Hi, my name is Rita Selle-Grider and you see me here with my daughter Clara. I am German and moved in 2000 with my American husband Brian and our daughter from Baden-Württemberg, Germany, to Ohio, USA.

We had planned to stay only for a couple of years while I would finish my doctorate in Education (with the focus in Human Relations) from the University in Tübingen. However, sometimes in life things happen totally different, yet, with not less hidden benefits and joy. While family needs brought my work to a halt and “resting stage”, it was also the time for our home education adventure. At the beginning our curriculum was “home-made” and very eclectic with a lot of exercises and ideas from Howard Gardener and Pam Schiller. After rather short interims in two private and an on-line school we have settled for the last several years with the Ohio Virtual Academy.

Our daughter, at present age ten, is an advanced learner with two grades ahead of her peers, and placed in 7th Grade. Her creativity and playfulness were the main factors that got me started in organizing invention work-shops. Other factors played a role as well: Fostering her convergent thinking skills (focusing ability) while benefiting from her sometimes challenging divergent thinking skills, such as moving quickly from one theme/object to another. The idea was to encourage creativity through various cognitive fun activities and to offer an outlet for creativity in a supportive and enhancing group environment. Working towards real (kids) invention competitions gave not only a purposeful goal, but also the experience of mastering deadlines.

Initially, I offered the Invention Workshops for our local home school group, and then later through The Arts Castle in Delaware, OH, as well as exclusively for OHVA students in the greater area. In 2008 we are extending another time to serve more kids and their families by offering more regular workshops and summer camps. In addition, we offer brainstorming services from a mastermind group (kids & adults) for enterprises and individuals who are in need of creative solutions. The joy and excitement doing so is on our side, especially sensing the need for a more and more important good, namely creativity.

Our Philosophy

The core belief at the Young Bright Minds & Inventors Academy is that each human being, kids and adults alike, is granted God-given creativity.

Although there are exceedingly creative people out there, for the majority, this creativity needs to be fostered and unleashed. Our belief is, that creativity should be nurtured from the early ages on through various stimuli, techniques, and exercises and actively pursued throughout life.

What is the Young Bright Minds & Inventors Academy?

The Young Bright Minds & Inventors Academy, short Bright Minds Academy, is first of all an educational program primarily for kids with a creative, imaginative, and inventive mind, but also for kids who want to develop these skills.

And second, the Bright Minds Academy is a place for businesses and companies to find creative support in form of brainstorming sessions for specific problem areas, as well as brainstorming ideas for new product or marketing ideas.

What is the target group from the Bright Minds Academy?

The programs gear towards kids, ages 6 to 17. Occasionally, younger kids are permitted to participate, depending on their creative and cognitive abilities.

What do I learn at the Bright Minds Academy?

You will learn:
1. Fun exercises and techniques to boost your creativity.
2. Mastermind thinking techniques
3. Brainstorming techniques
4. The nuts & bolts of inventing, which include also personal logbook documentation rules, interview & feedback techniques, as well as ideas for creating an appealing competition submission.

What is the benefit of joining the Bright Minds Academy classes, workshops and camps?

The benefits of joining the Invention Workshops and Kids Invention Summer Camps are multiple. The creative cognitive exercises, general brainstorming exercises, and mastermind techniques will enhance and propel academic and creative abilities.

Working in a group of like-minded can be very inspiring and rewarding. Having ones ideas constructively evaluated in a friendly and supportive environment is extremely valuable.

Furthermore, benefits are a keener sensibility for the environment and potential problems, problem solving, higher order thinking and research skills, application of skills, knowledge and the Scientific Method, detection of pattern and principles, persistence, overcoming of setbacks, self-confidence, fulfillment, optimism, and just having plain fun. Since the kids participate in real competitions the workshop can also lead up to honors, (high) monetary awards, and exciting relationships for the students.

Why was the Bright Minds Academy founded?

The Bright Minds Academy was created out of several reasons:
1. To support young minds in their creative endeavors and to assist them in providing opportunities for teen invention contests, teaching the nuts & bolts of inventing, and providing a creative and supportive environment for brainstorming and evaluation of their creative ideas.
Each eight-week invention workshop sequence has the goal for each kid to submit at least one innovative idea to a teen invention contest.
2. To train young minds in creative, mastermind, and goal setting techniques, which will enhance their overall academic performance.
3. To introduce younger kids to inventive thinking by creating/inventing theme-oriented objects apart from invention contests.
4. To give kids the opportunity to serve business entities and the community with their creativity.
5. To help bring great kid ideas on their way to get manufactured.
The Bright Minds Academy is thrilled to be able to support and equip young minds to take part in enhancing this world through their creative effort.

Where are the classes, workshops, and camps offered?

The programs are offered throughout the year. The locations may vary. Invention workshops are at present Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m., all other classes and workshops are on Saturdays. Please see the schedule under On One Glance for details.

Where are the Kids Invention Summer Camps offered?

The camps are offered throughout the summer months in various locations in the greater Columbus area. The primary location is the Log Cabin by the race track on the Delaware Fairgrounds, because it's a truly inspiring place.

What will be done in the Kids Invention Summer Camps?

In the Kids Invention Summer Camps we will meet five days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The kids will go through the workshop curriculum in a more intense way with additional times set for imaginary exercises and games, hands-on activities, crafts, and recreational (outdoor) exercises.