Written by: TFVstaff • November 30, 2018• Summer Camp

Island Mystery, Robotics, High-Tech Farming

Camp Invention^® introduces young innovators to invention and prototyping in a way that makes them relatable and fun. In the newly announced 2019 program, campers will learn ocean navigation and survival skills on a remote island, conduct mock DNA tests on farm animals, and learn to protect their own ideas and patents. And at the end of the program, each camper will bring home two robots!

Camp Invention, a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, provides a unique experience for children to learn about the importance of intellectual property while exploring, creating and designing. Using hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning; builds resourcefulness and problem-solving skills; and encourages entrepreneurship — in a fun and engaging environment.

Each year, the program features a new curriculum inspired by some of our nation’s greatest inventors — the NIHF Inductees. For 2019, the Supercharged™ curriculum features video challenges from these Inductees encouraging children to be confident in their ideas and explore their ability to innovate. The hands-on modules include:

Innovation Force^®: Campers team up with the Innovation Force (NIHF Inductees who have been transformed into superheroes) to battle the evil Plagiarizer, a supervillain who is out to steal the world’s greatest ideas. As children create a device to retrieve the stolen ideas, they learn about the importance of intellectual property and the U.S. patent system.
Deep Sea Mystery™: The children embark on a research adventure at sea to dig up fossils, but they soon find themselves stranded on an island. Using lessons and advice from NIHF Inductees, they invent island-survival tools and underwater equipment.
Farm Tech™: Campers are put in charge of managing their own farm as they learn the basics of running a business. With the assistance of the Bot-ANN-E robot, they learn fundamental coding techniques to maximize their time and profits. Children also are introduced to DNA syntheses, where they perform their own mock experiment to check the health of their newly purchased cattle.
DIY Orbot™: The children will explore frequency, circuit boards, motors and gears as they use real tools to reverse engineer a remote-control robot. Throughout the week, campers will adapt their DIY Orbot to perform increasingly challenging tasks.

“My daughter had an amazing time at Camp Invention,” said Laura Cabrera, the parent of a 2018 camper. “She enjoyed the stimulation that camp provided, and she couldn’t stop talking about building robots and how things work. She learned so much, but I don’t think she realized it because she was so busy creating and having fun!”

Local programs are facilitated and taught by certified educators who reside and teach in the community. Annually, Camp Invention programs benefit more than 160,000 children and partner with 2,800 schools and districts across the nation. To find a local camp or more information on the 2019 program, visit invent.org/camp.

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. This nationwide, nonprofit organization is committed to the curious minds and innovative spirits of the past, present and future. Since 1990, our education programs have served more than 1.5 million children, and 170,000 teachers and Leadership Interns. For more information, visit invent.org/camp.

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