Today is 4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD) – a day dedicated to engaging kids with science through a hands-on science experiment. This year’s experiment – Motion Commotion – will be conducted by thousands of kids across the nation as they will learn about physics, speed and safety.
4-H has been fostering curiosity about science in youth since the very beginning. Today we are still dedicated to providing the hands-on experience in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) to give kids the life skills they need to succeed today and the career readiness to succeed tomorrow. Programs like 4-H NYSD offer youth an opportunity to learn about science in a fun, dynamic way and spark their interest in all areas of STEM; from animal science to aerospace.
Motion Commotion is a two-part experiment that investigates the physical and human factors of motion using toy cars to simulate a speeding car collision and distracted driving. During the experiment, youth will:
Construct a simulated runway to analyze the speed, momentum and kinetic energy of a car in motion, and explore the science behind the car’s collisions
Lead an experiment that uses the same physics principles to demonstrate the consequences of distracted driving
Apply what they have learned about physics and safety to create community awareness about issues like distracted driving, seatbelt safety and helmet safety.
The 4-H NYSD Experiment Kit contains everything you need to successfully complete the Motion Commotion National Science Experiment. The Motion Commotion science experiment kit can be purchased from the 4-H Mall, or contact your local UF IFAS Extension Office to see if a kit is available to check out for your club or classroom.
You can help 4-H grow curiosity in your community or school by becoming a 4-H volunteer. 4-H offers a wide range of opportunities for volunteers to share their science-related interests and passions. Together, we can grow the next generation of science literate workers, voters, and community activities! Visit http://florida4h.org/volunteers for more info.
Other places to get information:
Learn more about NYSD (download experiment guides, promotional toolkits, register your event, and apply for NYSD awards)
4-H began with agriculture in 1902 and over the past 100 years has grown to help youth learn about everything from agriculture to aerospace.
4-H began with the seed of an idea. In 1902, America needed folks to embrace new advances in agriculture. But leaders with open minds, strong hearts and willing hands weren’t in abundance. Luckily, kids were. By empowering the next generation to lead, 4-H took root, and grew. 4-H grew kids who are confident and strong; who are curious enough to question and capable enough to find the answer. We grew kids who stick to a job until the job gets done; who know how to work with others and most importantly, how to lead.
Over the century, 4-H has kept right on growing. We grew out of the farms and into the towns, suburbs, and cities. Today, 4-H exists anywhere curiosity roams and confidence thrives; anywhere technology can be advanced and achievement is valued. 4-H is anywhere positive change is possible and giving back moves entire communities forward.
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense that we began with farming. After all, true leaders aren’t born- they’re grown. Next week (October 4th-10th) marks National 4-H Week. This year, to celebrate, our blog will highlight how 4-H is growing Confidence, Curiosity, Compassion, Character, and Responsibility by sharing the stories of real Florida panhandle 4-H members, volunteers, and alumni. We hope that you will enjoy this series and that you will be inspired to make a difference in your community by sharing your skills, talents, and passions with other 4-H youth and volunteers. We hope you are inspired to cultivate 4-H so that it can keep right on growing for the next 100 years! For more information about 4-H, visit http://florida4h.org or contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office.
4-H Projects are about developing blue ribbon youth rather than blue ribbon projects.
Make a Difference Monday, our online volunteer training series, kicked off this past Monday night! This year’s series focuses on helping youth develop a sense of Mastery, one of the Essential Elements of a positive youth development. Mastery is all about building knowledge and skills and being able to demonstrate those skills and knowledge effectively. Mastery is developed over time through intentional 4-H project work, events and activities. The main goal of the 4-H Project is to help youth develop life skills, regardless of the subject matter content. Some of the important components of a project include:
The use of quality educational materials to guide youth through a planned sequence of learning activities (4-H curriculum and project guides)
Project work is guided and validated by supportive, trained, caring adult project mentors or leaders (4-H project leaders and resource leaders)
Youth have opportunities to share what they have learned with others through club or county demonstrations, exhibits, shows, and other contests. (Hint: tune in October 19th for an overview of 4-H events and activities and how they can support the project work of your club members)
Provide youth with opportunities to self-evaluate and gain a sense of accomplishment through project reports and the Florida 4-H awards and recognition model (Hint: tune in November 16th for an overview of our awards and recognition system and how project reports can help members with their portfolios for scholarships).
Here are some additional resources about 4-H projects, and how to use experiential learning to help develop life skills through 4-H project work:
In case you missed our live session, it was recorded and can be viewed online at http://florida4h.org/.madmondays. You can also check out our entire series schedule and find out how to connect from the comfort of your own home. We hope to “see you” online in October as we work together to “Make the best better!”
4-H embryology is a great way for school youth to learn about STEM and agriculture
For more than 100 years, 4-H clubs have been (and still are) the backbone of our youth development program. But did you know that 4-H also provides opportunities for youth to participate in programs during and after school? Not all youth have access to transportation to and from club meetings. 4-H school programs are a great way for those youth to glean the benefits of 4-H and to learn about other opportunities to be involved longer term.
Some examples of 4-H School programs offered in the 4-H Panhandle include:
Sometimes school programs such as 4-H Embryology or 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking are taught by teachers, using 4-H curriculum and resources with support from the 4-H Extension Agent. Other programs are coordinated with a team of volunteers and 4-H staff (such as 4-H Ag Awareness or Ag Literacy Week). County Extension offices offer training, curriculum, and equipment for teachers and volunteers interested in leading 4-H programs at local schools. In addition, these programs receive support from extension agents and UF IFAS specialists with subject matter expertise, so you can be sure that youth are receiving the most up to date, non-biased information available.
If you have skills that you would like to share with the next generation, consider partnering with your local school and 4-H program. To find out which opportunities are available in your area, contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office or visit http://florida4h.org/volunteers.
Tune in to see the impact UF IFAS Extension 4-H has on Florida’s youth. Don’t miss the awards banquet tonight at 6PM Eastern/5PM Central. During tonight’s program, you can see 4-Hers accept scholarships, watch the newly elected state officers inducted, and also see distinguished 4-H volunteers and stakeholders inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame! Two volunteers from the Florida Panhandle will be inducted tonight- Barry Hoffman from Leon County 4-H and Terry Stout from Okaloosa County 4-H. Both men have been volunteers at the club, county, district and state levels. They serve on both the Area A Horse Advisory Committee and the State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee and have supported the Florida 4-H Program for more than 20 years!
