Innovation Camp
Education
Aruba
2024
The Innovation Camp was a two-week summer program designed to inspire young minds aged 8 to 11 through immersive learning experiences. Focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the camp blended interactive workshops, field trips, and creative projects to teach sustainable development, design thinking, and personal responsibility. Participants engaged in activities like prototyping solutions and presenting their ideas at a community exhibition, fostering critical thinking and creativity.
Summary
The Innovation Camp offered an engaging mix of classroom learning, hands-on projects, and real-world exploration. Each day was thoughtfully structured, progressing from building connections and brainstorming ideas to designing solutions and showcasing final projects. Field trips to local sustainability initiatives and guest speakers brought global challenges to life, while guided workshops introduced participants to design thinking and changemaking. By the end of the camp, students developed actionable projects that reflected their understanding of SDGs and their potential to create meaningful impact.
Challenge
The main challenges included:
- Delivering complex concepts like sustainability and design thinking in a way that was accessible and engaging for young learners.
- Balancing educational content with creative freedom to ensure students remained inspired and motivated.
- Coordinating logistics, including field trips, materials, and guest speakers, while maintaining a cohesive and impactful program.
Solutions
Makerpedia addressed these challenges through:
- Progressive Learning Modules: The camp was designed to gradually introduce SDGs and design thinking, allowing students to build confidence and skills over time.
- Interactive Activities: Each day featured a mix of activities like field trips, collaborative brainstorming sessions, and prototyping workshops to keep participants engaged.
- Community Integration: Guest speakers and local field trips provided real-world context, helping students connect their projects to broader global issues.
- Exhibition and Reflection: The camp concluded with a student-led exhibition, giving participants an opportunity to present their projects to the community and celebrate their accomplishments.