Experiment, build, invent

The STEM and Innovation SIA covers science, technology, engineering and maths — plus the inventive thinking that ties them together. Coding, robotics, experiments, electronics, design challenges: this is where curious minds get to tinker properly.

How it works

Young people choose a STEM question or challenge that interests them, set their own goals and plan the project with their unit leaders. They experiment, build and problem-solve their way through, then review what worked, what didn’t and what they discovered. Failed experiments count too — reflection is part of the process.

Ideas to get started

• Joey Scouts: build the tallest tower you can from recycled materials
• Cub Scouts: run a series of kitchen-science experiments and record the results
• Scouts: program a robot or microcontroller to complete a simple camp task
• Venturers: design and 3D-print a gadget that solves a real problem at camp
• Rovers: mentor a STEM night for younger sections or enter a state competition
• Any section: investigate the science behind a campfire, a compass or a water filter

Why it matters

STEM projects teach systematic thinking, resilience when things break, and the thrill of figuring things out. These are skills our world needs more of.

Try this

Pick something at your next camp and ask “how does that actually work?” Then find out.