September 13, 2019

News Release

For Immediate Release

EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the media may contact Rutgers 4‑H Youth Development by phone at 848-932-3597 or by email at nj4h@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Youth to Explore Computer Science as Part of 4‑H National Youth Science Day Challenge

2019 4‑H National Youth Science Day challenges youth to apply computer science to the world around them through hands-on activities.

On Monday, October 1, the New Jersey 4‑H Program will kick off a month long celebration hosting opportunities throughout the state for youth to get involved in computer science (CS) and learn how to apply computer science to the world around them through hands-on activities as part of 4‑H National Youth Science Day (4‑H NYSD).

The national rallying event for 4‑H Science, 4‑H NYSD is an interactive learning experience that gets youth excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and spotlights the many ways millions of youth are engaging in 4‑H Science programs year-round.

The 2019 4‑H National Youth Science Day challenge, called Game Changers, developed by Google and West Virginia University Cooperative Extension, includes a computer-based activity on Google's Computer Science First platform and two unplugged activities that bring coding to life through games, physical activities and puzzles. The activities will not only teach computer science and coding to kids, but also build confidence and teach skills relevant across field from agriculture to technology to health care to the arts.

Youth all over the nation, and some globally, will participate in the challenge at hundreds of 4‑H county, club, community and school events taking place throughout the month of October.

"Our nation is falling behind other countries in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math," says Jeannette Rea Keywood, Department of 4‑H Youth Development. "However, participation in high-quality positive youth development programs like 4‑H NYSD offers youth and adults the opportunity to engage in technology and scientific exploration and work together to build the next generation of our nation's scientists, engineers and mathematicians."

A longitudinal study conducted by Tufts University, The Positive Development of Youth: Comprehensive Findings from the 4‑H Study of Positive Youth Development revealed 4‑H programming does indeed get young people more connected to science. According to the study, 4‑H'ers are two times more likely to participate in science programs during out-of-school time (grades 10–12) and 4‑H girls are two times more likely (grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (grade 12) to take part in science programs, compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.

For the past eleven years, 4-H has developed hands-on challenges that shows kids how STEM skills can be applied to the world around them. The NYSD challenges have also helped young people discover and explore careers related to STEM. This fall, we expect to reach more than 150,000 kids at thousands of events across all 50 states through the 4‑H National Youth Science Day challenge.

For dates, locations and times that the 4‑H NYSD challenge will be conducted in your county, contact the Rutgers Cooperative Extension/4‑H Office in your county by phone or on the web http://njaes.rutgers.edu/county/.

The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension. 4‑H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K–13 (one year out of high school), on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status and any other category protected by law.

For more information about the New Jersey 4‑H Program visit the website at: www.nj4h.rutgers.edu or find us Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewJersey4‑H.

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Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an qual opportunity program provider and employer.