Union County, NJ – Educators and afterschool program staff have a chance to learn hands on activities that give students real-life experience with engineering and scientific exploration. It’s all part of the Design It! Explore It! workshop series offered by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program.
These professional development workshops provide everything educators need to introduce the activities to an afterschool program for students in grades 2-8. Ongoing support from Rutgers 4-H is also included.
“No matter where their career takes them, students with a good STEM background develop valuable life skills including observation and science-based inquiry,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “Reinforcing those skills in a relaxed, informal setting is a good addition to an educator’s toolkit.”
Design It! and Explore It! help students engage with science and technology topics through fun, hands-on projects including gliders, straw rockets, and cake chemistry.
The programs were created by Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development and the New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition, which have also partnered to introduce the two programs to educators throughout New Jersey.
Registration closes on June 12. To reserve a place, visit the Extension at Rutgers University, nj4h.rutgers.edu/educators. Questions may be directed to Chad Ripberger at Rutgers 4-H, ripberger@rce.rutgers.edu.
In Union County, the Rutgers Co-operative Extension provides many learning and volunteer opportunities for children and adults, including 4-H Clubs for students in grades 1-12, and the Master Gardener and Master Tree Stewards community service programs. For more information about programs in Union County visit ucnj.org/rce or call the Extension offices in Westfield, 908-654-9854.
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