As students converged on the campus of Sunset Avenue Elementary Monday morning, they were invited into a week-long summer adventure that explored the connections between science, technology, engineering, and innovation while sharpening their 21st Century learning skills.

Clinton City Schools is hosting Camp Invention, which allows students to find their “inner inventor” by learning the process of innovation. Using hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning, builds resourcefulness and problem solving skills and encourages entrepreneurship while having students rotate through several fascinating modules inspired by the inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Erin Rady, director of the program, said 54 students were engaged and excited about the opportunities afforded them during the camp.

“This week will be an exciting adventure with lessons that explore connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation,” Rady said. “Children will get the chance to work together to seek solutions to real-world problems, and sharpen critical 21st century learning skills while rotating through modules.”

Since 1990, Camp Invention has taken summer fun and transformed it from ordinary to extraordinary. This nationally-acclaimed program will be offered to children entering grades K-6th.

During the four-day camp, the innovators will spend their time engaging in creative thinking by designing a small self-driving robot that senses changes in light, nurse a robotic puppy back to health and design and build dog parks as they hammer out ideas for the best park attraction, dream up and design their very own futuristic smart home filled with gadgets, LEDs, technology and innovations and invent something new every day as they explore what it is like to be a physicist, engineer and entrepreneur.

“All activities will give the participants the opportunity to explore, discover and achieve while having fun,” Rady shared. “Local educators are facilitating program modules and enthusiastic high school students are serving as leadership interns ensuring that one program team member was in place for every eight children.”

Clinton City Schools AIG teacher Stephanie Brock, who is working with Camp Invention for the second year, said campers were excited about the opportunities they would have throughout the week to engage in the hands-on learning experiences.

Monday morning, Brock was helping a group of students from grades 3-4 design a car with all the safety features.

“Together, they are thinking of ideas for a design and then the group will decide which idea works best for the safest design,” Brock explained.

All activities give participants the opportunity to explore, discover and achieve while having fun. Local educators will facilitate program modules and enthusiastic high school students will serve as leadership interns ensuring that one program team member is in place for every eight children.

Students in grades 3-4 worked Monday morning to design a safe car during the four-day Camp Invention event.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Camp1.jpgStudents in grades 3-4 worked Monday morning to design a safe car during the four-day Camp Invention event. Kristy D. Carter|Sampson Independent

Camp Invention is offered to students in K-6th grade. Student learn about science, technology, engineering and math during the camp.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Camp2.jpgCamp Invention is offered to students in K-6th grade. Student learn about science, technology, engineering and math during the camp. Kristy D. Carter|Sampson Independent
Four-day Camp Invention offers hands-on activities

By Kristy D. Carter

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Reach Kristy D. Carter at 910-592-8137, ext. 2588. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd. Like us on Facebook.