Different learning activities are highlighted one day a week for six weeks in this pilot program. The challenge was to make a ball that won't stick to the catapult but will stick to the target. Club Invention serves children in second through fifth grades and is similar to Camp Invention, the nationally recognized summer program run by the NIHF and Inventure Place. Because of financial support and underwriting from FirstMerit Bank, there is no cost for the program. Kevin Conner, of FirstMerit, said supporting Club Invention is in keeping with FirstMerit's mission and focus on education in the community.
Kids are supervised and in a safe environment, and they're actually learning and doing something.
Club Invention was created as a way to extend the learning process of the school day in an inviting, hands-on environment that stresses the application of math and science skills. The program also meets standards for the Ohio State Proficiency Test. We're expanding across the state, and pilot programs are being developed for Connecticut and Washington. Local sponsors in those states, as well as government and state support, will be sought, since the program meets educational standards. The program focuses on different science or math skills each week, encouraging creative play and problem-solving.