Area youth partake in STEM summer camp

Last week, area youth had the opportunity to partake in a week-long camp dedicated to teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) core concepts and principles. Camp Invention took place at the Buffalo Middle School from July 8 - 12, where classrooms were turned into studios and laboratories that stimulated the creative imaginations and sharpened the minds of these young inventors. 

Kids who participated in Camp Invention ranged from kindergarten age to students entering 6th grade. Camp Invention offers four unique core areas where kids build, create, and invent. Supplies for the camp were shipped from the main office of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. All totaled, 367 pounds of materials, everything a child needs to bring their imagination to life, from glow- in-the-dark pens to cardboard boxes, ice pop sticks to pipe cleaners, were sent to the Buffalo Middle School. 

Key Learning Areas:

Educational projects were separated into four components. In the “Let’s Glow” studio, students built one-of-a-kind “Glow Boxes,” where they designed and created slides that were placed into a small cardboard box with a switch in back that illuminated the interior when turned on, showing off the unique designs of each one. Through the project, students learned about the science of light. 

Students studied how the power of water plays a role on our planet through “Operation Hydrodrop,” where they customized a robotic lab-on-wheels to assist in their exploration. 

The “Prototyping” studio was a busy place where campers starred as contestants on a game show and completed a series of prototyping challenges, which allowed them to tap into their imagination and learn about engineering. 

Through “In the Game,” students learned about the laws of physics as they designed and constructed a game similar to Skee-ball®. Campers were tasked with the challenge of designing and creating their own ball to be used with the game, along with varying the size of each hole on the game board to increase the level of difficulty while learning the operations of physics in the process. Students then had the opportunity to stand in front of their instructors and peers and present on the games they created, how they operated, and the processes involved in their architecture.

Community Education:

This summer was the first time that Camp Invention had been held in Buffalo. Camp Director Dana Botz stated that she had worked with Camp Invention at previous locations and felt that Buffalo would be a great place to bring the camp. With the help of Community Education Adult and Youth Enrichment Coordinator, Bridget Lindeman, Camp Invention was added as part of the Youth Enrichment Program through Community Education, which helped to spread the word to parents about the unique opportunity for area kids.

Director Botz stated that Camp Invention received generous donations from the Buffalo Rotary Club and the Hanover and Montrose Lions Clubs. The donations helped to fund scholarships that allowed more students to experience learning and growth in this distinctive environment. In total, 49 students, along with parent and high school volunteers, worked to give the kids at the STEM camp a week filled with learning, friendship, and fun. Camp Invention will return to Buffalo next summer with hopes of hosting the camp in July.