Last summer, I had the pleasure of creating a series of summer camps for local kids that provided an amazing look at some of the STEM happening in our area. This year, I am planning something a little different.
I became aware of the movement inspired by “Caine’s Arcade” about a year ago, but it wasn’t until our family had the chance to visit Caine and the arcade he created, this past Easter, that I realized how amazing his innovation really is.
On our trip home from Los Angeles, I resolved to bring this invention experience to kids in our community. What better way to introduce kids to the fun of invention, engineering, electronics, and programming than through the design of an ARCADE of their own making!
If you are not familiar with ‘Caine’s Arcade’, I urge you to watch the video below.
Cardboard Arcade Challenge – inspired by the “Caine’s Arcade” movement. 6-10 kids will conceive, design, and build a full-blown Arcade, using only cardboard and recycled materials. Participants will visit up to 5 arcades as field research to identify the components for their own arcade design. In addition, kids will be introduced to the PicoCricket Programmable Invention Toolkit, that will allow them to include programmable sensors, lights, and sounds to their Arcade Design. At the end of the week, parents and families will be invited to attend the Cardboard Arcade, developed during the camp.
This camp will incorporate all aspects of STEAM learning – Science, Technology, Engineeering, Arts, and Math and your kids will have TONS OF FUN!!!
Session 1: Rising 2nd-3rd graders , June 24-29, 9:30am – 2:30pm; $200
Session 2: Rising 4th-5th graders, July 8-12 , 9:00am – 3:30pm; $250
FIRST LEGO League LEGO Robotics Team Preparation:
FLL Robotics is an amazing STEM enrichment program that involves programming an autonomous robot to solve multiple challenges on a table with obstacles related to a theme. In addition to building and programming a robot, teams must complete a research project relating to the theme for the season. This year (13/14) the theme of FIRST LEGO League is “Nature’s Fury”, and teams will explore the awe-inspiring storms, quakes, waves and more that we call natural disasters. Teams will discover what can be done when intense natural events meet the places people live, work, and play. Brace yourself for NATURE’S FURY!
This camp will help to prepare students to compete on an FLL team for the 2013 season, through LEGO Robotics building and programming instruction as well as field research related to natural disasters and emergency preparedness.
Session 1: Rising 4th – 5th graders, July 15-20, 9am – 3pm, $250
Session 2: Rising 4th – 6th graders, August 5-9, 9am – 3pm, $250
