Science can be defined as the study of the world around us, a thread that runs through all aspects of our lives. Science is the theory that lies behind all 4-H projects. Technology can be defined as the tools and applications of science that help individuals advance their world and their own development.

The following programs and resources are designed to help youth explore the wonder and possibilities of science.

 

STEM Ambassadors

STEM Ambassadors are UVM students who are studying science, technology, engineering, or math. These students are trained to deliver experiential STEM activities to Vermont youth and share the limitless possibilities of these fields through hands-on learning and events. The STEM Ambassadors program is a collaboration between the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and the UVM Extension 4-H Program, and is a member of the National Engineering Ambassadors Network.

For more information, visit the STEM Ambassadors program website, read the program factsheet, or contact:

Margaret Coan
4-H Educator, Special Projects Lead
mcoan@uvm.edu
802-656-7634

Programming Resources

Attention 4-H Leaders! Looking to implement a 4-H Science program in your club? The following materials are available for loan from your local 4-H County Educator.

Kit Description

Astronomy Learning Kit
This learning kit introduces youth to the solar system and earth & space science. Kit Contains: 2 Celestron Telescopes and books on astronomy topics such as backyard star gazing and planets. Recommended for youth age 8 years old and up.
Bridge Construction Kit
Introduce younger children to the science of bridge structure by building bridge models with the K'nex construction kit "Bridges" (bridge types: beam, truss, arch, cantilever, suspension, and cable-stayed). Kit contains: Instructions and teacher guide on CD. Each construction kit best supports 2 students working as a team. Entire kit best supports 6 youth. Recommended for youth ages 8-10 years old.
Digital Photography Kit
A Digital Photography Kit is a technology based educational tool used to open the world of art and photography to children. Students will learn how to operate digital cameras, how to transfer data to computers where they can edit photographs amongst many other photography curricula. Kits Contain: 8 Digital Cameras w/ Memory Cards, 4 Laptops w/ Flash Drives, Rechargeable Batteries w/ Chargers, and 4-H Digital Photography Curricula. Recommended for youth age 10 years old and up.
Digital Scales
Energy Education Kits
National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project's energy learning kits teach efficient use of energy, energy's impact on the environment, environment protection and eco-friendly habits. They are named The Science of Energy, The Science of Heat and Heating, The Science of Chemistry, The Science of Motion, The Science of Light and Lighting. These kits can be used as stand-alone teaching units or part of a series in any after-school or community program. Kits contain: Materials needed to conduct experiments, Energy fact sheets & handouts, Practical hands on activities, and Service learning project ideas. Recommended for youth age 10 years old and up.
Flight Teaching Kit
This learning kit introduces youth to the rules, mechanics, and dynamics of flight-related topics such as birds, wind, kites, helicopters, planes, navigation, and the physics of rocketry. Kit Contains: Kites, Remote-Controlled Airplanes, Kid-Safe Model Rocket Kits, and Flight Curricula. Recommended for youth age 8 years old and up.
Food Science Kit
The Food Science Kit is designed to expose children to the building blocks of food science using chemistry, biology, and math in a "kitchen laboratory" setting. Both Science Fun with Kitchen Chemistry (grades K-5) and What's on Your Plate? Exploring Food Science (grades 6 and up) provide hands-on experiments focused on discovery as students explore how everyday items and kitchen ingredients can be used in cool tests and to create tasty treats. Kit contains: two sets of curricula, facilitator's guides and enough non-consumable materials to support 12 students working in teams of two.
GPS Kits
The GPS units are hand-held devices that are used to trace your steps, mark waypoints, find waypoints, and find true north. The GPS units can be used for outdoors activities like camping, hiking, hunting, as well as many others. Kits contain: 10 GPS units, 20 Compasses, Batteries, and an Instructional CD. Recommended for youth age 8 years old and up.
Intro to Simple Machines Kit
Introduce younger children to the world of simple machines by building real-world models with the K'nex construction kits "Levers and Pulleys" (1st, 2nd and 3rd class levers along with fixed, movable and combination pulley systems); "Wheels, Axles and Inclined Planes" and "Gears" (spur gears, crown gears and sprocket gears). Kit contains: Instructions and teacher guide on CD. Each construction kit best supports 2 students working as a team. Entire kit best supports 6 youth in study of 1 simple machine type at a time. Recommended for youth ages 8-10 years old.
Junk Drawer Robotics Kits
This kit teaches basic physical science concepts related to robotic systems, the engineering design process, technology tools used for learning and communications, and the exploration of science, technology, and engineering careers. Focus areas are robotics, form and function, scientific habits of mind, engineering design, friction, basic electrical power and motors, engineering constraints, gear systems, buoyancy, sensors and analog and digital systems, basic circuits, elements of programming, and robotic computer control. Each kit contains: Curriculum in three tracks -- Junk Drawer Robotics curriculum (3 Facilitator Books, 1 Youth Notebook), Virtual Robotics (DVD), and Robotics Platforms (DVD) -- and a toolbox of basic hand tools that can be used throughout the project. Each kit best supports up to 8 youth. Recommended for youth age 10 years old and up.
LEGO® Robotics Kit
The NXT LEGO® Robotics kits allow children to opportunity to use engineering, physics, design, and creativity to build animatronic objects. Instructions for building four different robots and software for 16 building and programming challenges are also in the kit to help facilitate the robotics learning experience. Kits contain: 1 NXT LEGO® brick w/ 32-bit microprocessor, 3 interactive servo motors; 4 sensors, and software (PC and Mac). Kits best support a maximum of 2 youth. Recommended for youth age 10 years old and up.
LEGO® WeDo Robotics Kit
4 easy-to-use construction kits that introduce younger children to robotics by building and programming LEGO® models featuring working motors and sensors. Kit contains: 4 WeDo construction kits with printed building instructions for 12 models; more than 150 elements including a motor, tilt sensor, motion sensor, LEGO® USB Hub, 2 Power Function Rechargeable Battery Boxes, and software (PC and Mac). Each construction kit best supports 2 students working as a team. Entire kit best supports 8 youth. Recommended for youth ages 8–12 years old
Mobile Tech Labs (only available for club use in support of military families or soldiers)
Mobile Tech Labs are only available for club use in support of military families or soldiers.
Mobile Tech Labs include video cameras, laptops, printers, and digital camera.
Shooting Sports Kits (Archery/GPS)
This learning kit supports the archery and Geospatial activities. With an Archery Chronograph, easily connected to most compound bows, youth can measure velocity (bow must be a 40lb. or above bow for effective use). The GPS units can be used to trace your steps, mark waypoints, and find waypoints in outdoors activities like camping and hiking. Kit Contains: 1 Archery Chronograph, 10 GPS Units, Rechargeable Batteries, and 1 Battery Charger.
Shooting Sports Kits are available only to Vermont 4-H Shooting Sports Club certified leaders.
Shooting Sports Kit (Firearms)
This learning kit supports firearm activities. Using a chronograph and a stand to make leveling your rifle or handgun with the chronograph quick and easy, youth are able to measure the velocity of their bullets. An indoor light attachment permits use of the chronograph system at an indoor range. Kit Contains: 1 Chronograph w/ Indoor Chronograph Light Attachment, 1 Stand, 1 Power Cord, and 1 9V Battery.
Shooting Sports Kits are available only to Vermont 4-H Shooting Sports Club certified leaders.
Vet in the Barn Learning Kit
The vet in the barn learning kit is a biology based educational tool used to explore the world of anatomy and physiology. Students will learn how to identify animal anatomy and learn the ways in which germs propagate. This kit contains: 1 Glo Germ Kit, 5 4-H Curriculum (All Systems Go!/From Airedales to Zebras/On the Cutting Edge/Vet Science Helper's Guide/Exploring Farm Animals), 2 Shower Curtains, 9 Weigh Tapes, Slides w/ Slide Covers, 1 LCD Microscope, 10 Stethoscopes, 1 Animal Parts Poster, Laminated Pictures of Breeds & Diseases, Animal Games. Recommended for youth age 10 years old and up.
Vet in the Classroom Learning Kit
The vet in the classroom learning kit is an anatomy and physiology based educational tool used to discover the world of animal body systems. Students will learn how to dissect and identify animal anatomy and learn about the different organ systems and microorganisms. This kit contains: 5 4-H Curriculum (A Dissection Guide & Atlas to the Rat/Vet Science Helper's Guide/On the Cutting Edge/All Systems Go!/From Airedales to Zebras), 1 LCD Microscope, 2 Magnifying Glasses, 12 Suture Needles, Suture Tread, Gloves, Dissecting Trays, Dissecting Wings, Heart, &Eyes Curriculum, Prepared Bacteria Slide Set & 3 Dissecting Kits. Recommended for youth age 10 years old and up.
Video Learning Kits
The video learning kit is a technology based educational tool used to explore the world of film and videography. Students will learn how to operate a video camera, how to transfer data to a computer and edit video clips to create their own short films. This kit contains: 4 Flip Video Recorders, 4 Video Recorder Cases, 6 USB Extension Cords, 20 AA Batteries, 1 Battery Charger, 1 Flip Video Action Tripod & 2 "Movie Magic" 4-H Curriculum Booklets. Recommended for youth age 10 years old and up.
Zula Environmental Kit
This kit is designed to get young children thinking scientifically about climate, greenhouse effect and weather to gain a true understanding of the causes and effects of these environmental phenomena. Youth will learn by playing the Climate Game, Guess the Hottest Habitat, Trapping Gases, Balloon Blow Up, Make a Weather Vane and Make a Straw Thermometer. Spin-offs provide additional opportunities to connect science to other curricular areas (math and language arts). Kit contains: teacher guide (with lesson plans), Zula Patrol DVD, CD with printable photo cards, badges, and science journal pages. Kit best supports up to 10 youth. Recommended for youth age Pre-K to 7 years old.

 

4-H Science

4-H Filmmaking Studio

Resource for helping to create videos.