Calling All Budding Inventors: Your Summer Camp is Here

Can the imaginary crash landing of a spaceship on an alien planet teach kids about science, technology, engineering and math concepts?

Susan Clarke, the regional coordinator for Camp Invention in Minnesota, thinks so.

The crash landing is just one of a handful of unique activities that participants of Camp Invention in Inver Grove Heights will experience in August. The camp, rooted in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, gives students, who are entering first through sixth grade an opportunity for a hands-on educational experience

Started in 1990 as an outreach program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum, Clarke said the nonprofit has grown to 48 states. Last year, 66,000 kids participated in various summer programs.

“It’s learning with a twist,” Clarke said. “Everything is open-ended. There are no right or wrong answers.”

Camp Invention touts four different programs, which rotate annually through participating schools so kids have a chance to try different activities each year.

This year, Inver Grove Heights is equipped with the  program, which offers five different daily lessons. They are:

• Planet Zach: Students pretend they are the crew of a spaceship that crashed on an alien planet. Grouped into different teams, the students have to learn how to survive on the planet and eventually figure out how to get back to the "mothership". The activity is designed to teach participants creative problem solving and roleplaying, Clarke said.

• Imagination Point: Students learn Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion and put them to work when they design and build amusement park rides for marbles.

• Sludge City: Staging an oil slick in a bucket and then cleaning it up is the focus of this activity. Students also make a landfill and learn about water filtration.

• Creative Outdoor Games: After learning the ropes of several energetic outdoor games, students get to change the rules to make their own games.

• I Can Invent Workshop: The signature unit of Camp Invention and an anchor for all four programs, the workshop allows students to invention their own simple or complex machine.

Learning science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills at an early age is important for students in contemporary society, Clarke and TriDistrict Community Education employee Lisa Grathen said.

"Most of the jobs in the world are created around STEM; that is the fastest growing job area," Grathen said. "Getting our students involved and competent in that area at a young age is important, because it can feel daunting."

The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 8-12 at the . Already, Clarke said, a dozen kids have signed up for the course.

"We're not just focusing on the pure science, invention technology and math, we’re also developing 21st century learning skills—problem solving, critical thinking and cooperative work," Clarke said. "We are trying to introduce kids to science, technology and math in a fun way when they’re young."

WANT TO SIGN YOUR KID UP?
HOW: You can register by visiting the Camp Invention website or calling 800-968-4332. Walk-ins are welcome, but not preferred.
COST: $223—scholarships are available by emailing Barb Johnson at bjcampinvention@aol.com.