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Camp Invention a mind-opening event
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| Fun learning: Liza Keifer, left, shows interest as Camp Invention instructor Veronica Lopez explains the goals of the project. Keifer wanted to invent something that will keep clothes on a hanger. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Thelma Grimes/Vail Sun
About 60 students throughout the Vail School District last week took part in a national program known as Camp Invention, where children are challenged to be creative and increase their skills in math and science.
While Camp Invention Director Tricia Beck talked about the need for such programs, students between first and sixth grades were split up at Mesquite Elementary and given special projects.
A group of first graders was given a problem-solving task that involved being inventors. With goggles on and minds working, the students took apart computers, VCRs, vacuums and other electronic equipment as they made plans for the week-long project.
One student talked about having a dog that didn't listen, so to fix that, he said he would build a pet that would.
Other students planned on building robots, one wanted a time machine to help solve problems in the past and Liza Keifer said she and her partner were just working to create something to help keep clothes on a hangar.
"It's just so hands on," Beck said. "These students are excited to be creative, to be problem-solvers, to work in teams. The constant focus while they are having fun is science and technology with a little bit of math and writing."
Beck said she first heard about Camp Invention at a conference for gifted students, and then looked into whether or not such a program was available for students in the Tucson area. After finding out there was no local chapter, Beck said before long she became the director.
With 60 students attending the first year, Beck said she is pleased, noting that she was able to get $700 in grants that allowed them to assist in paying the way for some students to attend the camp.
Besides inventions and problem solving, students were given other tasks throughout the day. Students were given an egg, which is a baby, and told to invent a protection device that would keep it safe.
The classroom was transformed into a testing facility, where students pushed their eggs down a ramp inside toy cars.
Another classroom gave the students a chance to look at space exploration. Beck explained that the students had to get creative and think about how they could land on Planet Zach, and what they would find there.
Another classroom explored physics as students worked on a roller coaster design. Work was underway with pipes and drawings placed along the wall.
"This camp is about working at a hands-on level and the students are able to do what they have been studying in a book," Beck said. "Kids are naturally curious about the world around them and an easy way to tap into that is science. If science is just out of a textbook, the students won't want to take science as an elective once they get into high school."
Adding physical activity to the camp, students were also given a challenge in the gymnasium.
A hula-hoop was placed feet away from the line and students were given objects like a wet sponge, a tennis ball, a plastic squeaky toy and a ping-pong ball. The object of the exercise was to teach students that each object had a different texture and weight.
The students were told to throw each object into the hula-hoop. They found out quickly that they had to use different techniques to throw each object.
With the success of the first year, Beck said she is already looking at next year being bigger and better. To have a better turnout and program, Beck is already enrolling students, noting that all of those enrolled before Christmas get 50 percent off the price. To enroll, contact Beck at beckt@vail.k12.az.us.
With about 900 camps nationwide, about 60,000 students a year participate in Camp Invention.
About 60 students throughout the Vail School District last week took part in a national program known as Camp Invention, where children are challenged to be creative and increase their skills in math and science.
While Camp Invention Director Tricia Beck talked about the need for such programs, students between first and sixth grades were split up at Mesquite Elementary and given special projects.
A group of first graders was given a problem-solving task that involved being inventors. With goggles on and minds working, the students took apart computers, VCRs, vacuums and other electronic equipment as they made plans for the week-long project.
One student talked about having a dog that didn't listen, so to fix that, he said he would build a pet that would.
Other students planned on building robots, one wanted a time machine to help solve problems in the past and Liza Keifer said she and her partner were just working to create something to help keep clothes on a hangar.
"It's just so hands on," Beck said. "These students are excited to be creative, to be problem-solvers, to work in teams. The constant focus while they are having fun is science and technology with a little bit of math and writing."
Beck said she first heard about Camp Invention at a conference for gifted students, and then looked into whether or not such a program was available for students in the Tucson area. After finding out there was no local chapter, Beck said before long she became the director.
With 60 students attending the first year, Beck said she is pleased, noting that she was able to get $700 in grants that allowed them to assist in paying the way for some students to attend the camp.
Besides inventions and problem solving, students were given other tasks throughout the day. Students were given an egg, which is a baby, and told to invent a protection device that would keep it safe.
The classroom was transformed into a testing facility, where students pushed their eggs down a ramp inside toy cars.
Another classroom gave the students a chance to look at space exploration. Beck explained that the students had to get creative and think about how they could land on Planet Zach, and what they would find there.
Another classroom explored physics as students worked on a roller coaster design. Work was underway with pipes and drawings placed along the wall.
"This camp is about working at a hands-on level and the students are able to do what they have been studying in a book," Beck said. "Kids are naturally curious about the world around them and an easy way to tap into that is science. If science is just out of a textbook, the students won't want to take science as an elective once they get into high school."
Adding physical activity to the camp, students were also given a challenge in the gymnasium.
A hula-hoop was placed feet away from the line and students were given objects like a wet sponge, a tennis ball, a plastic squeaky toy and a ping-pong ball. The object of the exercise was to teach students that each object had a different texture and weight.
The students were told to throw each object into the hula-hoop. They found out quickly that they had to use different techniques to throw each object.
With the success of the first year, Beck said she is already looking at next year being bigger and better. To have a better turnout and program, Beck is already enrolling students, noting that all of those enrolled before Christmas get 50 percent off the price. To enroll, contact Beck at beckt@vail.k12.az.us.
With about 900 camps nationwide, about 60,000 students a year participate in Camp Invention.
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