Hands-on STEM Learning That Meets Kids Where They Are
Invent the Summer’s online challenges give kids ages 12 and under the chance to imagine, design, and build from home. This program breaks down barriers to hands-on learning so every child can access meaningful engineering experiences, no matter their background.
A Peek Inside Our Weekly Challenges
Every challenge follows the same rhythm of creativity, inspiration, and peer learning. This structure keeps kids engaged and connected week after week.
Each week begins with a brand-new engineering challenge designed and presented by our youth leaders.
Challenge Revealed
Kids start each challenge with a simple design process:
- brainstorming solutions
- building and testing prototypes
- revising designs based on what works
- sharing a short video of their creation
Solutions Presented
Kids learn by seeing how others approach the same challenge:
- watching real solutions from other participants
- learning how common obstacles were solved
- voting for their favorite designs
Winners Announced
Friendly competition keeps kids engaged and motivated through:
- time-bound building challenges
- creative interpretation of open-ended rules
- points awarded for participation and engagement
No kits, no required materials, and no wrong answers.
Just creativity, exploration, and the joy of making something unique.
Why Online Challenges Work
Hands-on STEM enrichment often depends on time, transportation, and access to resources. Our online model removes these barriers and makes out-of-school engineering experiences possible for more families.
Designed For Real Families
- flexible for busy schedules
- free and accessible anywhere
- open to all skill levels, ages 12 and under
- low-pressure and confidence-building
Skills Kids Develop
- thinking creatively to solve problems
- persevering when ideas do not work the first time
- communicating their ideas clearly
- STEM confidence and identity
Kids don’t need a makerspace to be makers.
They need encouragement, a challenge to solve, and a few materials from the recycling bin.
What Families Say
“Invent the Summer was such a gift for us. It felt like summer learning disguised as pure fun. I loved watching my kids get totally absorbed in the challenges every week, and I especially appreciated that we didn’t have to buy anything. They just raided the recycling bin and got to work!”
“My son started the summer too shy to appear on camera. By the end, he was writing himself scripts, explaining his ideas, and showing off his inventions. His creativity and confidence grew more than I ever expected.”
“My daughter has always been artistic, but never saw herself as a ‘STEM kid.’ She tried an Invent the Summer challenge because her friends were having so much fun. It turned out to be the perfect fit. She discovered that creativity and problem-solving go hand in hand. Now she’s proudly working toward her Engineering Badge in Girl Scouts!”
A Scalable, High-Impact Model
Because challenges use household materials and are delivered digitally, this model is cost-effective to run, easy for communities to adopt, and sustainable for the long term.
Scale across towns, districts, and states
Support schools, libraries, and community programs
Remain free for families
Grow annually with new youth-created content
Ways to Engage With Invent the Summer
Families, volunteers, organizations, and funders engage with our programs in different ways as part of our year-round mission.
Families
Join our summer challenges or explore hands-on activities at home.
Volunteers
Help guide our youth leaders and assist with year-round creative and operational projects.
Organizations
Bring our workshops or STEM programming to your school, library, or organization.
Funders
Help keep Invent the Summer free and accessible for all families.