Miami-Dade Extension 4-H hosts National Youth Science Day at Horace Mann Middle School
(MIAMI, October 29, 2012) – On October 10th, 81 students at Horace Mann Middle School became scientists for the day during the fifth annual 4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD). As part of 4-H NYSD, youth participated in the 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge: the 2012 National Science Experiment.
Designed by The Ohio State University Extension, this year's experiment introduced youth to robotic engineering concepts as they program a robot to clean up a simulated environmental spill. The 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge demonstrated that by utilizing engineering principles, youth can have a positive impact on communities and ecosystems.
Students assembled their own Eco-Bots and surface controls to manage an environmental clean-up. Youth were able to learn more about the engineering design process and various ways they can help keep their environment clean.
About 4-H National Youth Science Day
For more than 100 years, 4-H has been at the forefront of teaching youth about science, engineering and technology. Created to combat a shortage of American young people pursuing science college majors and careers, 4-H National Youth Science Day seeks to spark an early youth interest and leadership in science.
Currently, more than five million young people across the nation participate in 4 H science, engineering and technology programming in topics as varied as robotics, rocketry, wind power, GPS mapping, agricultural science, film making, water quality and biofuels. And, through the One Million New Scientists, One Million New Ideas campaign, 4 H has undertaken a bold goal of engaging one million additional young people in science, engineering and technology programming by 2013.
This year's 4-H National Youth Science Day is jointly sponsored by Lockheed Martin, Toyota, Donaldson Filtration Solutions, Motorola, Walmart and John Deere.
About 4-H
4-H is a volunteer led youth development program of the Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Service. Established in Florida in 1909, 4-H has over 6.5 million members in the United States, 240,000 members in Florida, and over 10,000 in Miami-Dade County. 4-H membership is open to all children, ages 5 to 18. Through hands-on, informal education and project studies, 4-H members develop life skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication and citizenship to become responsible and productive community members.