The Decatur County United Fund Board of Directors recently awarded a $5000 grant to the Decatur County Community Schools for the 2021 Camp Invention Program. Camp Invention is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the future of innovation and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Invention is a process that requires collaboration, hands-on application of STEM, creative problem solving, entrepreneurship and an understanding that moments of failure are necessary on the path to success. This innovation system – a network of programs influenced by inventors – provides an authentic, hands-on opportunity to experience the invention process first hand. Led by local, certified educators, our programs offer equal assess to STEM education while positioning inventors as role models, helping to reduce disparities in STEM fields and build a more innovative future.
The program is open to any child entering grades K-6, regardless of school district, and will be held at North Decatur Elementary School at 3300 North State Road 3, Greensburg, Indiana, June 7-11, 2021 from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm each day. Extended day hours available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm for an additional fee. Directed by Linda Smith and staffed with fellow local educators, campers will explore technology while building confidence in their natural ability to dream and create.
With Explore Open Mic City campers step up to the mic to find their own unique voice and become creative entrepreneurs. They discover sounds waves in action as they take apart and rebuild a wireless microphone, and then use powerful pitch skills to promote their own extraordinary invention. Dive into Duck Chuck Pond is a high-energy adventure, kids build and test a device to launch rubber ducks across the world. First, they collect “quack coins” to buy materials for their devices. Then they launch their ducks to visit famous landmarks, testing fascinating concepts like trajectory and velocity. Hike Through SolarBot Park allows kids to make and adopt their very own robotic crickets, they jump into experimenting with circuits and energy. Practicing empathy as they think about the lives of real insects, they create custom habitats — including a fun-filled cricket playground — for their solar-powered bots. Road Trip to Road Rally Racetrack allows campers to learn how to adapt as they design morphing vehicles that can travel across land, adding prototype elements for moving through air and water. With inspiration from cool creatures including a “plantimal,” they modify their vehicles to submerge, soar or sprint in the Super Road Rally.
The cost for the week-long camp is usually $235, but due to the special grant awarded by the Decatur County United Fund, a $125 scholarship will be given to the first 50 Decatur County students enrolling reducing the registration fee to $110. Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis; space is limited.
“The Decatur County United Fund is a local organization committed to improving the lives of Decatur County individuals by funding programs impacting the health, education and economic mobility of our community. The funding we raise in our community stays in our community. This is our third year providing scholarships for the Camp Invention Program and we are very excited to make this exceptional educational experience more affordable for children in Decatur County,” said Joane Cunningham, Executive Director of the Decatur County United Fund.
Register at INVENT.ORG/CAMP or 800-968-4332.
For questions about Camp Invention, please contact Linda Smith at lsmith@decaturco.k12.in.us or NDES 812-663-9215.