Club Invention has taken over part of Millennium Charter Academy this week as kids learn about science, history and creative thinking.

The four-day camp, which is designed for rising first- through sixth-graders, asks participants to work together to form solutions to different problems by using principles based in science. During the camp, they will take part in three different modules.

In one module, they will build an ultimate land sled which will run an obstacle course at the end of the week to determine a victor. For the rising first- through third-graders, the land sled’s base is a finger skateboard. The goal will be to get the sled to run the course without dislodging a stuffed monkey. For the older participants, the sled will be an actual skateboard which one person will have to ride through the course.

Throughout the week, participants will work together to complete challenges. Each completed challenge earns them points which they can then use to purchase equipment to built their sleds. One of the challenges the first day was to build a shield to protect themselves from water balloons. Those who were driest at the end of the water balloon fight earned points.

“I hope to finish my land sled (by the end of the week),” said Elizabeth Marion, one of the participants.

In another module, the Viking Treasure Trek, participants have to build a boat that will float through water while carrying treasure, in the form of washers. They will also have to solve logic puzzles and use compasses in order to reach the treasure. For the older participants, the only way they can move their boat is by blowing on the sail while the younger kids can give their boat a push to get it started.

The third module is called Recess Remix. It asks participants to look at traditional games in a new way by combining the rules to create new games. On Wednesday, they will make up a brand new game of their own and work out the logistics so they can play it on Thursday, the final day of the camp.

“I hope to successfully finish all of my challenges,” said Elizabeth Campbell of her goal of the end of the week. “We have to build a land sled and a boat to carry treasure.”

While the participants are having fun this week, they are also learning about science and history. Through the land sled challenge, they are learning about force and motion while the Viking task is teaching them about history.

“It’s a little bit of history, a little bit of science and we’re having our creative skills tested,” said Sarah Shepherd.

“My hope is that they would look at activities differently. I hope they will take it up a level and connect it with history and tie it with the forces of motion,” said Bethany Shepherd, who helped bring the event to the school.

All of the activities are aligned with the national and state standards for education and are taught by local educators. This week’s camp is led by Lori Spencer, third grade teacher at MCA, and Cassie Robacker, fifth grade teacher at MCA.

“The one thing I like about this from a parent’s perspective is these are certified teachers,” said Shepherd. “It’s cool that we have a summer adventure program that’s fun but not all just for fun.”

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.