It seems like you keep falling behind with cleaning up your room. You are told you that your room must be cleaned today before you can go outside to play.

For just a moment, you wish you didn't own many of the things in your room. If that really happened, your room wouldn't be so messy and you would already be outside.

Then, you wish the things in your room had never been invented. THAT would solve your problem. Suddenly you remember your mother telling you to "be careful what you ask for because it may really happen." You get tired of worrying about your room and you fall back onto your bed. You'll get up in just a few minutes. ...in a few...

You hear a strange voice. This causes you to open your eyes and quickly get out of bed. The person says, "Hi. I am Dr. N. Vent. It sounds like you are wishing that many things in your room were never invented." You reply, "That's right. I could already be outside playing with my friends if these things weren't here to make my room so messy."

Dr. N. Vent responded, "Let's see if there is anything invented you would not care about losing." She looks around your room. "I think we can get rid of your video game system." Dr. N. Vent snaps her fingers and the system disappears. She continues picking other items and makes them disappear, too. Your TV is next. Poof! It's gone! Toys - light bulbs - a camera - CD player - CDs - all disappear.

You tell Dr. N. Vent to stop making your stuff disappear. Dr. N. Vent does stop and turns to look at you.

"Perhaps you need to understand how to become an inventor so you will better appreciate what you own," she says. She points her finger at your computer. "Don't worry," she says. "I need it to teach you a lesson - well, a GOOD lesson this time."

The computer monitor brightens and you read words on its screen. The words are BE A PROBLEM SOLVER. A voice from the computer states, "Problems need to be solved. Inventions help us by solving problems."

In 1903, Mary Anderson noticed drivers of streetcars had to stop their cars during rain showers to wipe the front windows. She invented windshield wipers to solve the problem she saw with streetcars.

The screen changes to read TRY, TRY AGAIN. You hear "Don't give up if your first invention fails. Use trial and error to make it better. Never give up!"

Thomas Edison is known for inventing the light bulb. Actually, he was able to improve a light bulb invented by Lewis Latimer. Edison was willing to conduct many trials to get the light bulb to work well enough to receive a patent.

Another screen change happens and reads BE CREATIVE. The computer states, "Creative ideas let you see things around you and invent something that helps everyone - just in different ways."

Benjamin Franklin needed a way to measure the distance carriages traveled while delivering mail. He created the first odometer to keep track of the mileage.

Next, you read EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. The computer says, "You may never reach your goal with your invention. You may get an unexpected result that is even better than what you thought would really happen."

In 1936, Teflon¿ was discovered by accident when Roy Plunkett was experimenting with Freon¿, a gas used to keep things cool. Teflon¿ is the material in a pan that prevents food from sticking to the pan.

The computer then states, "One last screen." You read THANK OTHER INVENTORS. Your computer tells you that "most new inventions are made from other inventions. It is OK to be inspired by the past."

The monitor powers down and turns off. You ask Dr. N. Vent, "What chance do I have as an inventor? I'm too young!" Dr. N. Vent smiles and gives you a list of young people and their inventions.

Austin Meggitt - 12 - Ohio - Developed a way to safely carry baseball equipment on a bicycle.

Lisa Wright - 15 - Ohio - Invented a candle that automatically stops burning.

Jeannie Low - 5 - Texas - Developed a special stool to use at the bathroom sink.

Charles Johnson - 17 - Texas - Invented a device that warns motorists about an oncoming train.

Dr. N. Vent reminds you, "Everything you own was invented for a reason. Inventions always serve a purpose. Don't ever see them as something you wish you didn't have because you want a clean room. Invent something to help you clean your room."

Suddenly, you open your eyes and see you are still on your bed. You realize it was all just a dream. You are relieved to see that your things in your room have not disappeared. You still remember everything stated about inventions by Dr. N. Vent.

You know a robot would help you clean up your room. You sit at your desk and start drawing how different the robot will appear. You smile because you are sure this robot won't be just another dream.