Giant bubbles, circuit kits, solar panels and 4-H. All these can get kids excited about science, technology, engineering and math.
Recently, ATC supported the 4-H Summer Academy and 4-H Science Expeditions to help advance learning opportunities and get young people excited about STEM.
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization. In Wisconsin, more than 26,000 youth across all 72 counties are members of 4-H. The 4-H programming aims to engage youth in activities to increase their leadership, communication and critical thinking skills.
4-H Summer Academy exposes youth to STEM career opportunities
For the second consecutive year, Wisconsin 4-H and the Community Youth Development of UW-Madison Extension have hosted a Summer Academy for 300 youth in grades 8-11 from across the state. The Summer Academy offers six programs to help youth to learn what it takes to have a career or hobby in several areas including agriculture, STEM, service, leadership, arts, trades and more.
On June 24, ATC employees volunteered at the STEM Makers Space icebreaker event. Some employees helped participants learn about how power flows using Snap® Circuit Kits while others refereed several NBA Math Hoops games.
On June 27, ATC hosted a mini-career track where several employees shared their experience with careers in the energy industry and led activities to engage the participants. They also provided recommendations for personal branding and pursuing a career in engineering.
4-H Science Expeditions let youth immerse themselves in STEM
This spring, ATC provided funding to transport over 80 4-H youth in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties to two 4-H Science Expeditions at UW-Madison.
On April 6, a group of 52 youth, 11 parents, and four staff from Milwaukee and Waukesha 4-H clubs visited the UW-Madison Discovery Building. They immersed themselves in a variety of STEM activities hosted by college students and university professionals, including exploring the brain with virtual reality, feeling a cow’s brain and visiting the marmosets at the Primate Center. The youth in attendance belong to 4-H clubs at Les Paul Middle School in Waukesha, Highland Community School in Milwaukee and the Don & Sallie Davis Boys & Girls Club in Milwaukee.
On May 4, a group of 39 4-H youth, four parents and three staff from Milwaukee and Waukesha 4-H clubs visited the Wisconsin Energy Institute, Allen Centennial Gardens and the D.C. Smith Greenhouse. The 4-H students learned about monarch butterflies, tried edible flowers, and even created their own mini-greenhouses. The youth in attendance belong to 4-H clubs at Les Paul Middle School in Waukesha, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy in Milwaukee and Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy in Milwaukee.
