Project Spotlight: ReInventors

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.

ReInventors is an 8-week Stage 3 project that invites young makers to explore the secret lives of everyday materials. It’s hands-on, curious, and low-pressure. Instead of diving straight into big builds, learners spend time investigating objects, noticing hidden details, experimenting with movement and texture, and gathering their own collection of parts. Bit by bit, they begin to understand how things work — and how they can make things work differently.

This project is perfect for learners who love tinkering, building, inventing, imagining, or simply fiddling with the bits and pieces that most people overlook. And for learners who feel overwhelmed by big STEM tasks, ReInventors offers a slower, gentler entry point that turns making into something playful instead of stressful.

A Project Built on Curiosity

Every week adds a new layer:

• Week 1 starts with collecting — finding interesting shapes, textures, and scraps that spark ideas.

• Week 2 invites learners to become “Object Analysts,” using simple investigations to discover clues about how ordinary things are made.

• Week 3 moves into hidden mechanisms: hinges, joins, sliders, wheels, and the clever design secrets hiding inside everyday objects.

• Week 4 becomes a Maker Skills Lab, where learners try tiny builds, test joins, experiment with movement, and find out what their materials can really do.

And then comes the turning point:

• Week 5 introduces the first real prototype — a small, messy, experimental build that gives learners a taste of invention.

• Week 6 slows everything down again, helping learners reflect, plan, and choose an invention direction.

• Week 7 begins the final build, focusing on the core structure and one important feature.

• Week 8 brings it all together in a finished invention and a simple showcase for their Case File.

The result isn’t a polished model or a perfect machine. It’s something far more meaningful: a creation built from curiosity, exploration, and imagination.

What Makes ReInventors Special

ReInventors isn’t about engineering ability, precision, or “getting it right.” It’s about:

• noticing

• experimenting

• trying ideas

• asking questions

• making tiny discoveries

• building confidence

• following creative instincts

It’s intentionally flexible, so every learner can approach it in a way that feels safe, achievable, and enjoyable. Some learners build mini gadgets. Others create tiny worlds or character props. Others experiment with hinges and movement. All of these pathways are valid.

And because everything is documented in a Project Case File, families end the project with a powerful record of learning — not just the final invention, but the thoughts, tests, and discoveries that led there.

Why Kids Love It

ReInventors gives learners permission to:

• follow their interests

• explore materials they’re naturally drawn to

• make mistakes

• build small

• change their mind

• play

• invent things that don’t exist yet (and maybe shouldn’t!)

The missions are short, playful, and neuro-affirming. The optional Idea Generator adds an extra layer of fun, helping learners roll dice to spark wild combinations and new inventions. And the final invention feels like a real accomplishment — because it grows from their own thinking, not from a set of instructions.

Why Parents Love It

ReInventors is easy to run at home:

• no special materials required

• short weekly missions

• flexible documentation

• clear steps each week

• low-pressure entry points

• strong curriculum alignment

• meaningful evidence for homeschool reporting

And because everything builds gradually, even anxious or reluctant makers stay engaged.

A Project for Tinkerers, Dreamers, and Quiet Inventors

ReInventors is perfect for learners who love:

• taking things apart

• imagining new gadgets

• building tiny models

• experimenting with movement

• collecting bits and pieces

• creating unusual objects

• exploring how things work

But it also works beautifully for kids who don’t see themselves as “makers” — because the project starts small, stays gentle, and builds confidence step by step.

If your learner is curious, creative, and always full of ideas (even if they’re not sure what to do with them yet), ReInventors gives them a place to explore, experiment, and bring something unique into the world.

Explore ReInventors today.