The roots of 4-H run deep in the field of agriculture. During the past 10 years those roots have grown to include a focus on science technology engineering and math (STEM) activities. In 2008, 4-H hosted the first National Youth Science Day (NYSD) — the world’s largest youth-led science challenge — to give students a peek at these dynamic and interesting fields of study.
Ten years later,
West Virginia University Extension’s 4-H program has been tapped
to lead the 2018 NYSD challenge which will be held throughout October. WVU’s
program was chosen via a competitive selection process conducted by the National
4-H Council, USDA-NIFA and Google to serve as the lead land-grant university
for the event.
As part of this STEM program, a group from
WVU Extension 4-H will create curriculum and hands-on activities
focused around the theme of computer science. WVU Extension faculty are working
with Google team members to develop a challenge that introduces youth to coding
through both plugged and unplugged activities.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to lead 4-H’s National Youth Science Day
activities this year. Computer science is becoming increasingly embedded across
all industries, including medicine, fashion, entertainment and the agricultural
sector. Jobs in coding-related fields are growing at a faster rate than any other
occupation,” said Jennifer Robertson-Honecker, assistant professor and STEM specialist,
WVU Extension. “This year’s challenge provides such an opportunity
to help engage students in hands-on computer science activities, as well as introduce
them to a knowledge base that may help them with future career choices.”
The challenge will provide youth with “real-world” applications to coding and computer science by exploring real-life algorithms and block style coding. The project will also provide students with insights into major technological advances taking place within various industries as well as the types of jobs available in the field.
National Youth Science Day is aligned with WVU’s focus on providing
STEM readiness, including programs like
WVU Teach, the WVU Center for Excellence in STEM's
CodeWV and opportunities through the
WVU Statler College’s Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical
Engineering. The activity also provides opportunities for additional partnerships
with companies and organizations who support STEM initiatives.
Last year’s NYSD challenge focused on the theme “incredible wearables” in which
kids learned
about and built wearable fitness trackers. WVU Extension 4-H faculty and specialists
led NYSD activities in schools throughout West Virginia, as well as at various
4-H events.
WVU Extension’s 4-H program is located in all 55 counties in West Virginia
and serves more than 60,000 youths through clubs, camps and school-based programming.
For more information about WVU Extension visit
extension.wvu.edu
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