Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

• Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources: Information about careers in Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Science Buddies: Free Science Fair Project Ideas, Answers and Tools for Serious Students
• Kid Wind: Promote wind power through education and activities that challenge, engage and inspire all ages
• Natural History Museum in London: Find online science activities for kids, families and teachers as well as highlights of current collections at the museum.
• Galaxy Zoo: Find out how you can help astronomers explore the universe. View images from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and classify them by shape.
• Zero Robotics: Zero Robotics is the first robotics competition in space! A partnership between MIT, NASA, and the International Space Station (ISS), students on teams worldwide learn coding principles, math, computer science, and physics to virtually program satellite robots on the ISS, with astronauts providing play-by-play. Middle school and high school competitions take place each year, including in Maryland!
• PhET Interactive Simulations: The PhET website is the place to go to perform experiments and explore the world without ever leaving your chair! Run by the University of Colorado Boulder, PhET simulations are fun, engaging, and free interactive experiences that cover every branch of science and mathematics. You’d never be able to do some of these experiments at home or even at school, so don’t miss out-do them online at PhET!
• Code.org: Computer science is an ever-growing, evolving field and has one of the largest shortages of qualified candidates in the modern world. Code.org, which also leads the annual “Hour of "Code,” offers "fun projects and opportunities for youth to get engaged in computer science, " while also working to increase its diversity and exposure to underserved populations. Kids can create new art projects, sprite designs, cell-phone apps, and more just some of the fun projects kids can do in their virtual lab!
• FIRST Robotics Competitions (Jr. FLL, FLL, FTC, FRC): FIRST is home to the largest and longest-running STEM competitions in the world, including FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition.
• VEX Competitions: VEX Robotics is a new approach to the competitive robotics world, with competitions for grade-school youth all the way through college. VEX IQ, VEX EDR, and VEX Pro await newcomers to get involved and become inspired, one robot at a time.
• NXTprograms.com: Love the LEGO Mindstorms, but haven’t had to find any new projects or ideas to use them for recently? This website has both building and programming ideas for the LEGO Mindstorms line of robots, including both EV3 and NXT. Build instructions are included, in full color, and kids design most of it!
• KiwiCo: KiwiCo offers monthly projects to kids of all ages! Broken down into 7 lines with varying age ranges and topics of focus, KiwiCo kits are hands-on, fun, and educational, helping kids young and old to become problem solvers and expand their creativity. The best part? Kids can do them at their own pace!
• Science Sparks: Science Sparks makes science fun for kids! With lots of great ideas for fun science experiments to do at home, ideas for science fair projects, free worksheets for teachers to use in the classroom, and a bevy of fun facts to peruse, Science Sparks is one of the few one-stop shops for both kids and educators alike.
• Hyperphysics: Do you enjoy Physics and Astronomy? You can find answers to questions about these complex,x a, nd at times intimidating, topics can be answered here. Georgia State’s wState'son Physics is an incredibly thorough, in-depth look at the subject, featuring easy-to-click crosslinks, pictures, breakdowns of complex equations, and even some interactive activities. It’s time to demystify Physics!
• Physics Classroom: Physics can be hard, and sometimes, having everything in one spot for kids and educators to look at when trying to “force” t"ough "he concepts can be really useful! With curriculum and worksheets available that align to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), plus interactive pages to help teach specific subjects across the entire physics “spectrum,” there’s a lot to look at. Plus, there are even specific resources for kids who will be taking the ACT test and for teachers who need help writing tests. The site is truly the “Big Bang" for getting through Physics in one piece!
• Smithsonian Museum: The largest museum, education, and research complex in the world has a site where people can explore and interact with its science and nature exhibits. From tree frogs to fossils to computers to planetariums, the Smithsonian has it all!
• Stargazing from Your Window: Looking at the night sky is a magical experience. You can enjoy it even from your bedroom window and feel amazed by the vast darkness. Stargazing doesn’t require extensive gear or a trip to the countryside.
• Lawrence Hall of Science: The Lawrence Hall of Science, based at the University of California, Berkeley, is a hub for lots of fun activities and resources for both in-person and online visitors. The museum has modern exhibits that go back over 65 million years, and its website has apps for kids that have been downloaded over 1 million times! They also offer NGSS-aligned activities and curriculum for educators, plus online activities for kids to do online too. 
• Cospaces.io: Interested in Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality? Ever wanted to create your own 3D VR/AR worlds? Cospaces.io is the website to do just that! Once you create a free account, you can then open the app on almost any cellphone, insert a compatible VR/AR headset, and take a tour of all your virtual worlds firsthand. You can also use built-in Scratch programming to make your world even more interactive.
• TinkerCAD: Interested in 3D printing and 3D modeling? Never done 3D modeling before, though? That’sOK. Tinkercad is the most popular 3D modeling program for kids! Learn how to 3D model objects, import 3D objects and edit them, and export your creations to view or even 3D print.
• USA Science & Engineering Festival: The USA Science & Engineering Festival is one of the nation's largest STEM events in the nation, held biannually at the Washington, DC Convention Center. Over 400,000 people attended the 2018 festival over the course of 3 days, which featured over 3000 interactive exhibits. The next festival will be in 2020, with the theme “Vision of STEM,” and it will also feature other STEM events across the nation are also featured.
• Instructables: Like to build things? You just hit paydirt! With Arduinos, leather, cosplay, jewelry, 3D printing, cooking, woodworking, gardening, and more, Instructables is where you can learn how to make just about anything.
• Fields of Engineering Overview: There's aThere's" Engineering. Not only are there dozens of major concentrations in the Engineering discipline, but each concentration has dozens of different types of roles and careers associated with it! Thankfully, a fellow teen interested in Engineering has compiled a helpful list of resources on all the major engineering disciplines, including just exactly what Engineering does. The great people at IT HARE put it up on their site, which also has lots of in-depth articles on best practices, Tips & Tricks, and Research on Cybersecurity, System Architecture, and even the basics of creating good online multiplayer games. 
• Student Guide to Eclipses: Eclipses are really cool. They don't happen often, but when they do, they're breathtaking. Did you know there are different types of eclipses, though? Can you explain how eclipses work? There's There'ss really cool physics and astronomy behind eclipses. If you want to learn more (without having to get a Ph.D.), a retired Electrical Engineer and Renewable Energy expert created a website during COVID-19 that breaks it all down so everybody can understand. His website also has great info on other sun-related topics, including solar energy, electricity generation, solar cooking, and more. This is where you can really get a look at the "sunny side of life!"

Adventures In Science is a partnership between the University of Maryland Extension and AIS Inc. It is a science-based, hands-on educational program reaching about 330 youth ages 8-14 in Montgomery County. The program is provided at six locations managed by organizational leaders and instructors. Parents and other volunteers help teach interactive 2-3-hour sessions every Saturday for 18 weeks. 

The National 4-H STEM Challenge is the premier national rallying event for year-round 4-H STEM programming, bringing together youth, volunteers, and educators to engage in a fun and exciting series of hands-on activities that touch on relevant topics in the modern world, including Computer Science, Astronomy, Engineering, Agriculture, Physics, and Environmental Science.

Launched in 2008 with Helpful Hydrogels, the 4-H STEM Challenge activities are designed for youth 8-18, and have included coding and animating a video game, building bristle bots, cleaning up an environmental spill, building a Mars Rover, investigating how to harness wind, and much more! The 2020 4-H STEM Challenge reached over 500,000 youth with the "Mars: Base Camp" kits, created and distributed in partnership with Google, Toyota, Bayer, and Maryland's own NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center! The 2021-22 theme is "Galactic Quest," sponsored by Bayer and the U.S. Space Force!

By being a part of these experiments, you can help Make the Best Better!

Go to the National 4-H STEMe Challenge website for this year's challenge.

For more information about Maryland 4-H, contact Mark DeMorra at mdemorra@umd.edu.

The Educational Equity Center at the Academy for Educational Development (EEC/AED), through a grant from the National Science Foundation has developed Great Science for Girls: Extension Services for Gender Equity in Science through After School Programs (GSG), to provide inquiry-based, informal science learning programs that will stimulate girls' curiosity, interest and persistence in STEM and break down the barriers of gender stereotyping.

• Nerd Girls: This website highlights a growing, global movement that celebrates smart-girl individuality that's revolutionizing our future. They want to encourage other girls to change their world through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math while embracing their feminine power.
• EngineerGirl:l Read about the EngineerGirl! Essay Contest. Find out more about engineering careers. See profiles of women engineers. Find out what classes to take in high school to pursue an engineering career.
• Changing the Curve: Women in Computing: This site has a timeline of women's achievements in computing and computer science plus information about how gender gaps in education and the workforce are being addressed. Most uniquely, it also includes additional resources for women, especially women of color, who are interested in pursuing STEM in college and beyond.
• Women in Engineering and Technology: Accomplishments in engineering have in great part helped to create the technologically advanced world that we live in, and have driven numerous human innovations throughout our history. These accomplishments include many led by women! While some of these female engineers and their accomplishments are well known, others are not. This website provides an overview of some of the accomplishments of numerous female engineers, to encourage more girls to pursue engineering as a future career path.
• STEM Identity Resources for Women and Girls
  Women in STEM jobs are increasing in numbers, but there is still a long way to go for equity. Keeping young girls engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math from a young age, and avoiding the typical 'drop-off' that happens to girls experience around the world in STEM, will create a more equitable STEM workforce.

Maryland 4-H Robotos

Maryland 4-H has a long history of offering in-depth, hands-on engineering experiences. This includes our Engineering Challenges at the State Fair and Engineering Camp every Spring. 

4-H STEM Resources & Opportunities:

• egfi-k12.org 
• engineergirl.org
• kidwind.org 
• ithare.com  

For more specific information about Maryland 4-H Engineering programs, contact Mark DeMorra, 4-H STEM Specialist, at mdemorra@umd.edu.

4-H Engineering Days

4-H Engineering Challenges at the Maryland State Fair

Bicycle Safety

The State Fair "Bicycle Safety Challenge" tests youth's ability to operate, fix, and ride bicycles safely and effectively. The contest includes a written test, Parts ID, and skills demonstrations of youth riding in a straight line, figure 8, on a city street, with double obstacles, and with double zig-zag obstacles.

• Purdue University Bicycle Safety Challenge
•  Bicycle Universe-Bike Laws in Maryland 
• Bike Law Blog- Maryland Bike Laws

Small Engine

The "Small Engine" Challenge at the Maryland State Fair evaluates youth knowledge of the safe operation and maintenance of small engines, present in many common devices such as lawn mowers, generators, tillers, and more. This includes a written exam, parts ID, and a visual presentation given by the youth. 

• Purdue University Small Engine Challenge
• John Deere Manuals & Training Resources
• Animated Engines

Lawn Tractor (Learn to Earn)

The "Lawn Tractor" event at the State Fair is designed to offer 4-H youth an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the areas of lawn care, business management, tractor operation, maintenance, and safety. The day of the challenge at the state fair features a written exam, parts ID, a safe operation course, and a tractor driving course.  

Resources youth can consult in preparation for the Lawn Tractor (Learn to Earn) Challenge:

• Purdue University Lawn Tractor Challenge
• John Deere Manuals & Training Resources

Tractor Operator's Contest (4-H & FFA)

The "Large Tractor" event at the State Fair is a joint challenge that both Maryland FFA and Senior-aged 4-H youth can participate in. It tests their skills in operating agricultural tractors safely and effectively, including proper maintenance and care. The challenge consists of a written exam, practical exam, and 4 driving exams:

• 2-Wheel Drive Safety
• 2-Wheel Drive Operation Course
• 4-Wheel Drive Safety
• 4-Wheel Drive Operation Course
• Purdue University Tractor Operator's Safety Challenge
• Purdue 4-H Tractor Curriculum
• John Deere Manuals & Training Resources

4-H Engineering Camp

One of the greatest weekends in the Spring is the 4-H Engineering Camp! Located at the Harford County 4-H Campgrounds (The Rocks), it introduces some of the numerous Engineering projects available through 4-H. It provides hands-on experiences to prepare youth for some of the county, regional, and state contests. In addition to an in-depth exploration of engineering projects, fun challenges will test youths' ability to use the engineering design process to solve problems and achieve goals. Featured topics include large tractor operation, welding, aerospace, computers, environmental engineering, GPS/GIS mapping, and underwater robotics. 

How to Register

Registration for this event is through 4-H Online. To access the registration, log in to your 4-H Online family profile, then click on the Events tab. You can find an Event Registration "how-to" guide on the Maryland 4-H website.  

Engineering Camp is limited to 40 youth participants. Wes will accept registrations on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the camp is full, we will create a waitlist to fill any spots that may open due to cancellations. 

The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) challenge is for youth ages 5-18. 

“Spark Tank”

Design a new invention or an improvement on an existing invention aimed at helping youth and families to live healthily. Remember that Healthy Living can address social, emotional, physical, and financial health. You will submit a recorded video entry (max 3 minutes) outlining:

• Problem Identification - Is the problem (the need for the invention/improvement) explained clearly and completely?
• Proposed Solution - Does the invention/improvement represent a realistic, practical solution to the problem?
• Healthy Living Connection - Does the invention/improvement clearly relate to, inspire, and/or support healthy living?
• Ease of Use/Replicability - Is the invention/improvement easy to use and replicate? 
• Creativity/Innovation - Does the invention/improvement represent a creative STEAM response to the problem?
• Presentation Quality - Does the presentation as a whole clearly and completely explain/demonstrate the five criteria listed above?

All participants will have the opportunity to showcase their video presentations during the Maryland STEM Festival.

The top 5 entries will be invited to present at an interactive Spark Tank experience where Tank judges will evaluate, ask follow-up questions, and recognize the top entries. 

Healthy Living Spark Tank Examples and Illustrations

Physical Healthy Living Innovations

• When your 4-H club visits the local nursing home, you notice that many of the older residents have a hard time reading what type of medicine is in their various medicine bottles, so you develop a “Medicine Magnifier”. It’s a simple invention, but it will help so many people. The magnifier is a flexible plastic lens that you can lay over a medicine bottle label to magnify the text. The nursing home residents and so many others are so thankful for your invention.
• Your class took a field trip to NASA. Your tour guide shared the many challenges astronauts face when they are in outer space. One challenge that really struck you was how difficult it is to use the restroom without gravity to hold your body on the toilet seat. So you decide to design a self-cleansing human waste removal system for a spacesuit similar to the self-cleaning cat litter boxes you’ve seen advertised on television. NASA and the astronauts will be forever grateful. 

Emotional Healthy Living Innovations

• You are sad to see so many of your friends struggling emotionally. So you decide to create something that will help them cope with the stress and anxiety some of them wrestle with. You develop a coping strategy wheel and share it with them. They are so thankful for this new tool to help them cope with daily challenges.  
• You’ve noticed that kids at school are being mean to each other. So you decide to build upon the concept of painted rocks and begin a campaign to create “Kindness Rocks”, which can be painted and decorated in any manner, but they all will have a tip on how to show kindness. The rocks are a hit, and before you know it a “kindness rocks” club is flourishing at school.

Social Healthy Living Innovations

• Your 4-H club has been learning about healthy living. You were surprised to learn that so many kids today feel lonely since anyone can talk to anybody at any time with all of our social media tools and apps. You decide that kids will feel less alone if they are actually spending time with other people, instead of with their phones or computers. So you design an app that records how much time is spent on social media and reminds people to go outside and interact with the world and all the fascinating people in it.
• You have a friend that has been severely bullied at school. You decide to raise awareness of bullying by designing and distributing anti-bullying buttons. These are pins with anti-bullying messages. You work with your teachers and principal to develop incentives to encourage kids to purchase and wear the anti-bullying buttons.  

Financial Healthy Living Innovations

• You are taking a financial wellness class in school. In class, you learn that nearly 70% of Americans have less than $1000 in savings. So, for your class project, you decide to create an app to track spending, savings, and sharing (giving).  
• Your little sister thinks she can have anything she wants. She doesn’t understand that money is a limited resource. To help her, and other young kids understand this, you develop a fun activity to help kids clarify needs from wants. 

 Score sheet