Young Inventors Summer Camp Overview
Camp Objective
A large part of invention is being able to see old things in a new way, or combining totally unrelated things to create something new. Campers will hone in on their imagination skills and delve into the creative process. The creative process is a personal one and is about thinking and doing. Components includes possibility thinking, problem finding, brainstorming ideas, applying skills to develop solutions, thinking flexibly, working collaboratively, using design and future thinking, creating prototypes/models, testing the concept, assessing progress, evaluate success/failures. And it all starts with using your imagination. At the end of the week, students will have created their own unique inventions based on recycled materials available.
Daily Breakdown
Each day at camp will have a fun icebreaker (15 minutes - critical thinking or connecting ideas challenge) to begin, followed by our daily activity (1.25 hours - confetti launcher, convenient carrier, etc), and end with our major project, Invent a Better World (1.5 hours - each camper is given half of each day at camp to come up with and present a model of an invention that would better the world). On Friday, campers will spend the last 30 minutes of class presenting their inventions for a better world, and receive certificates for their inventions. Family, friends, and other campers are welcome to join the ceremony!
Monday
Introduction
Camp outline with objectives and expectations discussed. Icebreaker challenges, daily activities, and major projects outlined.
Icebreaker - Associations
In this word association game, campers to help kids practice flexible, creative thinking. The game will also help kids focus on items that can be launched. say aloud the words Ask kids to guess what these things have in common.
Daily Activity - Confetti Launcher
In our first camp activity, campers will invent a device that launches a spoonful of confetti into the air. The bigger the cloud, the better. Campers brainstorm, build, design, test, and redesign various ways to launch confetti successfully on our launch pad.
Major Project - Invent a Better World
each camper is given half of each day at camp to create a model for an invention that would create a better world. Campers are to think about environmental issues, like the effects of climate change; human over population issues like access to fresh food, clean water, and shelter; as well as other issues they believe would better their community. Campers use today's session to brainstorm and draw out designs for their inventions.
Tuesday
Icebreaker - New Use for Things
In this critical thinking game, campers will ask themselves What’s an invention? Kids are likely to say it’s a new machine or product. But sometimes, inventing means coming up with a new use for an existing product. To encourage fl exibility in kids’ thinking, ask them to think of non-electric things used
Daily Activity - Get Moving
Invent an indoor game for one or two people that gets you moving. brainstorm activities that get people up and moving follow the design process to invent a game, including the equipment and rules for playing it. underscore the need for inventions that promote physical activity. Brainstorm design ideasThis challenge is about action. List a few action verbs kids to match each verb to a game What games might you play at recess, camp, or a carnival? Discuss what it means to invent a game. Build, test, and redesign Discuss what happened , How does your game get people moving? What features of your game would make someone want to play? Testing and redesigning are important steps in the design process. How did these steps help you invent your game?
Major Project - Invent a Better World
Wednesday
Icebreaker - Charades
Our Young Inventors Charades will have kids act out famous inventors and their inventions to get them warmed up for today's activity!
Daily Activity - Harmless Holder
Animals get tangled in plastic holders for cans, and can’t get free. Campers will invent new harmless holders to prevent animals, like sea turtles, from being caught in a plastic holder.
Major Project - Invent a Better World
Thursday
Icebreaker - Thinking Imaginatively
Draw a triangle on a board and show kids how it can be turned into an object (see examples at right). Next, have kids draw eight triangles on a sheet of paper, leaving some space around each one. Challenge them to turn their triangles (or pairs of triangles) into objects. After a minute or two, have kids share their ideas. Tell them inventors think about things in new ways and see interesting possibilities.
Daily Activity - Speedy Shelter
How could you use different parts of plants to make a shelter that would be strong enough to withstand the wind and rain? Buildings have to resist forces like the pushes and pulls caused by gravity and wind. What are some ways engineers help create sturdy buildings? Tents have three basic parts: a frame, a cover, and connectors to hold the parts together. Look at the materials and sketch at least three shelter designs.
Major Project - Invent a Better World
Friday
Icebreaker - Imagine Experience
Students do various activities and exercises that help them understand how a person in a wheel chair or on crutches may experience day to day activities. Moving across the room on one leg, writing with the wrong hand, and reaching things that are high up from a chair, are all activities that will help campers focus on our objective for the daily activity.
Daily Activity - Convenient Carrier
Invent a convenient way for someone using crutches or a wheelchair to carry small personal items. Students will create a carries in a short amount of time as we have our ceremony at the end of class.
IQuest Young Inventors Camp Ceremony
Campers will have about an hour to complete the final touches and details of their Major Project. We'll have an award ceremony at the last 30 minutes of class; family, friends, and other campers are more than welcome to come if they'd like. Students will receive a certificate for their invention, and have an opportunity to show their invention to the audience!
Materials Needed
Our team sent an email with a list of items that campers can bring to work on their major project with.
Campers are also encouraged to bring:
- healthy snacks for brainstorming
- folders (small, paper) to keep any paperwork in
- a bag or box to keep their daily activity projects in
