The CREATE Program
Problem Solving on Planet ZAK®
Science fiction has predicted many of today’s science facts. The Problem Solving on Planet ZAK module takes children into the wondrous world of science fiction. It gives them experiences that will enhance their creative and critical-thinking skills in a sci-fi setting. The module is structured around the six-stage Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model that allows children to use a variety of thinking tools such as Attribute Listing, Force-Fitting, and Brainstorming while doing hands-on construction problems.
On Day One, children “reassemble” their crashed spacecraft from a variety of common objects. On Day Two, children must cope with the wild weather on Planet ZAK by designing shelters and spacesuits able to withstand the planet’s harsh conditions and acid rain! Finding and retrieving food are Day Three’s challenges, as children use problem solving to obtain an unusual, hard-to-reach food source. On Days Four and Five, children design ways to launch their spacecrafts in time for the blast-off countdown. Children add to the fun by writing stories that describe and evaluate each day’s work. Children plan to share these stories with their friends back home should they ever become lost on a strange planet! The week ends with children presenting their stories, construction projects, and solutions at the ever-popular Inventor’s Showcase.
Saving Sludge City™
In the Saving Sludge City module, children are introduced to ecology and the concept of conservation when they are challenged to rebuild a cleaner, more eco-friendly city that has been polluted to the point of ruin. Before construction begins, children investigate and demonstrate the actions that polluted the city and determine effective methods to clean it up. Participants explore green city design, water filtration systems, safe waste disposal, conservation techniques, and renewable energy as they completely reconstruct the town.
On Day One, children clean up a simulated landfill that is leaking toxic chemicals into groundwater. On Day Two, children discover that the city’s beautiful sparkling swimming area has become a contaminated wasteland and assemble a water filtration device to restore it to its original beauty. Day Three introduces children to ekistics, as they plan Sludge City’s future dwelling design. During Day Four, children apply their ekistic findings by building a model of the new city using recycled materials. On Day Five, children address the city’s serious air pollution problem caused by its transportation system by inventing new methods of transportation that operate solely on renewable, pollution-free power sources.
Imagination Point: Ride Physics™
In the Imagination Point: Ride Physics module, children are introduced to Sir Isaac Newton’s Three Laws of Motion through hands-on activities related to amusement park rides. Children, working as design interns for the world’s newest and largest amusement park, Imagination Point, use their creativity and imaginations to design prototypes of roller coasters and other rides!
On Day One, children explore Newton’s first law of motion by conducting an experiment based on a magician’s tablecloth trick and participating in a relay race to understand inertia. Using their new physics knowledge, children design the biggest attraction in the amusement park – the roller coaster! On Day Two, children explore Newton’s second law of motion by using balls of varying weights to discover that mass matters when two objects collide. Children also learn about centripetal force by experimenting with spinning cups, and end the day by adding the thrill factor to their roller coasters. Newton’s third law of motion is explored on Day Three, when children create bumper-car paintings to illustrate that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. On Day Four, children integrate all laws of motion as they design other rides for the amusement park. Then on Day Five, children build models of their rides and share them with other designers!
I Can Invent: Fantasy Inventions & Complicated Machines II™
The I Can Invent: Fantasy Inventions & Complicated Machines II module illustrates the joys (and frustrations) that real inventors face during the process of creating totally new inventions. This module, divided into separate parts for younger and older children, uses science, creative problem solving, and hands-on applications to further children’s inventiveness and critical-thinking skills. While younger children focus on building fantasy inventions that will help solve a problem that “bugs” them, older children work in teams to create multi-step, Rube Goldberg-type machines that solve a given challenge.
On Day One, both older and younger children learn tool safety and take apart broken appliances. During Day Two, all children continue dismantling their appliances; younger children focus on finding gears and magnets within their Take Apart items, while older children begin developing complicated machines that must employ four separate steps to solve the given challenge. On Day Three, while younger children continue taking apart their appliances, older children begin building their multi-step machines. During Day Four, younger children discover how product names are chosen, and older children enhance their multi-step machines. The week ends with younger children wrapping up their invention process (including applying for and receiving a mock patent) and older children setting their complicated machines in motion!
Recess Remix™
The Recess Remix module combines physical activity and creativity. Children practice teamwork, cooperation, coordination, and creative problem-solving skills during fun, energetic games. Recess Remix activities are based on the premise that traditional games can be modified using nontraditional approaches. Inclusion and creative problem-solving skills are stressed, rather than winning or losing. Different games are played based on children's ages and abilities. Like inventions that combine two ideas into one product, different parts of a game can be changed to make a new game.
Each day, the challenges are new and exciting. Children play approximately four games per day, sometimes featuring water, recyclable materials, and balls. New experiences are created when children are challenged to use nontraditional equipment or incorporate items like water balloons into classic games. All activities are designed to engage the mind and body together while children work as a team. Recess Remix games challenge teams to depend on their own inventiveness and inquisitive thinking. Children discover that all games can be adapted and modified to create fun, new challenges!