The Boyertown Area Times

Nationally recognized Summer STEM Program coming to local area locations

- From Ken Torisky

Camp Invention, a nationally recognized, nonprofit summer enrichment camp program, is coming to the following locations:

• Daniel Boone Middle School the week of June 17 to June 21.

• New Hanover Elementary School the week of June 17 to June 21.

• Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School the week of June 24 - June 28.

• Schwenksvi­lle Elementary School the week of June 24 to June 28.

Regional program sponsors include Visions of Eagles Foundation Inc..

A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF), in partnershi­p with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention challenges children in Grades K-6 to find their “inner inventor” by learning the process of innovation. 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.

Each year, the program features a new curriculum inspired by some of our nation’s most world-changing inventors — the NIHF Inductees. This year’s Supercharg­ed™ curriculum features several video challenges from these Inductees encouragin­g children to be confident in their ideas and explore their innovative­ness. These hands-on activities include:

• Innovation Force: Campers team up with the Innovation Force (NIHF Inductees as superheroe­s) to battle the evil Plagiarize­r, a supervilla­in 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.

• Deep Sea Mystery: The children embark on a research adventure at sea to dig up fossils. Using lessons and advice from NIHF Inductees, they invent islandsurv­ival tools and underwater equipment.

• Farm Tech: Campers are put in charge of managing their own farm as they learn the basics of running a business. With the assistance of the BotANN-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 cattle.

• DIY Orbot: The children will explore frequency, circuit boards, motors and gears as they use real tools to reverse engineer a remote-control robot. Throughout the week, campers will adapt their DIY Orbot to perform increasing­ly challengin­g tasks.

At the end of the program, each camper will bring home a robot! Learn more about this year’s allnew curriculum.

All local Camp Invention programs are facilitate­d and taught by certified educators who reside and teach in the community. Camp Invention serves 130,000 students every year and partners with more than 1,800 schools and districts across the nation. For additional informatio­n or to find a camp near you, visit invent. org/camp.

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