Coal Mountain Elementary Reinvents Summer Fun

(Photo credit: Coal Mountain Elementary)

STEM Camp at Coal Mountain Elementary submitted the following article.

The nationally acclaimed Camp Invention summer program was held at Coal Mountain Elementary July 8-11. Denise Webb, Coal Mountain Elementary Science and Literacy Resource Teacher directed the program. Inspired and influenced by the National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees, and sponsored by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention is a summer enrichment program for children entering grades one through six. The program creatively immerses and engages its participants through hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

"Based on feedback from thousands of school districts around the country, Camp Invention has earned a reputation as the leader in high-quality summer programming. This has helped the organization grow to a national program, serving over 80,000 children annually,” explains Michael J. Oister, Chief Executive Officer for Invent Now. “Over 90 percent of parents and educators surveyed observed improvements in their child’s and students’ outlook on learning and increased interest in using science to solve problems.”

This year’s Camp Invention program held at Coal Mountain was “Create” which features five modules including; Problem Solving on Plant Zak, Saving Sludge City, I Can Invent:  Launchitude; Imagination Point: Ride Physics Geo Games. Each day, children rotate through integrated modules that employ creative thinking to solve real-world challenges. Children learn vital 21st century life skills such as problem solving and teamwork through imaginative exploration.

In the Problem Solving on Planet ZAK® module, by teacher Laurie Anderson, children were immersed in the wondrous world of science fiction as they use their creative and critical-thinking skills to keep themselves safe and nourished after crash-landing on a strange planet. They first work together to "reassemble" their crashed spacecraft from a variety of common objects. Then, children assessed relevant weather data to design shelter and clothing during their stay on Planet ZAK and use Creative Problem Solving to reach an unusual, hard-to-find food source. Finally, they designed ways to launch their spacecraft in time for the countdown to blastoff.

Children were introduced to environmental science and the concept of conservation when they were challenged to rebuild a cleaner, more eco-friendly city that has been polluted to the point of ruin in the Saving Sludge City™ module, by teacher Kathryn Aylor.  Before construction begins, children investigated and recreated the actions that polluted the city and determine effective methods to clean it up. Participants explore green city design, water filtration systems, safe waste disposal, conservation techniques, and renewable energy as they completely reconstruct the town.

Then, in the Imagination Point: Ride Physics™ module, by Kara Hannah, the students conducted experiments learning about Newton’s Laws of motion.  Then, they went through a planning and design process to create their own roller coaster park.  

In the I Can Invent: Launchitude™ module, expedition teams are challenged to launch international rubber ducks to their country origin and race to destroy competitor duck territory! Teams put physics (trajectory and velocity) into practical use as they take apart broken appliances and re-engineer the gears and gadgets, along with up-cycled objects, to invent the ultimate Duck Chucking Device. Throughout the week, children will explore physics, entrepreneurship and invention though practical hands-on challenges.

The Geo-Games module combines physical activity and creativity. Children practice teamwork, cooperation, coordination and creative problem solving processes during fun, energetic games. Geo-Games activities embody the fact that all games can be modified with nontraditional approaches and made more exciting. Children create game pieces and sporting equipment from everyday items, employing the concept of up-cycling. Together, they will fuse global games and classic high-energy activities. Like all Camp Invention modules, winning and losing isn't important. Instead, this module stresses creative problem solving and encourages active physical participation that boosts self-confidence.

“I really hope I get to do this again next year,” said Braxton, a student.

“This is the best camp I have ever been to," said Cole, another student. "I am going to get all my friends from school to come back next year!”

“This has been a wonderful experience for everyone involved," said Denise Webb, director. "The students always left excited to come back the next day and continue working on their inventions. Many parents told me that all the way home their kids are telling about all the exciting things they did that day. Our team made it all possible. The teachers did a great job allowing the kids to explore, create, problem solve and refine teamwork skills. We also had wonderful Leadership Interns, high school students that lead each group of kids through the modules. We had a Counselor In Training that was a middle school student that helped assist the teachers. Our parent volunteers were a great help in advertising and assisting with the program. Lastly, the wonderful administration and Coal Mountain Elementary, Principal Debbie Smith and Assistant Principal Kim Fox allowed us to use the school for camp this summer.  They have been leading our school in inquiry based instruction and loved this opportunity for kids to practice these valuable skills during the summer."

“We had two really exciting results from our program. The students learned perseverance through challenges. Some ideas did not work, but through the process of things not working first, second and sometimes a third time, they learned to stick with it, learn from it and don’t give up. Secondly, just because the camp is over, the creativity continues. I had many parents tell me during the program that their kids were looking for things to take apart and invent something new. Even the day after the program was over, a parent told me their child asked them to buy some duck tape so he can create something with all the recycled materials he is collecting. Our reward can’t get any better than that," Webb said.

Even if a child has participated in Camp Invention in the past, each year they will benefit from an all-new curriculum, full of exciting adventures throughout the week.