Imaginations And Creativity Soar With Camp Invention's New 'Launch' Curriculum

Camp Invention is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® (NIHF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring, challenging and inspiring innovation. Founded in 1973 in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, NIHF's education programs provide a unique experience for children to learn about the importance of Intellectual Property while they explore, create and design.   

Through the use of hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning — as well as builds 21^st-century skills — in a fun and engaging environment. The program features new curriculum each year, which is inspired by some of our nation's most brilliant minds — the National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees.

"If you go to Camp Invention, it is so great to watch the kids, but it's even better to sit down at their tables," said Steve Sasson, inventor of the digital camera and 2011 NIHF Inductee. "The kids take pieces from old devices and put them together to create a new object that solves a problem, and they collectively work on this around a small table. If you sit and actually listen to them and how they describe their invention, it's powerful, because they feed off each other — and that's how inventions really are created."

This year's Camp Invention curriculum features several video challenges from NIHF Inductees encouraging children to explore their innovativeness and pitch their unique ideas. Hands-on modules include:

• Duct Tape Billionaire™: Campers design duct tape products they can market and sell to mock investors;
• Have a Blast™: Children build high-tech Bubble Blasters and compete as a team in friendly air battles that use physics to boost their advantage;
• Mission Space Makers™: Teams hatch eggs, sprout living plants and grow crystal trees, all while on a mission to locate and prepare a new planet for human habitation; and
• Operation Keep Out™: Campers learn to reverse engineer old machines and devices, and use their parts to create the ultimate Spy Gadget Alarm Box.

"Camp Invention opens up the world of science and engineering for young scientists," said Tracy M., mother of three campers. "It encourages children to look at ordinary recycled items and see the unlimited possibilities. Camp Invention builds confidence and creativity while teaching science concepts."

Camp Invention prides itself on using problem-based learning and hands-on activities to tackle the fears of STEM education and enables students to embrace the art of innovation. According to ChangeMaker Consulting, a third-party market research and analytics firm, the model is working. Data analysis from Camp Invention satisfaction surveys indicated that parents saw a significant increase in their children's interest and confidence in STEM after attending Camp Invention.

"Our programs boost STEM confidence in children as they learn and develop new skills to build on what they learn in the classroom," said NIHF CEO Michael Oister. "Camp Invention's hands-on activities encourage curiosity and collaboration, while children work together to build invention prototypes that solve problems."

Since 1990, Camp Invention and its related educational programs have influenced more than 1.25 million students. Annually, Camp Invention programs benefit more than 130,000 children and partner with more than 1,400 schools and districts across the nation.

Local programs are facilitated and taught by certified educators who reside and teach in the community. To find a camp near you, visit our Camp Finder or for additional information visit www.campinvention.org.

Join the Camp Invention conversation and help shape the future of our nation by using #CampInvention on social media!

About Camp Invention:
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. Camp Invention is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

About the National Inventors Hall of Fame:
The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) is the premier nonprofit organization in America dedicated to recognizing inventors and invention, promoting creativity, and advancing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Founded in 1973 in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, NIHF is committed not only to honoring the individuals whose inventions have made the world a better place, but also to ensure American ingenuity continues to thrive in the hands of coming generations through its national, hands-on educational programming and challenging collegiate competitions focused on the exploration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. NIHF has served more than 1.25 million children and 125,000 educators and interns, and awarded more than $1 million to college students for their innovative work and scientific achievement through the help of its sponsors.

SOURCE The National Inventors Hall of Fame