4-H Has been STEMLong before STEM became the Buzzword in our formal andInformal Educational Programs

4-H Aquatic Robotics Pilot Project

Regions 6, 12, & 18 including teams from 9 of the 23 Counties

Water Quiz

• All of the water that falls on and in Iowa goes _______? (direction eventually)

• The water will travel this direction in one of two major waterways?

• Is there any new water?

Water is one of our most valuable resources…

• Recreation, pools, lakes and streams• Fishing• Crop Agriculture• Animal Agriculture• Human Consumption

– Shower, Toilet, Washing Clothes and Dishes, drinking, watering the lawn and garden,

• Fire Fighting, Manufacturing, Energy Needs

A Break down of our use:

So How do we get Youth interested in this most important resource?

• We are hoping in tying learning about water usage and quality through building Aquatic Robots that can ACTUALLY serve as tools of research equipped with cameras and testing equipment, we accomplish two goals…

Our Goals of 4-H Aquatic Robotics

1. We take a turned on technology smart group of youth interested in messing with the Aquatic Robots and they learn a whole lot about how this underwater robot tool can provide answers through testing

2. We unite a group of adults who have a great concern for our water sources and a great group of youth ready to apply their robots to testing

So on March 29 in Carroll, IA

• 9 teams, 7th-10th Graders in 4-H from across SW Iowa will join together at the Carroll County Extension Office and build Robots

They will get a chance to learn to operate the robots

Then in the Spring and Summer 2014

So what kind of testing can we do

• Analyze from video and water samples the macro and micro invertebrates that are present

• Dissolved Oxygen Level testing in Layers• Nitrate and Nitrite Testing• Ph levels• Testing for Pesticides

So why is 4-H Successful

• Belonging—– Finding that you have things in

common with others and you are accepted and made to feel part of the group

• Mastery — – Encouraged to try new experiences and

find out what things you are good at

So why is 4-H Successful

• Independence—– Giving youth a choice in what they will

do and a voice in where the group is headed

• Generosity— – When youth belong, feel that they have

skills they have accomplished and are given choices, youth will choose to share with others of their knowledge time and skills. We need to provide them with a chance to give back

So what are the outcomes of someone in 4-H

• Communication• Leadership• Citizenship• Applied Technology

Thanks for asking us to share our 4-H Story