The Object Advocate 2.0

How to use:

• Assign or allow students to choose an object from a prepared list, which they will defend as the most important invention in history.
• Pair up students and send them into breakout rooms (or seat them in pairs in class). Give them 5–7 minutes to prepare their arguments. Encourage them to think creatively: Why would life fall apart without this object? What problem does it solve that no other invention can?
• After the prep time, merge two pairs together into groups of four. Each student presents their object for 2–3 minutes, trying to persuade the others that theirs is the most essential. Once all presentations are done, allow a few minutes for open discussion, challenges, and friendly debate within the group.
• Throughout the activity, support students with a board or handout of useful persuasive phrases (e.g., “You may not realize it, but…”, “What would we do without…?”, “This object may seem simple, but…”). You can also model an example first — e.g., defending the bubble wrap as a hero of modern packaging.
• Finally, regroup the whole class and ask: Which object had the strongest defence? Which argument was the most creative? Which object surprised you the most? This opens up a final reflection round where language, logic, and humour all come into play.