The INNOVATE Program
Power’d™
During the Power’d module, children explore new types of energy to help power robotic creatures. Children spend the week building, powering, and exploring the capabilities of their own fantasy creatures by investigating wind, solar, and hydro power. Children make discoveries about electrical power and circuits by tinkering with motors, batteries, and other engaging materials. Children are introduced to renewable and nonrenewable energy sources that can be used to power a creature that children build and explore the roles of mathematics and physics in design and engineering.
Hatched™
The Hatched module utilizes the idea of computer virtual worlds to engage children in economic and entrepreneurial work. During the week, children create and “sell” items that will benefit the avatars’ lives and the Hatched virtual world. This module uses supply and demand as well as needs and wants to guide children towards a better understanding of how these principles work in the real world. During the week, children use creative and critical-thinking skills, cooperative groups, and communication to engage in the restoration of the Hatched virtual world.
SMArt: Science, Math & Art™
The SMArt: Science, Math & Art module illustrates the beauty of patterns in the field of mathematics. During the week, children explore a number of math topics that have very little to do with arithmetic, but a great deal to do with patterns and other math subjects. This module uses the mathematical fields of tesselations, topology, minimal surfaces, fractals, and angles to demonstrate another side of mathematics to children.
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. During the week, younger children create fantasy inventions using pieces and parts of broken appliances and other provided materials. Older children spend the week creating multi-step, Rube Goldberg-type machines that solve a given challenge. Both age groups use and develop creative and critical-thinking skills as they encounter problems or unfamilar situations throughout the week.
Global Games™
During the Global Games module, children explore cultures from around the world. Throughout the week, children discover the link between the games of ancient civilizations and the sports of this generation. The Global Games module fuses physical activity and history. Modern games have evolved from ancient and sometimes prehistoric games into the games we now play. Children employ strategy and teamwork as they play games and explore how changing the rules can create a new experience! Children learn about how most ancient cultures used the materials they had to create games and how, even now, found objects can be used to create new challenging games.