Summer means one thing to youth programs: camps! The UMES 4-H STEM team is busy providing summer science fun to youth across the Lower Shore as they gather for day camps and other short-term summer programs. Our team’s mission is to provide high-quality, hands-on STEM experiences for ages 5-18 by partnering with community organizations and schools, especially those that work in underserved communities. A partner organizations only needs to contact UMES Extension 4-H STEM with its needs and logistical details, and one of our 4-H STEM educators will be assigned to develop and deliver a fun lesson. They bring their own curriculum, materials, equipment and years of expertise. The staff at the partner organization can relax and be assured that their program’s youth are engaged!
UMES Upward Bound has invited Jeremiah Mowen and Diamond Nwaeze to be major contributors to its six-week summer program for high school students. Jeremiah is our resident robotics expert, and is teaching the teens how to construct, program and operate small robots every Monday. As for Diamond, one of her passions is college and career readiness, and she is doing intensive coursework with the participants three times a week during July to help them decide their post high school paths.
Another major partnership is with Horizons Delmarva, a local nonprofit organization that provides educational opportunities for low-income youth in Wicomico and Worcester counties. In addition to Jeremiah and Diamond, our third 4-H STEM educator, Brad Hartle, will also teach enrichment lessons for youth ages 6-11 every Friday at their Salisbury and Snow Hill sites. These lessons will range from stomp rockets to edible insects to community gardening.
Brad is also busy partnering with county Recreation and Parks day camps across the Lower Shore. His specialties include environmental science and marine ecology, which are ideal topics to cover at these mostly outdoor programs.
If you are interested in any of the above programs, or would like to request a 4-H STEM educator visit to your youth-serving organization, please contact me at amclay@umes.edu.
Special to the UMES Extension Connections newsletter, by Ariel Clay, 4-H Youth Development STEM specialist with UMES Extension.
Photos by Todd Dudek, UMES Ag Communications, tdudek@umes.edu
