Jacks Valley Elementary School students Josiah Serrano, Wyatt Brock, Luke Peterson, and Liam Serrano show off their hydrodrop houses they designed during Camp Invention this past week.
Photo by Sarah Drinkwine.
It’s been two weeks since school let out in Douglas County and summer happenings are kicking off with Camp Invention.
Students in kindergarten to fifth-grade invented their own games, designed a glow box, engineered tiny houses and crops, and created working prototypes of an idea during Camp Invention hosted at Jacks Valley Elementary School.
Camp invention is a STEM summer camp led by local educators offering hands-on experiences and the opportunity to be creative and have fun.
Jacks Valley Elementary School kindergarten teacher Becky Goins said students started each day with a challenge and had to create something using tools that are not traditional tools, like cardboard to create a tool box
“It’s a way to get them to think creatively and use the tools that are available to them,” said Jacks Valley Kindergarten teacher Becky Goins.
In the game room, students teamed up to explore the connection of science and sports by designing a game board and a ball.
“We talked about texture, color, shape, but really it’s anything they can possibly imagine,” said Goins. They come up with their own rules, shapes and challenges. It’s been fun, they’re really loving it.”
Similarly, in another challenge students had to design a working glow box with circuits and discovered different forms of light using different colors, transparent paper and shapes.
In the operation hydrodrop, students discovered real-world water challenges and engineered tiny houses with crops to explore water-based technology and sustainability.
“Basically they chose a problem, then designed a solution and then built it,” said Jacks Valley Speech Pathologist Christen Wilks. “Some students chose to design an animal rescue and built a raft for when the flood is over, another chose to do the drought scenario and designed a way for people to always be on the move so they built a house on wheels.”
Students said each challenge was interesting and fun and they learned a lot during the camp.
Summer Adventures
Adventure Camp 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday at Piñon Hills through July 12, Jacks Valley Elementary School July 15-Aug. 15. In town, camp will be at Minden Elementary School through July 12 and at Gardnerville Elementary School July 15-Aug. 15. Cost, $165 per child per week or $132 for sessions 1, 3 and 9. Visit https://douglascountynv.hosted.civiclive.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=12493164&pageId=12559676 for more information and to register online or call the Douglas County Community Center for more information at 775-782-5500.
•Toddler Time at the Douglas County Community Center 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 27 cost, $3 per child. The East Fork Firefighters will show off fire engines, how to stop, drop, and roll, and more. For this toddle time, elementary school kids are welcome.
• Horse Camp on June 29 is a two hour camp session for the true beginner who has never handled a horse. Cost, $50 per person. Email agadvantage.aged@gmail.com for more information.
• Northwest Martial Arts’ “Splash-tactular” water week is 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Aug. 12 to Aug. 16 located at 1267 US Highway 395 Suite J Gardnerville.
• CBP Aerial arts & Bob Boldrick Theatre present The Lion King 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Carson City Community Center. Visit https://cbp-aerial-arts.ticketleap.com/the-lion-king/ for more information.
