Project Spotlight: ReInventors
ReInventors: A Project for Curious, Creative Makers
Most of us walk past the little things - broken toys, bottle caps, loose parts - without a second thought.
ReInventors invites learners to stop for a moment and ask, “What else could this be?”
That small question opens the door to eight weeks of creative discovery.
If your learner loves tinkering, collecting, or building in their own way, you can explore ReInventors here.
What is Reinventors?
ReInventors is an 8-week project for Years 5–6 learners that turns everyday materials into opportunities for invention.
Instead of jumping straight into big builds, learners begin by:
noticing details
experimenting with materials
exploring how things move and connect
gathering their own collection of parts
Over time, those small explorations grow into something bigger - an original invention shaped by their own ideas.
This makes it especially powerful for learners who:
feel overwhelmed by traditional STEM tasks
prefer hands-on, exploratory learning
need time to build confidence before creating
A project built on curiosity (not pressure)
Each week adds a new layer, slowly and intentionally:
Week 1: Collecting and noticing
Week 2: Investigating how objects are made
Week 3: Discovering hidden mechanisms
Week 4: Testing materials and movement
Then, gently:
Week 5: First prototype (messy, experimental, low-stakes)
Week 6: Reflecting and choosing a direction
Week 7: Building the core idea
Week 8: Final creation + showcase
Nothing is rushed. Nothing needs to be perfect.
You can take a closer look at how the project works here.
What makes ReInventors different
This isn’t a “follow the instructions and get the same result” kind of project.
It’s about:
noticing
experimenting
trying ideas
making small discoveries
building confidence over time
Every learner’s pathway looks different, and that’s the point.
Some create gadgets.
Some build tiny worlds.
Some explore movement and mechanics.
All of it counts.
Why kids actually stick with it
ReInventors works because it removes the pressure that usually shuts kids down.
Learners are free to:
follow their interests
build small (and stay small if they want)
change direction
experiment without “getting it wrong”
invent things that don’t exist
The optional Idea Generator adds playful structure, helping learners who get stuck without taking over their ideas.
Why it works for parents too
ReInventors is designed to be easy to run at home:
no special materials required
short, manageable weekly missions
clear structure without rigidity
built-in documentation
strong curriculum alignment
By the end, you’re not left wondering “does this count?”
You have a Project Case File that shows:
thinking
experimentation
progress
and learning over time
Who this project is perfect for
ReInventors works especially well for learners who:
take things apart just to see how they work
collect random bits and pieces
enjoy building, tinkering, or fiddling
have lots of ideas but don’t know where to start
feel hesitant about “big” projects
It also works surprisingly well for kids who don’t see themselves as makers because it starts small and builds gently.
A gentle starting point for big ideas
If your learner is curious, creative, and full of ideas (even if they’re not sure what to do with them yet), this project gives them space to explore without pressure.
Explore ReInventors and see if it feels like the right fit for your learner.
