PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A summer camp that focuses on STEM-based activities returned this past week to help empower the next generation of inventors.
Camp Invention, a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, brought back in-person activities to the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Campus Center after a fully virtual program in 2020.
Camp director Sarah Sines noted that although Camp Invention offered virtual and in-person options this summer, all 43 students chose to attend in person. That number far surpasses the 11 students from Aroostook who took part in virtual camps last year.
“Last year’s camp was fun, but the excitement is back this year,” Sines said. “When they’re in person, the kids get to exchange ideas and learn from each other.”
The grades K to 6 camp featured four “modules” that students rotated through every day during the week of June 28-July 2. Throughout all four modules — Open Mic, Solar Bot, Duck Chuck and Road Rally — students completed daily challenges that asked them to design and modify inventions to accomplish a specific task.
In the Duck Chuck challenge, students used their choice of materials, such as rubber bands, string, cardboard boxes and tape, to launch rubber ducks “around the world.”
“We’re helping them find their way home,” said Haven Allen, 7, a first-time Camp Invention participant.
Bea Rathbun, 11, (left) and Marla Anderson, 9, test their self-invented cars during Camp Invention. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
Hannah Argraves, 8, (left, standing), Abra Connell, 8, and Hazel Kelley, 8 test out their inventions on “water” during the SolarBot challenge of Camp Invention. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
During the Wednesday, June 30, session of camp, Allen said that her slingshot succeeded because of extra practice she has put into her invention skills.
“I made my own slingshot at home to investigate what works,” Allen said.
In Road Rally, students design and create their own tiny “vehicles” before showcasing their inventions in an obstacle course. Izabella Letarte-Suitter, age 10, was excited to once again experience the joys of creativity alongside her fellow inventors.
“I like taking stuff apart and seeing what’s inside. We get to explore and design new things,” Letarte-Suitter said.
Through Camp Invention, students learn about creativity, teamwork, science, technology and problem-solving in ways that are engaging and help them think of the real-world work involved with invention, Sines said..
“Every time they’re given a challenge, they have to invent something and modify their invention when something doesn’t work right,” Sines said. “Life is all about challenges, so [Camp Invention] teaches them to not give up and face problems head on.”
Camp Invention “leader in training” Brodie Merritt, 12, assists camper Rylan Reed, 12, with his “car” during the Road Rally session on Wednesday. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
Emmett Allen, 9, and Lucy Rathbun, 9, test out their self-invented cars during Camp Invention on Wednesday. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
Correction: A previous version of this story included a photo caption in which Brodie Merritt’s name was misspelled.
