Explore Camp Invention’s Inspiring New 2024 Curriculum
School districts nationwide are bringing Camp Invention®, the innovative K-6 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) summer camp from the National Inventors Hall of Fame®, to their students with this year’s all-new program, Illuminate.
For over 30 years, this engaging program has captured the imaginations of millions of students by offering hands-on experiences developed in collaboration with some of the world’s most impactful inventors – our National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees. Crafted using a meticulous 20-month-long development process, each year’s new curriculum not only qualifies for national and state funding sources including ESSER, but also caters to all students, no matter their unique learning style or background.
Read below to learn what students will experience in this summer’s new Camp Invention modules.
In the Game
In the Game™ encourages students to blend athletics, design, invention and entrepreneurial savvy. Each day starts with a spirited team huddle, unveiling challenges and igniting creative ideas. Drawing inspiration from the design features and specialized materials of various sports balls, children craft their own unique sports ball design.
Elevating their game, students engage in experiments with inclined planes and gravitational pull, constructing a personalized, illuminated ball game. Throughout their week at camp, they delve into topics including intellectual property protection and brand building, and they conclude their journey by joining The Game of Fame — an event recognizing their innovative thinking and award-winning skills!
Let’s Glow
In Let’s Glow™, students explore the science of light and learn how to craft illuminating inventions as they create a unique Glow Box. Stepping into a biophysics lab, they contemplate their ideas while unraveling the mysteries of light in LEDs, fiber optics and the genetic code of glowing animals.
Students’ exploration extends to ultraviolet light, as they reveal clues hidden in plain sight. With each revelation, students enhance the design of their Glow Box, harnessing the power of light to make their ideas gleam and igniting inspiration for a brighter future.
Operation: HydroDrop
Operation: HydroDrop™ challenges students to embark on a worldwide mission where they explore and address water-related issues across our planet. Their journey begins by customizing their lab-on-wheels — a mobile robot illuminated by the latest marine science technology.
Guided by the teamwork and inventive spirit of National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees, students draw inspiration from patented water-based inventions, from flood control technology to water-cleaning devices. As students craft their own solutions to real-world water challenges, they learn how they can make a significant impact on our planet.
Prototyping Studio
In this module, students become contestants on Prototyping Studio™ — a game show hosted by NIHFty Bot™ — and go on an inventive journey to unveil the ultimate place for creation. Armed with a DIY toolbox, children spark fresh ideas and transform them into reality while exploring the invention spaces of Our Nation’s Greatest Innovators™, National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees.
Through a series of swift prototyping challenges, students hone their invention concepts and safeguard their intellectual property. The game concludes as they realize the ultimate space to invent is wherever they choose, making each student a winner in their own creative realm.
Learn More About This Year’s Camp Invention Program
To learn more about our new 2024 Illuminate program and find out how you can bring it to your district, visit our website!