News Release

Tennessee 4-H awarded $10,000 sponsorship for summer camp STEM experience

Camps in Columbia, Crossville and Greeneville to benefit

Grant and Award Announcement

University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

STEM Learning at UT Extension Ridley 4-H Center, Columbia, Tenn.

image: Youth at this year's Junior 4-H Camp will learn through intentional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) activities. Examples will include the energy of zip-lining, the ecology of wildlife and nature (shown above) and the science of archery. Photo from the UT Extension W. P. Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia, Tenn., courtesy UTIA. view more 

Credit: Photo by L. Vassar.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - University of Tennessee Extension has been awarded one of four $10,000 sponsorships from HughesNet to implement a "Summer Camp STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Experience" during Junior 4-H camp this summer in Columbia, Crossville and Greeneville. During Tennessee 4-H Junior Camp, youth statewide will experience STEM through a series of hands-on stations at 4-H Camp.

Summer Camp STEM Experiences are part of a national effort to spark youth interest in STEM education. The other states selected to receive a Summer Camp STEM grant include Colorado, Kentucky and Missouri.

Youth at this year's Junior 4-H Camp will learn through intentional STEM camp activities. Examples will include the energy of zip-lining, the ecology of wildlife and nature and the science of archery.

National 4-H Council and HughesNet are dedicated to sparking an interest in STEM topics early, through hands-on, community-based STEM learning. In addition to Summer Camp STEM Experiences, HughesNet works with National 4-H Council to support STEM programs such as the 4-H Youth in Action STEM Award, National Engineering Week and National Youth Science Day - the world's largest youth-led science challenge that engages young scientists from around the country. The effort includes a focus on communities where resources for science-focused community programs are often limited.

4-H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. A program of the Cooperative Extension System and USDA, 4-H serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. In Tennessee some 4,500 youth from across the state are expected to attend 4-H Camp this summer.

Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

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Learn more about 4-H at http://www.4-H.org, find 4-H on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/4-H and Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/4H.

To learn more about Tennessee 4-H, visit the website 4h.tennessee.edu

Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu


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