Camp Invention returns to Bethel Park

Camp Invention, a nationally recognized, nonprofit summer enrichment camp program, is returning to Neil Armstrong Middle School the week of July 15.
A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention provides an opportunity for children to learn about the importance of intellectual property while exploring, creating and designing.
Using hands-on activities, the camp promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning; builds confidence, leadership, perseverance, resourcefulness and problem-solving skills; and encourages entrepreneurship in a fun and engaging environment.
For 2019, the “Supercharged” curriculum features video challenges encouraging children to be confident in their ideas and explore their ability to innovate. The hands-on modules include:
- Innovation Force – Campers team up with National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees to “battle” the evil Plagiarizer, a supervillain who is out to steal the world’s greatest ideas. As children create a device to retrieve the stolen ideas, they learn about the importance of intellectual property and the U.S. patent system.
- Deep Sea Mystery – The children embark on a research adventure at sea to dig up fossils, but they soon find themselves stranded on an island. Using lessons and advice from NIHF inductees, they invent island-survival tools and underwater equipment.
- Farm Tech – Campers are put in charge of managing their own farm as they learn the basics of running a business. With the assistance of the “Bot-ANN-E” robot, they learn fundamental coding techniques to maximize their time and profits. Children also are introduced to DNA syntheses, where they perform their own mock experiment to check the health of their newly purchased cattle.
- DIY Orbot – The children will explore frequency, circuit boards, motors and gears as they use real tools to reverse engineer a remote-control robot. Throughout the week, campers will adapt their DIY Orbot to perform increasingly challenging tasks.
All local Camp Invention programs are facilitated and taught by certified educators who live and teach in the community. Camp Invention serves more than 130,000 students every year and partners with 1,800 schools and districts across the United States. For more information, visit invent.org/camp.