In the Problem Solving on Planet ZAK module, children are immersed in the wondrous world of science fiction as they use their creative and critical-thinking skills to stay safe and nourished after crash-landing on a strange planet. They first use teamwork to “reassemble” their crashed spacecraft from a variety of common objects. Then children must cope with the wild weather on Planet ZAK by using important data that will help them design shelters and spacesuits able to withstand the planet’s harsh conditions and acid rain! Children also use a dynamic problem-solving process to reach a hard-to-find food source and launch their reconstructed spacecraft in time for the blastoff countdown!
The adults and businesses in Sludge City have polluted their town to the point of ruin, and it’s up to the Camp Invention Team to rebuild a cleaner, more eco-friendly city for its residents! Children are introduced to ecology and the concept of conservation as they investigate, experiment, and demonstrate the actions that caused the city to become so terribly polluted and determine effective methods to clean it up. Children explore green city design, make water filtration systems to clean up mock toxic water pollution, build landfills that protect the Earth from contamination, ensure safe waste disposal, and invent new methods of transportation that operate solely on renewable, pollution-free power sources.
In the Imagination Point: Ride Physics module, children work as interns for the world’s newest and largest amusement park, Imagination Point. They are introduced to the basic principles of motion through hands-on activities related to amusement park rides. Children use their imaginations to create prototypes of roller coasters and other rides. Before construction begins, they investigate the science behind these thrill rides by exploring Sir Isaac Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. They perform a magician’s trick to understand inertia, discover that mass matters when two objects collide, learn the thrill of centripetal force, and create bumper-car paintings to illustrate that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction!
I Can Invent III™
The I Can Invent III module illustrates the joys (and frustrations) that real inventors face during the process of creating totally new inventions. Creative problem solving is fostered as children imagine and assemble the unthinkable! Younger children create fantasy inventions using pieces and parts of broken appliances and other recyclable materials. They further explore the process of invention as they market their inventions and apply for (and even receive) mock patents. Older children work in teams to build complicated, multi-step machines that solve a challenge. A participant favorite, children of all ages find this module incredibly challenging and exciting!
Global Games™
The Global Games module transports children across the globe to explore games! Children will discover the link between the games of ancient civilizations and the sports of this generation. Children will be challenged to create lacross sticks, dice and soccer balls from found materals, just like ancient cultures used the materials they had to create games, and how even now, found objects can be used to create new challenging games. Children will use strategy and teamwork to play these games with new spins. Children will create new games to place in a time capsule for future generations.