STEM – Science Technology Engineering and Math
4-H Junior Robotics with NXT-G
The Junior 4-H robotics program offers 4-H'ers ages 8-13 an opportunity to learn basic programming skills in addition to teamwork, public speaking and other life skills. The robotics program utilizes the LEGO Mindstorms Robot with NXT-G software. Advanced Juniors may also use RobotC software. The program is a yearlong program. Participants utilize the national 4-H robotics curriculum as well as the software curriculum. Participants will build the REM robot, program the NXT robot, use advanced programming commands, make use of sensors in programming, and solve age appropriate research problems. Learn more about 4-H Junior Robotics at http://4hrobotics.msucares.com/curriculum/junior/.
4-H Junior Computer Challenge (10 & 11 year olds)
This program will prepare 4-H'ers for a digital economy by engaging them in hands-on computer science learning opportunities. Based off of the curriculum by code.org, participants will learn concepts such as conditions, algorithms, binary code, and debugging. These lessons will prepare 4-H'ers to use Scratch Jr. for the computer contest at 4-H project achievement days. Participants will create a program using Scratch Jr.; give a 3-5 minute presentation using key terms such as loops, debugging, conditionals, and algorithms; and understand the impact computer science has on the world around them.
4-H Cloverbud Robotics Curriculum with Dash
Research shows that if girls are not exposed to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects by Kindergarten and minority boys by first grade, the chances of them pursing STEM decrease significantly as they grow older. This program will serve as a gateway both to the local county 4-H program and future STEM education. Learn more about 4-H Cloverbud Robotics at http://4hrobotics.msucares.com/curriculum/cloverbud/.
4-H Cloverbud Robotics Curriculum with WeDo
Research shows that if girls are not exposed to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects by Kindergarten and minority boys by first grade, the chances of them pursing STEM decrease significantly as they grow older. This program will serve as a gateway both to the local county 4-H program and future STEM education. Participants will: understand that robots are moving parts and need programmed instruction to perform behaviors, know that a program is a sequence of instructions for the robot to follow, create repeating instructions using loops, and program the robot to use sensors to feel and see what is around it. Learn more about 4-H Senior Robotics at http://4hrobotics.msucares.com/curriculum/senior/.
Robotics from MSUES CTO - Distance Education on Vimeo.
Publications
News
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mariah Morgan remembers inquisitive 8-year-olds, just learning how to program beginner robots for 4-H projects. The rest of the world now sees one of them as a team of champion programmers.
Wait For It, the Rankin County 4-H robotics club, just earned top honors at the FIRST Tech Challenge at Minute Maid Park in Houston. FIRST stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology."
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi 4-H offers a unique way to celebrate the unofficial Star Wars Day, May 4, by encouraging support of the state 4-H Robotics Program.
May 4 is recognized for its connection to the famous movie line, "May the force be with you."
"May the Fourth has become a day to celebrate science, technology, engineering and math," said Mariah Morgan, an assistant Extension professor with the Mississippi State University Extension Center for Technology Outreach.
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Local 4-H’ers weren't waiting until 4-H National Youth Science Day on Wednesday to open their 4-H Drone Discovery Challenge kits. Instead, the Clover Dawgs robotics engineering club began work Friday.
Each Oktibbeha County kid looked skeptically at the first set of components for the much-anticipated activity: a green, plastic tube that resembled a thick-walled straw, along with a short, white, lightweight propeller. Their mission was to build plastic helicopters.
By Michaela Parker
MSU Extension Service
ARTESIA, Miss. -- Children’s faces lit up as they watched their bright-blue robots glide across the floor at their commands.
Nate Peterson, community development coordinator for Artesia, watched his 32 summer campers beam with excitement as they played with robots for the first time. Peterson worked alongside camp director Betty Sanders to coordinate sports, educational demonstrations and other activities for local children to enjoy while their parents were at work.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Summer camp is going high tech for Mississippi teachers, senior 4-H’ers, and 4-H agents and volunteers.
The Mississippi State University Extension Service will host the second annual Robotics Academy July 27-30 at the Bost Extension Center on the MSU main campus. Participants will learn how to plan a robotics program, how to host a robotics camp, how to plan a successful fundraising campaign, and how to use 4-H robotics and coding in the school setting.
Attendees can choose from four educational tracks:
Success Stories
Do you know a high school student interested in working in the medical field or a related science career one day?
The Rural Medical and Science Scholars program could be for them.
(Photo by Kevin Hudson)
When she started volunteering with Tate County 4-H almost 15 years ago, Joy Magness didn’t know much about the youth development program delivered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
She was home-schooling her two children, Samantha and Eli, and her fellow home-schooling parent and friend Adelia Gaines asked Magness if she’d like her kids to join 4-H and if she’d like to volunteer.
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