About the Course
Did you know the idea for the microwave all started with a candy bar? Inventor Percy Spencer was standing in front of a magnetron when he noticed his chocolate treat was melting in his pocket. When Spencer held a bag of corn kernels next to the magnetron and they started popping, he knew he was on to something. This course will teach you about inventors like Spencer, their creations, and their impacts on our world. If you're the kind of kid who likes to take things apart to figure out how they work, this is the class for you. You'll deconstruct household gadgets to understand the science of simple machines, create your own products and apply for mock patents, collaborate with your fellow inventors, work in teams to create hovercrafts or design more effective burglar alarms, and chronicle your progress in a journal. It might even spark an idea for your own groundbreaking innovation.
Typical Class Size: 12
Learning Objectives
- Investigate, analyze, and demonstrate the role of simple machines in historic inventions
- Design, build, and test a variety of inventions made from simple and complex machines, both individually and collaboratively, including a student-designed Rube Goldberg machine
- Measure and interpret the results of experiments conducted on inventions created in class, and make adjustments that will improve efficiency and/or function of the invention
- Evaluate competing design solutions based on jointly developed and agreed-upon design criteria of fellow inventors
- Propose a unique invention through a simulated U.S. patent process; build and test a prototype; and create an advertisement for their unique invention
- Research and share the historical significance of creative inventions from diverse inventors around the globe, and their impacts on society
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
In Person
Gilman School
Baltimore, MD
Day Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Famous STEM Inventors: True stories of famous young inventors, by Sumita Mukherjee
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 8, 2026
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Famous STEM Inventors: True stories of famous young inventors, by Sumita Mukherjee
Saint Andrew's School
Boca Raton, FL
Day Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Filling up fast! 1 spots left
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Famous STEM Inventors: True stories of famous young inventors, by Sumita Mukherjee
The Woods Academy
Bethesda, MD
Day Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Famous STEM Inventors: True stories of famous young inventors, by Sumita Mukherjee
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid