Discover Camp Invention’s Dynamic New Curriculum

As Camp Invention^® celebrates 35 years of inspiring K-6 students to dream big, educators across the country are bringing an all-new Camp Invention experience to curious kids this summer. Designed to spark imagination and ignite the spirit of innovation, the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® develops a different curriculum for this STEM summer camp each year to empower young learners through engaging, hands-on experiences that boost confidence and creativity.

In four versatile modules, Camp Invention’s all-new program, Discover, guides learners to develop the I Can Invent^® Mindset as they explore STEM through experiential learning. Read on to learn what students will discover throughout their week at camp.

Illusion Workshop^™

In Illusion Workshop, National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee and Disney Imagineer Lanny Smoot guides children to discover the mesmerizing world of optical illusions and special effects in their favorite art, movies, theater and animation. Through hands-on challenges and experiments, campers go behind the scenes of the tech tricks used in theme parks and more as they explore the phenomena of illusions.

Blending the realms of science and art, children ignite their curiosity and learn how to achieve illusions through physics, electrical engineering and neuroscience. As they build a motorized Spin-o-scope™ to demonstrate the illusion of motion, campers apply scientific ideas to design, test and refine the device that converts energy from one form to another. As children become illusion experts, they’ll find that things are not always as they appear. From reflection to refraction to visual perception, campers practice illusion techniques like “Pepper’s Ghost” and even create their own moving pneumatic props. Immersing their senses and imagination, campers also explore careers connected to the next wave of crafting innovative entertainment experiences.

Claw Arcade^™

In this gamified learning experience, campers apply physics and mechanical engineering to build and operate their very own cardboard claw machine. As children explore the biology of claws and pincers — from eagle talons to tiger claws — they apply biomimicry to create their own unique claws, gaining hands-on experience with functional design as they experiment with gravity, balance and stability.

Once they build their claw-some cardboard creations, children tap into their imagination to create one-of-a-kind prizes. As they discover the value of intellectual property, campers embrace the exciting world of entrepreneurship, creating marketing materials, pitching their ideas and pursuing a trademark-worthy logo to secure a licensing deal. Preparing to take their arcade experiences to market, they grab the world by surprise with innovation!

Penguin Launch^™

Campers embark on an eco-expedition in Antarctica that transforms their understanding of environmental science, robotics and physics. Children uncover a variety of penguin species along with their habitats and ecosystems as they grow their environmental awareness and discover the important role humans play in solving real-world pollution challenges. Exploring the geography of the southern hemisphere, campers investigate magnetic forces, including how penguins use Earth’s magnetic fields to navigate. They’ll even get hands-on with instant snow!

To enter penguin colonies undetected, campers investigate the inner mechanics of a Snow-ver — a rover equipped with a robotic penguin that can roll and glide across snowy and icy surfaces. By discovering how mechanics and electronics work together to make a robot move, campers identify how circuitry delivers energy from a power source. As children learn more about the challenges facing their adorable penguin pals and their habitat, they’ll use a custom magnetic plush penguin to lift and move iron filings representing microplastic pollution. Exploring the science of physics and air pressure, students find the best strategy to launch their stuffed penguin on an epic, planet-saving mission.

In Control^™

On this innovative journey, campers exercise their communication skills as they make navigation decisions and invent their way around every bump and twist in the road. Children explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is incorporated into commonly used road trip items, such as GPS, and hear from National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee Asad Madni about advances in AI.

Children discover the science of circuitry as they assemble their own receiver and transmitter, customize a control panel and gain foundational skills in electrical engineering. They even learn how to decode Morse code clues! As they experiment with magnetic north using a compass and interpret data from maps to describe Earth’s features, campers take control of their uncharted adventure. They apply problem-solving skills to complete a rescue mission in a pine forest, detour to fix a flat tire and build stormproof shelters. Campers also will earn badges along the way as they find joy in the journey.

Learn More

Want to bring Camp Invention to your school? Keep exploring our website to learn more about this year’s program, Discover.