STEM YOUNiversity Projects

Empowering teenagers to assume leadership roles in providing digital skills training for adults within their communities. This initiative not only fosters collaboration between teens and adults but also empowers both age groups to play an active role in enhancing digital literacy and driving economic prosperity in their localities.

As the 4-H Tech Changemakers (TCM) program launches into its 3rd year in Arizona, this innovative digital literacy program is poised to drive an even greater impact statewide. After empowering tech-savvy teens to uplift adults in their local counties with vital computer skills for the past three years, the 2023-2024 cohort aims to expand inclusion and accessibility further. This next wave of 6th-12th grade Tech Changemakers will facilitate digital skills training in high-need communities, focusing on resume building, online safety, social media use, and more. As these bright young leaders teach community workshops, they will gain public speaking, leadership, and technology abilities as well.

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Not only does the 4-H Tech Changemakers program uplift community members currently struggling with digital access and skills, but it also provides immense personal growth for you as a teen leader. This year, Cochise, Maricopa, Pinal, San Carlos Apache, and Santa Cruz counties are actively running the latest 4-H Tech Changemakers curriculum and making an impact statewide. The new 2023 curriculum from National 4-H focuses on the most in-demand digital skills like:

• Digital Marketing
• Recreational drone operations
• Resources to develop your career journey
• Using Microsoft Word to build professional resume

Embrace the role of an Agricultural Ambassador within your country and embark on a journey to impart your experiences, skills, and boundless enthusiasm to others. As an Ag Ambassador, you will not only have the opportunity to share your agricultural insights and for personal growth and development, equipping you with skills that extend well beyond the world of agriculture. 

The 4-H Ag Ambassador Project cultivates leadership skills in youth passionate about animal science, veterinary studies, and agriculture. 6th-12th grade students will gain knowledge to educate their communities on crucial food systems topics. As an Ag Ambassador, you will:

• Attend virtual workshops building your expertise in several areas
• Partner with teen leaders across Arizona to exchange best practices
• Plan and facilitate engaging agriculture-focused workshops for youth groups and community members
• Ignite excitement for careers in agriculture, from farmers to veterinarians to engineers!

Connecting virtually and in-person, Ag Ambassadors lead their counties and tribes toward agricultural literacy and involvement. The workshop curriculum addresses specific regional needs, from water access in tribal areas to urban gardening.

We invite motivated teens to apply for this meaningful leadership role.

Step into the future of farming with our Cross-Reality project. Imagine building and managing a farm that you can control right from your phone! Experience the fascinating blend of virtual and real-world agriculture as you cultivate crops, manage resources, and observe the impact of your decisions. 

Embark on a groundbreaking journey into the future of agriculture through our Cross-Reality project. This innovative program fuses virtual and hands-on farming, allowing you to construct and manage your farm from your laptop. Make strategic decisions about resources, technology implementations, and cultivation practices - then see the tangible impacts on real and simulated agricultural environments. Whether testing drought-resilient crops in the virtual realm before planting or experimenting with aeroponics in the physical greenhouse, Cross-Reality revolutionizes the learning process. Immerse yourself in this blended model of imagination and action. Through an interactive interface, you will gain both digital abilities and core farming competencies. Cross-reality redefines not only the farming experience itself but also the future of agricultural education and innovation. Join us as we cultivate the next generation of growers, engineers, and problem solvers building a brighter tomorrow for food systems and environmental resilience alike!

Open up to exploring potential careers involving drones. Gain insights into the rules governing drone usage and recreational flying regulations. The programs guide them through the steps for obtaining the TRUST certification, a valuable drone aviation credential. The Drone Project encourages interaction among participants as they navigate the exciting world of drones. 

4-H STEM YOUniversity is excited to introduce an innovative new program - the 4-H Drone Project! This initiative engages youth in hands-on drone education, building both technical skills and future career opportunities.

Through the 4-H Drone Project, students will learn the rules and regulations for recreational drone operation. They will be guided on preparation for taking the TRUST certification exam, the official test needed to fly drones legally. Going beyond basics, participants will also explore potential careers utilizing drones across diverse industries.

Throughout their experience, youth will get to pilot drones and apply their new expertise with these exciting technologies. Just as importantly, students will connect with fellow passionate aviators from counties and tribes statewide. The 4-H Drone Project opens up the burgeoning world of drones to Arizona’s next generation in an interactive, collaborative environment. Kids gain technical abilities and professional exposure while forming connections in the 4-H community centered around STEM. Let your aspirations soar with this innovative new program.

Introducing an innovative new 4-H opportunity - the Greenhouse Sustainable Energy Engineering Design (SEED) Project! This hands-on, problem-based learning experience allows students to delve into environmental design, green energy, and engineering fundamentals while building their scale model greenhouse. Over 60 hours and 10 weeks, participants will gain exposure to 3D modeling, architectural drafting, electrical circuitry, solar power, wind energy, water harvesting, and more. Students will apply math, science, and engineering principles through practical building challenges and collaborations with peers across Arizona virtually or in person.

Unleash your imagination as you design and build your own robots using Lego bricks. Our projects provide a hands-on approach to programming, problem-solving, and teamwork. Engage in the process of crafting robotic creations this Lego bricks, where the journey of design transforms into a powerful educational exploration of innovation and collaboration. 

The 4-H STEM YOUniversity Robotics Project is excited to fully immerse youth in hands-on Lego robotics once again! This intricate, technical process goes beyond just assembling bricks. As students bring their Lego creations to life, they will deepen their programming know-how, problem-solving abilities, and the immense value of team collaboration in innovation.

The robotics program also incorporates the innovative, virtual CoderZ curriculum covering cyber robotics coding and Python fundamentals. We provide regular train-the-trainer workshops to equip volunteers for facilitating robotics education across Arizona. Whether building robots physically from the ground up or learning coding languages to spark virtual designs, 4-H robotics offers a multifaceted STEM journey for every learning style. Students grow communication, strategic thinking, and real-world building competencies. Just as importantly, youth forge friendships with fellow collaborative young inventors across the state.

Immerse into the engaging, hands-on problem-solving activities. Delve into the fascinating realms of space, lunar, and planetary sciences. Through interactive and educational initiatives, enhance your understanding of scientific disciplines and build camaraderie in shared exploration that extends beyond geographical boundaries.

We are excited to announce that 4-H STEM YOUniversity was the recipient of a generous grant from the International Space Station National Laboratory (ISSNL) in partnership with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS). This grant funded an exciting initiative - the "4-H Multi-State Space Exploration Consortium (4-H MSSEC)" program.

Twelve students from across Arizona were selected as 4-H Space Ambassadors to join the first-ever 4-H Mission Command Team. As part of this unique program, the students received extensive training in space, lunar, and planetary science curriculum. Equipped with this knowledge, they facilitated hands-on workshops in their local counties to get youth in their communities excited about space exploration!

The 4-H Space Ambassadors also collaborated with Mission Command Teams from Florida, Illinois, and Indiana to share ideas and workshop activities. In addition, they partnered with the Arizona NASA Space Grant Consortium (AZSGC) and the University of Arizona's Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) club on various space-themed projects throughout the year-long program.

The highlight was undoubtedly attending the 3-day "Go for Launch!" summer camp organized by the nonprofit Higher Orbits. This action-packed camp allowed students to design experiments for the International Space Station and participate in simulated astronaut training and missions. They made friends from across the country who shared their passion for space science and exploration.

Judging from the delighted faces and stellar feedback we received, our 4-H Space Ambassadors had an absolute blast in this program! They gained so much knowledge and so many hands-on skills related to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). We can't wait to see these students continue to thrive and eventually pursue amazing careers in the space industry!

Contribute your STEM skills and enthusiasm to benfit you county and community. Not only will you briger the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application, but you'll also receive training in STEM activities, leadership principles, and civic engagement. This unique role not only allows you to impart knowledge, but also helps with personal and professional growth.

The 4-H STEM Ambassador Project empowers 6th-12th grade students to develop leadership abilities while making a difference in their communities through STEM education and outreach. As a STEM Ambassador, you will:

• Attend virtual training workshops to build skills in areas like leadership, civic engagement, and STEM activities facilitation
• Collaborate with teen leaders across Arizona counties and tribal nations
• Plan and deliver STEM workshops for youth and community members in your county
• Help foster passion for science, technology, engineering and math in your region!

Over the past three years, STEM Ambassadors have focused workshops on topics ranging from space exploration to environmental sustainability. Moving forward, 2023-2024 curriculum will equip ambassadors to address pressing needs in their specific counties.

We encourage all teens passionate about STEM and community service to apply for this high-impact, rewarding leadership development program! Together, we educate and empower future generations.

Explore the wonders of sustainable agriculture and technology with our Green SEED project. Learn how to build and optimize greenhouses for maximum efficiency. Discover the intersection of agriculture and environmental responsibility as we delve into techniques for creating sustainable and eco-friendly growing environments. 

Dive into the realm of underwater robotics projects and explore the mysteries of the underwater world through innovative underwater robotics. Join us on this journey to unravel the secrets hidden beneath the waves, where the project serves to deepen the understanding of the complexities of underwater exploration and technology. 

Underwater robotics refers to the creation and operation of robotic systems designed for underwater exploration and tasks. These robots, also known as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), are integral components of hands-on learning experiences. 

Role in 4-H STEM

Integrating underwater robotics into 4-H STEM programs provides students with:

• Exposure to robotics in a unique underwater context
• Learning experiences that foster problem-solving skills
• Insight into the applications of robotics in marine science
• Opportunities for collaboration, promoting teamwork and communication skills

By emphasizing the aspect of underwater robotics, 4-H STEM programs offer a captivating pathway for students to explore the principles of robotics and engineering in the context of marine exploration and technology.