one of the best‑selling toys of all time. Dr. Johnson used its success to fund research in advanced batteries and clean energy through his own company. With more than 100 patents, he continues to innovate and inspire young engineers today.Links from the Show:Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 178. Getting Kids to Think71. How to Create a Relevant STEM Challenge193. Are You Manufacturing Engineers?150. Screw the Standards! Or Should We? ft. Dr. PedersenVivify STEM Blog Posts Go On a Mission to Mars!7 Activities Featuring Women in STEM HistoryWhat to Teach in STEM: A K-8 Engineering Education FrameworkVivify STEM LessonsFREE! - Featured Engineer Lesson: Dr. Lonnie JohnsonDesign a Lunar or Mars ColonyOrbital MissionSTEM Innovators lessonsWho is an Engineer or Scientist? STEM Career Game & ActivitySTEM Innovators BINGO Game: 24 Game-Changing Thinkers in STEM!Astro-Rover Space Science & Engineering Design UnitOther STEM ResourcesDr. Lonnie Johnson Official WebsiteNASA Galileo MissionBook: Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris BartonNASA ArtemisArticle: The 5 Traits of a Great EngineerIn STEM NewsBoiling Space Oceans: A study in Nature Astronomy suggests that some icy moons, including Enceladus, may have underground oceans that can begin to boil as their ice shells thin.Light Control: Scientists at NYU have developed a new way to control how crystals form by using light as a “remote control.”Thing IRL: Researchers led by roboticist Aude Billard at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology have developed a highly flexible robotic hand that can grasp multiple objects at once — and even detach to crawl around independently.Lunar Construction: Astroport Space Technologies and Venturi Astrolab have successfully tested a robotic lunar excavator designed to help build future infrastructure on the Moon.Retinal Implant: A miniature wireless retinal implant is offering renewed hope to individuals who have lost their sight due to advanced age-related macular degeneration.THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTESTHE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUPVIVIFY INSTAGRAMVIVIFY FACEBOOKVIVIFY XVIVIFY TIKTOKVIVIFY YOUTUBE

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In this episode, Claire introduces us to the fascinating inventor and engineer, Dr. Lonnie Johnson, who is best known for creating the super soaker water gun. However, that is the least of his accomplishments. Claire and Natasha follow with a discussion on what makes a great engineer and the difference between engineers and inventors… if there is a difference! STEMist storytime, a debate on important engineering skills, and more feats of STEM in the news are in store for you, dear listeners. Tune in to hear what it is all about and don’t forget to grab the free lesson to go with the STEMist Highlight in our STEM Explorer library. ENGINEER SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Lonnie Johnson (b. 1949) is an American inventor and engineer whose curiosity started early. Growing up in Alabama, he loved taking things apart and even built a working robot in high school, winning a statewide science fair as the only Black student competing. Johnson went on to earn engineering degrees and worked for the U.S. Air Force and NASA, contributing to major missions like Galileo’s exploration of Jupiter. While experimenting at home in the 1980s, he accidentally created a powerful water stream that sparked an idea. After refining the design, he invented the Super Soaker, one of the best‑selling toys of all time. Dr. Johnson used its success to fund research in advanced batteries and clean energy through his own company. With more than 100 patents, he continues to innovate and inspire young engineers today.