This is 4-H National Youth Science Day

By CnAgri2012-10-11 19:35:45 Print

Millions of young people across the nation will become scientists for the day today, during the fifth annual 4-H National Youth Science Day. This annual event seeks to spark an early youth interest in science education and future careers, and to reclaim the nation's position of leadership in scientific exploration.

As part of 4-H NYSD, youth will participate in the 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge: the 2012 National Science Experiment at hundreds of local events taking place in all 50 states.

Designed by The Ohio State University Extension, this year's experiment will introduce youth to robotic engineering concepts as they build a mini robot to clean up a simulated environmental spill. The 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge will provide an opportunity for young people to learn early engineering principles and experience robotics in action.

"Our nation has fallen behind other countries in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council. "However, we believe that the solution to this problem lies in engaging youth early and often in exciting, hands-on exploration of timely scientific subjects to demonstrate that STEM isn't scary or intimidating, it's approachable and interesting.

In past years, 4-H NYSD experiments have tackled a variety of leading-edge scientific topics including; hydrogels, biofuels, water quality and wind power. Currently, more than five million young people across the nation participate in 4-H out-of-school programming, in-school enrichment programs and camps that offer a wide variety of engaging STEM educational opportunities-from agricultural and animal sciences to rocketry, robotics, renewable energy, environmental protection and computer science.

As part of the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and implemented by the nation's 111 land-grant colleges and universities, 4-H has been educating youth in the sciences for more than 100 years.

For more information on 4-H NYSD, visit www.4-H.org/NYSD.