By Brandi Makuski

A nationally-recognized summer STEM program is returning for a second year to McDill Elementary.

Camp Invention, a week-long summer day camp for students entering grades one through six, is supported by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and a product of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and implemented by the school district.

Principal Jeanne Koepke said the program uses STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) principals in a fun and creative environment.

“It’s all about project building, creative thinking and thinking outside the box,” Koepke said. “It gives [students] a chance to work as a team, build and create and use their skills.”

The Camp Invention program operates Aug. 1-5 from 8:30 AM to 3 PM and costs $220.

Students will explore the world of giant insects and colorful animals, construction of a solar-powered cricket and the science behind slime, demolition, electronic sound and coding.

Koepke said McDill was chosen due to its centralized location.

“If we can give kids opportunity to create and explore, you bet you can use my space any chance you get,” she said Friday.

Space for the program is limited, but registration is available at campinvention.org.

For more information contact October Penner in the school district’s IT department at (715) 345-5511. Penner can also be contacted via email at [email protected]