[Image: National Science Day]Chevy Chase, Md. (September 8, 2008) – National 4-H Council today announced details of the first-ever National Science Experiment (NSE), the designated science activity of 4-H National Youth Science Day (4-H NYSD) to be held October 8, 2008. The National Science Experiment will focus on the environment and will use science principles to teach youth across the country about the importance of water conservation. Science education expert Steve Spangler worked closely with 4-H and Dr. Bob Horton, 4-H science education specialist for The Ohio State University Extension, to create the NSE and related activities, which will be made available to the 6 million 4-H youth plus parents, teachers, students, and youth organizations nationwide.
Youth who participate in the National Science Experiment will examine the properties of water-absorbing polymers, which are long chains of molecules that can be used in environmental applications such as agriculture, erosion control, soil management, and environmental clean-ups. Youth of all ages will test the effectiveness of polymers in an easy-to-administer soil and water experiment and then post their findings online to engage in dialogue with fellow youth nationwide.
One of the goals of the experiment is to encourage youth to discuss the potential impact of superabsorbent polymers as well as environmental issues relating to water conservation and groundwater contamination. 4-H, part of the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture and the 106 Land-Grant Universities across the country, has been educating youth on agriculture and the sciences for over 100 years. 4-H NYSD and NSE exemplify the kind of exploration that the organization encourages so that youth become skilled, responsible, and caring adults in the future.
“The National Science Experiment is a hands-on project with practical benefits that educate youth about our environment -- all the while making science fun,” said Dr. Horton. “The experiment helps youth not only understand how superabsorbent polymers can be used in horticulture, gardening, landscaping, and specialty crop farming, but also how they can address water conservation and groundwater contamination issues in their own community.”
“4-H has an incredibly strong foundation in the sciences thanks to its relationship with Land-Grant Universities across the U.S.,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., CEO and president of the National 4-H Council. “This experiment is an example of the way 4-H encourages youth to make a real difference in their community and in the world. 4-H National Youth Science Day will inspire young people to study and to pursue careers in the sciences so that our country is more prepared to handle global challenges in the future.”
Steve Spangler, a science author, teacher, and TV personality, will serve as a 4-H NYSD spokesperson, demonstrating water conservation activities at select events across the country. Spangler is widely-known in cyberspace for teaching millions of youth how to create an exploding geyser using ordinary soda and Mentos. He has made over 500 television appearances, including several stints on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and as the science education specialist for the NBC affiliate in Denver. He won an Emmy in 1997 as host of the nationally-syndicated News for Kids show. Spangler is an authority on hands-on science and inquiry-based learning and regularly leads teacher-training seminars across the U.S.
“I’m excited to be a part of this amazing 4-H event where people of all ages will get excited about science and the steps we can take to make our world a better place to live,” said Spangler. “This project is a great opportunity for getting kids to ask questions, make discoveries, explore new ideas, and truly be engaged in their own learning.”
4-H National Youth Science Day was announced in June alongside a new public service campaign “One Million New Scientists. One Million New IdeasTM.” The campaign supports the organization’s long-term goal of attracting 1 million new youth to 4-H science, engineering, and technology programs by the year 2013. 4-Hexisting science curriculum combined with these new initiatives will arm youth with the technical skills needed to help America maintain its competitive edge in the global marketplace. For more information on 4-H National Youth Science Day, go to www.4-H.org.
4-H is a community of 6 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. National 4-H Council is the national, private sector, non-profit partner of the 4-H Youth Development Program and its parent, the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture.