4-H Youth Development | UMES Extension

4-H Youth Development

UMES Extension hosts 4-H STEM programs for youth on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, offering them a chance to learn through hands-on projects.

Our experienced team of specialists work with Eastern Shore schools and local organizations, among others, to equip young people with the skills to succeed in scientific careers.

In addition to creating STEM programs at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, we encourage local organizations and schools to request any member of our team to deliver lessons at their events and in their classrooms.

What Is 4-H STEM

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension 4-H Youth Development program is a part of the Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture and land-grant universities. The program is offered in partnership with the National 4-H Council.

Our 4-H STEM programs range from animal, plant and human sciences to robotics, engineering and computer technology. Through these programs, youth, ages 5-18, see first hand how they can make an impact locally and in the world through the wonders of science.

The programs spark youth imaginations and long-lasting passions for STEM to encourage their pursuit of science careers and become the next generation of scientists and knowledgeable workforce and consumers.

How We Can Help

In-school enrichment lessons
After-school program enrichment lessons
Workshops and short-term experiences (ex: day camps)
Professional development for educators and teen counselors
STEM curriculum training for educators
Consultations on new program designs
Support for program evaluations and research projects
Equipment, curriculum booklets and other resources

To request help from our staff, contact the person on our team who best matches your needs directly or contact Ariel Clay at amclay@umes.edu or 410-651-7256.

4-H STEM Mobile Lab

Our Signature Programs

From the annual STEM Expo to a new student internship program, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension 4-H team hosts several special programs each year for youth on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

STEM Expo

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension holds an annual 4-H STEM Expo on the campus in Princess Anne geared toward youth ages 5-18. The Expo shares educational opportunities and programs that the university and community partners have to offer. Contact: Brad Hartle at bhartle@umes.edu

Student Internships

This new yearlong internship program connects local high school students with University of Maryland Eastern Shore faculty to learn valuable skills while conducting meaningful research projects. Cohorts run from October to August each year, with applications opening each spring. Contact: Ariel Clay at amclay@umes.edu

AgVenture

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s 4-H Extension teams hosts the annual AgVenture program, bringing hundreds of elementary school students to the university’s Research, Extension and Teaching Farm. The students take part in hands-on activities aimed at getting them excited about agriculture as a future career. Contact: Ariel Clay at amclay@umes.edu

Maryland Youth Institute World Food Prize

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore hosts the Maryland Youth Institute where high school participants engage with local leaders and agriculture experts on critical global challenges, and research an issue related to food security. Students who participate in the Maryland Youth Institute earn recognition as a Borlaug Scholar and become eligible to be invited as a student delegate to attend the Global Youth Institute held each October in Des Moines, Iowa. The institute is part of the World Food Prize Foundation. Contact Diamond Nwazae at dcnwazae@umes.edu or Theresa Maggio at temaggio1@umes.edu