LEAVITTSBURG — When Bascom Elementary kindergarten teacher Stephanie Walton was attending Hiram College in 2010, she was a leadership intern and counselor for Camp Invention.
“I loved that program and thought that maybe when I became a teacher I would be able to offer this program at my school,” she said.
That wish has come true as the camp, which allowed for constructing robots and other items, took place last week at Bascom School and concluded with students taking home their inventions and creations.
She said the program, which marked its fifth year, was approved by school officials and funding was found to offer it each summer.
“I was given the green light to do what I needed to do to get it started. There are expenses for it so we do rely on scholarships from the Parent Teacher Organization at the school. They helped me that first year with 42 students,” Walton said.
This year the camp had 96 students in grades kindergarten to six, mostly from LaBrae, but children from Champion, Poland, Maplewood and Niles also participate.
“The camp is different enough from a regular school day. The whole idea is students get to be creative. Every module they take part in teaches something different. One module was showing how to use a trademarks and patents and protecting ideas,” Walton said.
She said students learn about famous inventors who have been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, which supports the camp program.
“I hope the students get excitement out of the program and that their ideas matter. At the end of the week, they feel like they can even create something,” Walton said.
She said students learn that even if they are young, they can solve problems.
“I love inventing, I love all the teachers,” said Rosalee Natale, 9, a fourth-grader, who was in the program last year.
Jaxson Perkins, 10, fifth grade, said he has attended the program for the past five years.
“I love science and STEM and getting to build. My friends ask me what I get to build in the program,” Jaxson said.
Walton said teachers from the elementary and high school instructed the camp.
“It’s nice the high school teachers are here helping since they are not used to the younger students,” she said.
Joe Slifka, who instructs the robotics program at the high school, brought high school students to help build the robots.
Activities focus on DNA, wheel bearings and applying weight.
“Each module builds upon itself. On Monday, they started the projects and each day continued working on it with a finished project on Friday. Outside the main projects, there are experiments and activities,” Walton said.
“It’s an amazing program. This is an oppprtunity for our kids to get to use their creativity and hands-on learning to learn science and engineering concepts. The kids love it. The camp grows every year,” Bascom Principal Maggie Kowach said.
She said the camp provides an introduction for elementary students to learn about the school district’s robotics program.
“This gets the students at the elementary level something to look forward to with robotics programs. It piques their interest,” Kowach said.
Funding also has come from the Thomas Family Endowment, the Reinberger Foundation and a grant from the Ohio Department of Education.