FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2014
Union County, NJ – Registration is still open until June 13 for professional development workshops designed to help afterschool educators and staff bring the award-winning Design It! and Explore It!engineering and science programs for children ages 8-12.
The two afterschool programs help students engage with science and technology topics through fun, hands-on projects including gliders, straw rockets, and cake chemistry.
“By bringing relevant learning opportunities like Design It! and Explore It! to Union County, afterschool programs can help prepare our children for the STEM-related careers of the future,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.
Design It! and Explore It! were created by Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development and the New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition (NJSACC), which have also partnered to introduce the two programs to educators throughout New Jersey.
In addition to providing the professional development workshops, Rutgers 4-H and the Care Coalition will provide all of the related curricula and materials needed to implement the programs. On-going support and technical assistance are also part of the package.
For information about site enrollment and payment for the workshops, contact Mike MacEwan at the Care Coalition, mmacewan@njsacc.org.
More details about the Design It! and Explore It! programs are available atnj4h.rutgers.edu/educators, or contact Chad Ripberger of Rutgers 4-H atripberger@rce.rutgers.edu.
In Union County, the Rutgers Co-operative Extension offers a diverse slate of activities for children and adults supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, including 4-H Clubs for children in grades 1-12, and the Master Gardener and Master Tree Stewards community service programs. For information visit ucnj.org/rce or call the Extension offices in Westfield, 908-654-9854.
##
Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.