Iowa 4-H Volunteer

The Christopher Columbus Awards program presents an opportunity for 4-Hers that are interested in math and science to apply their interest in serving their community.  This is a program that would bring learning, service, leadership, and communication.  Clubs that are focused on science may want to participate and youth that are interested in math, science, and service can form teams.

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

Clubs, Events, Opportunities ESET, Generosity, Leaders

As the State 4-H Director I want to welcome you to our Iowa 4-H Volunteer blog. The initial goal of this new communication tool will be to help answer questions and concerns dealing with the ISU Extension reorganization and the impacts to the Iowa 4-H program.

We hope you will ask questions of our staff and other volunteers, and also share ideas with each other on a variety of 4-H topics. The 4-H program is delivered through the generosity of volunteers and committed staff with the support of our donors. We are partners in helping young people reach their full potential. Please feel free to share!

–Chuck Morris, Director 4-H Youth Development

Opportunities Leaders, Reorganization