The Christopher Columbus Awards program is a national competition that taps the natural curiosity and creativity of kids to better their communities. The program is designed for sixth through eighth grade students, and they must work in teams of three or four with an adult coach. The team must identify a problem in its community, and devise a solution that requires the team to obtain hands-on experience with the scientific process-exploring, analyzing and drawing conclusions-and learn how to apply it to everyday life.  They have invited Iowa 4-H to participate.

The finalist teams receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World ® in Orlando, Florida, to compete in the final judging, and also to attend the Christopher Columbus Academy. The Academy is an educational opportunity that gives the finalists firsthand experience with discovery and innovation, while being guided by experts in science, technology and education.

At an awards ceremony held at Walt Disney World, two gold medal winning teams will receive a $2000 savings bond each and a plaque for each team member along with a plaque for their school/club and one team will receive a $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant to bring their service idea to life.  The competition is geared toward middle school-age children, and gives kids experience in solving real-life problems using the scientific process of exploring, analyzing and drawing conclusions.
Find out more at http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com/

Jay Staker, Program Director, Extension-Science, Engineering & Technology

Thanks to generous support from John Deere, a $400 award will be presented to one county from each state with the highest number of individual Biofuel Blast results survey submissions between October 1 and October 30, 2009. The awards can be used toward the implementation and promotion of science, engineering and technology programs in your county. After your clubs complete the experiment, make sure your members go to https://www.4-h.org/NYSD/ to fill out the survey so your county can compete for the award!

In addition, of those who submit their results through the Biofuel Blast experiment survey, five youth names will be randomly selected to receive a 32GB third generation iPod touch. The five youth will also be able to designate a 4-H club, school classroom, or youth organization to receive a Fuel Cell Car Experiment kits. Click here for official drawing rules.

Ask the Expert

Dr. Bruce E. Dale, Professor of Chemical Engineering at Michigan State University, will be taking questions from youth and adults interested in learning more about biofuels. He is a leader of the recently established Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) who work to develop cellulosic ethanol and other bioenergy sources. University of Wisconsin Extension worked closely with the GLBRC to develop this year’s National Science Experiment – Biofuel Blast!

Click here to learn how you can submit questions for consideration. Answers will be posted before 4-H National Youth Science Day, October 7, 2009.

Don’t Forget, Promote Your Events!

Just a reminder to email us at 4-HNYSD@4-H.org with details about your upcoming 4-H NYSD events. Please include event dates, locations, and contact information to be added to the map of 4-H National Youth Science Day events!

4-H National Youth Science Day is only a week away – pass the word!

NYSD Experiment

HOW-TO VIDEO!

Are you considering using the NYSD (National Youth Science Day) experiment with your club, but are a little nervous about how to do it? Great news! The NYSD webpage now has a short how-to video on the experiment. Use this step-by-step animated video guide to learn how to lead and participate in this year’s National Science Experiment. This fun video, sponsored by DuPont and Pioneer, provides a great snapshot of just how easy and engaging Biofuel Blast is! Login to www.4-H.org/NYSD and then go to The Experiment to view and share with others.

Holly Bignall, Campus Youth 4-H Program Specialist, E-SET coordinator

Iowa is loaded with high tech industries: bioengineering, renewable energy, manufacturers of high tech equipment, providers of telecommunications services, medical services, academic research labs, the list goes on and on. Partnering with one of these organizations is a great way to get more SET into your club or start a special interest 4-H club focused on SET.

Here’s an example. One of the Ames Laboratory of Story Co.’s former employees was eager to share his passion for engineering with young people. The Ames Lab was eager to support a 4-H club if it would encourage youth to develop a passion for science and engineering. The situation was ripe for a partnership!

Story Co. 4-H worked with Marcus, the scientist volunteer, to develop a budget for tools and supplies as well as a stipend for the helpers and a budget for a club banner and marketing materials to advertise the club. Marcus decided to develop his own curriculum based on his interests, however, he could have used any of the 4-H curricula available through E-SET and National 4-H. Ames Labs agreed to fund the club, which was named: The Ames Laboratory Tinkering with Science 4-H Club.

The club was a smashing success. We advertised it widely in the community and took registration, signing all the participants up as 4-H members. – Check out this picture of the club members showcasing their engineering feat at the State Fair.

Tinkering Machine

There are a lot of innovative aspects to this club, but what made it work was the partnership between 4-H and Ames Laboratory. Such organizations can not only provide the funding for a SET club, but can also help identify an employee to volunteer for the club, and incentives for this employee such as time off work or a stipend.

Find out more about the innovative structure of the Tinkering with Science 4-H Club by checking out its description on the Innovative Club Models webpage. You can also read descriptions of other innovative clubs and download a template for posting descriptions of your own innovative clubs.

We would love to hear what you think of this post! Please comment on our blog post!

Marcus Johnson, PHD - Lead volunteer for Tinkering with Science 4-H Club
Holly Bignall, Campus 4-H youth program specialist, E-SET coordinator

Butterfly WINGS is now available for sale and will be offered at a special introductory discount of 35% from August 25th – September 30th! To order, visit the 4-H mall.

Butterfly WINGS was developed by the University of Florida and consists of one Youth Guide (product #08392) and one Facilitator’s Guide (product #08393). Each book is priced at $7.95, but will be available during the introductory period for $5.17 each! In addition to the pre-press price, quantity discounts also apply!!

Title: Project Butterfly WINGS
Type of Material: Individual Project Curriculum
Grades: 4th – 8th (Ages 9 -13)
Format: Project Manual
Category: Science, Engineering and Technology
Focus Area: Environmental science, citizen science, butterfly biology, identification, habitats and monitoring.
For more information, visit http://www.4-Hmall.org/curriculum.

Check it out! - Holly Bignall

4-H clubs can be very general, where youth learn about a broad variety of subjects.  They can also be very focused on one interest area.  In these cases, youth may enroll in just one project area or many, but they will spend most of their time learning about one project area.

If you have an idea to begin a new 4-H club, why not call your local extension office today.  Find their number by selecting your county on this map http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ouroffices.htm

New volunteers will be asked to go through a screening process for the protection of both youth and themselves.  After that, they will help you recruit members to begin a club, and help you learn how to be a good leader.

Get started today!
Lisa Berkland, Region 2 4H Youth Development Program Specialist

If you’re looking for something fun, and relevant to your club members’ lives and future, participating in this event is a great way to go. This experiment and the online resources that go with it would also make a great addition to new member recruitment efforts and for sharing what 4-H has to offer with your community.

Here’s the news release from National 4-H:

Registration Open for 4-H National Youth Science Day

On October 7, 2009, millions of youth across the nation will participate in 4-H National Youth Science Day, an event designed to engage young people in the environmental issues facing the nation. This year, youth will complete the “Biofuel Blast” science experiment to learn how renewable products, such as harvested plant materials, can make energy. Youth and adult leaders can sign up to participate online at www.4-H.org/NYSD.

To view the full news release online, visit http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2009news/07081_4h_science_day.html.

Please contact the E-SET office (4heset@iastate.edu) with questions or to share your plans for participating in and publicizing this opportunity.

Thanks!

-Holly Bignall, Iowa 4-H E-SET Program Assistant

1. 2009 Wells Fargo Environmental Affairs Green Team Iowa Grant Program
   • Grants Available for Local Environmental Team/Volunteer Activities
   • Contributions ranging from $500-$2500, to non-profits focused on the following three categories: Renewable Energy, Green Buildings and Sustainable Agriculture.
   • These categories are not exclusive, but activities in those areas are encouraged.
   • Program aims to fund activities that promote team member engagement and local environmental volunteer efforts.

For an application, please email GreenTeamIowa@wellsfargo.com. Deadline for completed applications is noon August 24. For more information, contact Brad Gerndt, Founder & President, Wells Fargo Environmental Affairs Green Team Iowa, GreenTeamIowa@wellsfargo.com, 515-324-2878, cell: 515-291-4376.

2. JCPenney Afterschool Fund FIRST Robotics Team Mini-Grants
   • 38 mini-grants totaling $92,500 are available.
   • All members of either new or existing teams must be enrolled 4-H members.
   • Team must be located in a JCPenney Geographic District
   • Team must recognize the JCPenney AFterschool Fund on promotional material.
   • Team must compete in at least one sanctioned robotics competition. (For information about FIRST competitions in Iowa, contact the E-SET office (4heset@iastate.edu
   • Application Deadline: August 7, 2009
   • Award Amount Range: $500 - $10,000
   • Project Start/End: Aug. 31, 2009 to May 28, 2010

To review the RFP and apply for funding, please visit the online portal at http://grants.4-h.org/ .   (Note: you will have to register on the website before you can see grant details).

For further information about FRC, FTC, and FLL in Iowa contact the E-SET office 4heset@iastate.edu.

-Holly Bignall,  Iowa 4-H E-SET Program Assistant

In the clothing selection section, click on: http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/p1303.htm
This publication includes tips on selecting clothes for various body builds, wardrobe planning, choosing colors, characteristics of various fibers, evaluating fit and looking for quality in ready to wear.

This is a wonderful resource and I’ll be returning to it again!

–Sue Bogue, State 4-H Program Specialist

Note how the Story, Dickinson, and Worth County clubs were started by Master Gardeners, a CYC, and a sixth grader that connected with their local 4-H office and got things rolling. Story and Dickinson are using 4-H Growing in the Garden lessons and activities to plan fun, educational sessions.

We are discovering other gardening groups that have not transitioned into clubs. Why not? It only takes a seed!

–Janet Toering