More than 2,000 youth experienced one or more of the 4-H STEM in Agriculture activities that were conducted by Ohio 4-H at this year’s Farm Science Review (FSR). These experiential learning activities focused on STEM-related careers within agriculture and beyond, while engaging young minds in applying STEM concepts that can address real-world problems.
Often, people see and hear about the varying issues facing agriculture and wonder what possible solutions may be. At the STEM tent, participants had the hands-on opportunity to explore these solutions.
“For one activity, learners built a bio-composite block with hempcrete, a product that is made from industrial hemp, lime, and water,” reflected Patty House, Extension educator for Clark County 4-H and the 4-H STEM Tent coordinator. “This sustainable building solution is being used as a fireproof building alternative in areas left devastated by forest fire destruction.”
Another activity included learning about the importance of pollinators to food security and exploring what that means on a deeper level. Youth not only learned the importance of all types of bees, but they also learned about buzz pollination and how essential it is to crops like tomatoes and blueberries that require a high frequency vibration. To mimic the buzzing that bees produce, participants constructed a bee hummer to test. In addition, they also learned about artificial intelligence and how it is creating bee robots to aid areas with insufficient bee pollination.
Not only were youth able to see the impact that bees have on our environment, they also were able to see the products they can provide us with beyond honey—like beeswax. Cynthia Canan, the State 4-H STEM Specialist, led participants in an activity that explored beeswax, and at the end, they crafted their own beeswax candles by rolling wax strips around a cotton wick, creating a sustainable and healthier alternative.
Career exploration continued at stations focused on food science, engineering, plant science, genetics, and animal science.
One popular station featured dessert-making, which explored chemistry and food safety. Youth made gluten-free, lactose-free cake in the microwave and used liquid nitrogen to create ice cream, demonstrating how science can accommodate dietary needs and speed up food preparation.
“Whether youth were engineering a bridge to support their weight or designing a soybean planter to test with an autonomous Sphero robot, youth experienced skills and processes used every day by engineers,” said House. “The key to all the Ohio 4-H STEM agriculture activities was to spark young people’s interest in seeing themselves in a STEM career while fueling their creativity and problem-solving skills in fun, collaborative ways.”