ShawneeDispatch.com

Exploring a new planet, saving a city from pollution and creating roller coasters were just a week’s worth of work for first- through sixth-graders at Camp Invention.

De Soto USD 232 played host to 56 campers last week at Mize Elementary.

This is the first year the district has offered the weeklong day camp, which focuses on enrichment in science, math, history and art with hands-on activities.

The Create Program, one of three Camp Invention programs, focused on problem-solving and brainstorming to complete five activities in one week.

In “Problem Solving on Planet ZAK” campers used creative and critical thinking to rebuild their spacecraft after crashing on a strange planet. Campers used a variety of recyclables to create their new space ship. Campers had to navigate the planet in search of food and shelter.

In “Saving Sludge City” campers saved a city from the adult pollution that has wreaked havoc. Campers explored ecology, green design and created a water filtering system for the city.

Kathy McBride, who organized the camp, said campers discussed ways to work together to stop pollution.

“It’s amazing the number of young environmentalists with ideas of expanding to be more environmentally conscious,” she said.

In “Imagination Point: Ride Physics” campers created a roller coaster for an amusement park. Campers explored Newton’s three laws of motion and the concept of inertia while creating their rides.

In “I Can Invent: Fantasy Inventions & Complicated Machines II” campers disassembled machines brought from home to create new inventions.

Younger campers drew upon their own creativity to make an all-new invention, while older campers worked in groups following instructions to build a machine to crack an egg.

Aiden Baehr, Mize third-grader, brought in an old VCR to create a bug sprayer.

“I learned that capacitors are dangerous,” he said. “And don’t pollute.”

“Recess Remix” offered campers a twist on traditional recess activities, such as using water balloons.

Quinn Sheehan, Horizon Elementary fifth-grader, came to camp to explore his creativity.

“My favorite activity was probably the roller coaster,” he said. “You get to use gravity and physics to make roller coasters.”

Three high school and college students served as camp counselors, assisting the three district teachers leading the program. McBride said the teachers and counselors were a huge asset to the program running smoothly.

“We had several parents comment how engaged the kids are and how they raved about it (the camp) at home,” she said.

Becca James, a recent De Soto High School graduate, was one of the counselors.

“They (campers) had great ideas,” she said. “The activities got them thinking about pollution, brainstorming and problem solving in teams.”

Activities culminated Friday with an Inventors Showcase for parents. Groups debuted their inventions and showed off their new green habits.

“There were a lot of diverse activities,” McBride said. “I can’t imagine something you didn’t love.”

Next year, McBride anticipates the district will offer Camp Inventions second installment, the Discover Program, as well as the Create Program.

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