Developing 21st-Century Skills at Camp Invention

As advances in technology continue to change and disrupt the way we work and communicate, to best prepare today’s students, parents as well as educators must rethink established practices. While passive, lecture-based forms of learning are effective in moderation, student-centered education that provides children with a sense of agency and control over what they’re learning is far more effective in teaching crucial 21^st-century skills.

In contrast to “hard skills” that deal with formulas, language fluency and technical ability, 21^st-century skills are “soft” — and they’re more difficult to teach. These skills must be developed through practice.

While opinions on what qualifies as a 21^st-century skill can differ, according to the National Education Association, many of these skills fit under four main themes, known as the “Four Cs:”

• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Creativity

Parents understand that these foundational skills will benefit children not only in their future careers but in all aspects of their lives.  

Camp Invention’s Approach to Learning

At Camp Invention^®, our program gives children the freedom to explore on their own terms through the act of play. Using hands-on activities inspired by the lessons and stories of revolutionary role models, our National Inventors Hall of Fame^® Inductees, experienced local educators present campers with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts in fun and exciting ways. In this year’s all-new program, Elevate, participants gain key building blocks that will set them up for future success.

Unlike in a traditional classroom setting, at Camp Invention, children learn by doing.

• To let their imaginations soar while exploring the science behind flight, children design paper planes and gliders, and they launch rockets and hand-copters.
   
• To investigate the value of intellectual property, they turn their biggest ideas into products, design logos and pitch their inventions.
   
• To invent solutions to real-world problems like pollution, children collaborate, brainstorm and develop prototypes. 
   
• To design the ultimate sports complex, they use creativity and problem solving as they share their ideas for an exciting competition

Learn More About Camp Invention Today!

To find the nearest Camp Invention location, and to learn more about our all-new Elevate curriculum, check out our website.