Spark STEM Career Inspiration at Camp Invention

Early career exposure is all about creating a lasting spark of inspiration. This summer, kids in grades K-6 will have a blast as they connect with innovative role models and find new pathways to STEM at the all-new Camp Invention^®. As campers take on fun, creative challenges, they’ll explore their interests, discover innovative careers and build lasting confidence. 

At the 2026 Camp Invention program, Spark, campers will team up for never-before-seen adventures, from animal mysteries to space missions, as they imagine new possibilities for their bright futures. Take a look at some of the exciting STEM career paths campers will encounter this summer!

Entrepreneur

In Make Waves^™, campers learn how to commercialize their own innovative products as they explore the invention process through the lens of a surfer’s journey. Like surfers moving from the safety of the shore to the rush of breaking waves, campers practice strategic risk-taking to make their entrepreneurial aspirations come true. Children experiment with hands-on physics, pitch their prototypes to investors and conduct market research as they ride the waves of entrepreneurship. As they bring their inventions to market, campers also explore the role of a graphic designer as they create an eye-catching billboard boat for ocean advertising. 

Cyber Security Specialist 

In The Infringers^™, children team up with real-life superheroes, National Inventors Hall of Fame® Inductees, to identify and solve challenges in their community and around the world. Exploring the role of a cybersecurity data scientist, campers protect their intellectual property from the Infringers, who are duplicating inventions! From reCAPTCHA to iris recognition, children learn how innovative security tools can help them keep their ideas top-secret. As they safeguard their designs, young tech enthusiasts light up as they explore how technology has enabled inventions to be miniaturized and then invent their own small but impactful prototypes. As they learn how to protect their inventions, campers also discover the work of cryptography engineers as they create a wearable cryptography device. 

Aerospace Engineer 

In Space Morphers^™, children build a DIY rocket like a real-world aerospace engineer before launching a space mission to transform a new planet’s atmosphere, terrain and ecosystem for future habitation. As they explore materials science, design engineering and cutting-edge space innovations, children glean inspiration from National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees and create their own solar-sail-like prototype to keep a satellite orbiting their planet. After children collect samples in a high-energy rover race, they hatch a mysterious animal egg, grow a dazzling crystal tree and encounter careers like data scientist, geologist and lab technician while recording scientific observations in their space lab. 

Forensic Scientist 

In Fur-ensics^™, children explore forensic science as they conduct their own investigation to solve an animal mystery. Alongside their own robotic capybara sidekick, campers collect evidence, use deductive reasoning to identify a mischievous animal prankster and apply creative problem-solving skills to invent a sleuthing gadget that will support their epic investigation. As they collect curious clues and evidence, children identify the “who” and “how” behind animal antics, take a close-up look at fur and feathers under a microscope and uncover the science behind analyzing fingerprints. Learning investigative techniques and DNA concepts, campers uncover how detectives, lab technicians and forensic professionals use STEM to solve crimes. 

Find More Pathways to STEM

Through early exposure to real-world STEM applications and exciting careers, Camp Invention unlocks every child’s potential. There is so much to learn – register today!