Camp Invention helps keep students' gears turning this summer

A popular summer program is back this week for its fourth year at Broadalbin-Perth Elementary School. Camp Invention provides students entering kindergarten through grade 6 the resources complete hands-on STEM projects, while practicing problem solving and collaboration skills. 

"Camp Invention gives our campers the opportunity to safely venture into the unknown by using experimental problem solving and enhancing an entrepreneur mentality," said Dianne Magliocca, co-director of Camp Invention at BPES. "We are faced with traditional games that we play in new creative ways. Our learners work in teams to develop methods to attack a challenge by listening and evaluating each other's ideas. They cooperatively devise strategies to succeed at their challenge." 

Each year, Camp Invention provides four different activities that the students rotate through during the day. Each student goes to every stations each day of the camp. This year's activities are centered around the theme of “illuminate” (descriptions from the Camp Invention website):

• "In the Game" — As children create their own light-up game board, they team up to tackle athletics, design, business and invention! Campers examine the features and specialized materials of a variety of sports balls, then create their own to use with their personalized game. They build a brand, create a logo and are recognized for their creativity by being inducted into the Game of Fame!
• "Let's Glow" — Creativity radiates as campers uncover the science of light through illuminating inventions and glowing animals. They build persistence as they make a one-of-a-kind Glow Box, experimenting with different forms of light and customizing their designs. Through the power of illumination, their ideas shine!
• "HydroDrop" — Campers embark on an epic global operation to help solve water challenges around the world! They learn about the role water plays for people and the planet, then customize a robotic lab-on-wheels to assist in their exploration. They use problem solving to engineer inventions that will help create a crystal-clear future!
• "Prototyping Studio" — Children star as contestants on a game show where they mold, shape and transform their ideas into amazing inventions! Using a DIY toolbox and everyday materials, as well as inspiration from Our Nation’s Greatest Innovators™, they complete a series of exciting prototyping challenges. While tapping into their imagination, they discover that invention can happen in any place at any time!

The Camp Invention website states that the camp is “a confidence-boosting STEM summer camp where kids build creative inventions and lasting friendships. Led by qualified local educators, our camps offer new and exciting hands-on experiences every year.”

"Students learn the brainstorming steps needed when creating an idea that they have," said Sierra Folts, co-director of Camp Invention at BPES. "They also learn the trial and error steps when executing ideas."

BPES has hosted Camp Invention each summer since 2021. Many students are repeat participants.

"I think this program continues each year because it's different than the learning they experience during the school year," Folts said. "They're unique and engaging activities for kids to do without the stress of a test."