Lesson in innovation
Campers learn about science and technology at Camp Invention
Campers spent their time inventing and learning this week as they were introduced to multiple disciplines of science and technology.
Camp Invention introduced kids to the worlds of science, technology, engineering and mathematics this summer with its integrated week-long camp program aimed at K-6th grade.
The camps were held at New Hanover Elementary School and Daniel Boone Middle School.
Using hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning; builds confidence, leadership, perseverance, resourcefulness and problem-solving skills; and encourages entrepreneurship — in a fun and engaging environment.
Campers participated in a variety of exercises designed to foster their creativity and critical thinking skills throughout. Among those activities were the Innovation Force, Deep Sea Mystery, Farm Tech and a do-it-yourself Orbot.
“They’re little remote controlled robots that they can control with this remote and it follows two different frequencies. So we talked about high and low frequency and different inventions that they could replicate,” explained Jena Piazza, a teacher at the camp in charge of the Orbot session. “It’s all about them interacting with the little Orbot that Camp Invention supplies. Every day they got to do a challenge with the Orbot. One of them was design a dance for the Orbot to perform.”
On Friday, campers could be seen finishing up their Orbots and programming them to follow different courses. While exploring frequency, circuit boards, motors and gears the campers used real tools to reverse engineer a remote-control robot that faced increasingly difficult tasks as the week went on.
Other sessions throughout the week included the Innovation Force activity. During that session, campers team up with the Innovation Force (National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees as superheroes) to battle the evil Plagiarizer, a super villain who is out to steal the world’s greatest
ideas. As children create a device to retrieve the stolen ideas, they learn about the importance of intellectual property and the U.S. patent system.
Additionally, campers learned about the basics of running a business through the Farm Tech exercise. With the assistance of the Bot-ANN-E robot, they learn fundamental coding techniques to maximize their time and profits. Children also are introduced to DNA syntheses, where they perform their own mock experiment to check the health of their newly purchased livestock.
“It’s a lot of having kids learn to work with other kids, having to work together as a team, creative thinking and really a lot of hands-on stuff,” Kristi Schueler, the teacher in charge of games at Camp Invention. “Some of the projects and things they do are incredible ... It’s really a lot of fun and it’s a great way for kids in the district to get to know each other and is just a really great experience for everyone involved. “
Camp Invention is the only nationally recognized summer program focused on creativity, innovation, real-world problem solving and the spirit of invention. Through hands-on programming, Camp Invention encourages children entering kindergarten through sixth grade to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum inspired by some of the world’s greatest inventors. Since 1990, their education programs have served more than 1.5 million children, and 170,000 teachers and Leadership Interns.