by Kelly Rogge
Creativity is being inspired during Kansas City Kansas Community College’s weeklong summer camp, Camp Invention.
Camp Invention is designed for rising first through sixth graders as a way to help them explore, tinker with ideas and be creative. There are two sessions this summer at KCKCC. The first is July 20-24 at the KCKCC-Leavenworth Campus, 255 Cherokee St. The second is July 27-31 at the KCKCC Main campus, 7250 State Ave.
Each session is from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and tuition is $200. Discounts are available. Campers need to bring a sack lunch each day.
“This is a great way for students to have fun, invent and explore projects that are out of the norm,” said Pamela Howe, coordinator of community education at KCKCC. “Camp Invention helps to bring out the creative and imaginative skills in a student.”
Camp Invention is a national program created by the National Inventors Hall of Fame that KCKCC has hosted since 2008. Students who participate will use real tools, circuits and materials from the Inventor Supply Room to build their own original prototypes.
They work in teams to rotate among different modules, allowing them to build upon what they learned the previous day. Activities center on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts. This year students will get to create a personalized motor-powered vehicle, take apart electronics to construct an insect-themed pinball machine and discover inspiration from other inventors from around the world.
Camp Invention is the only nationally accredited summer enrichment day experience for elementary-aged children. Local certified educators lead all activities during the camp. Since 1990, more than 1,200 sites have been served in 49 states.
For more information or to register, call 913-288-7660. Those who are interested can complete the registration by going to the KCKCC website, www.kckcc.edu and selecting “Programs,” and then “Continuing Education Schedule.” Select “Courses,” and the registration information for the Main Campus is under “Youth Programs.” Registration for KCKCC-Leavenworth is under “Leavenworth Center.”
Information about Camp Invention is available at campinvention.org.
Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at Kansas City Kansas Community College.