4?H Challenges Kids To Become The Next Generation Of Tech Creators In World's Largest Youth-Led Engineering Challenge

NEW YORK, Oct. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, young people across America designed wearable technology devices as part of the 10^th annual 4-H National Youth Science Day (4-H NYSD), an interactive learning experience that gets kids excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln developed this year's 4-H NYSD challenge, Incredible Wearables, which teaches young people to engineer and build a wearable fitness tracking device. More than 100,000 youth are expected to participate at hundreds of local events in all 50 states.

This year's flagship event was co-hosted by Cornell University Cooperative Extension and National 4-H Council at P.S. 21 in Brooklyn, NY. Nearly 300 New York City youth took part in the event, which featured three-time NFL Pro-Bowler Tony Richardson, a video address from NASA astronaut and 4-H alum Peggy Whitson, STEM leaders and hands-on fun for the kids.

"4-H NYSD brings science to life for young people and exposes them to real-world applications of classroom lessons. Wearable technology is especially relevant and continues to improve lives around the world, impacting our experiences with fitness, professional sports and beyond," said Richardson, who is also a youth education advocate.

Throughout the day, 4-H teen leaders and volunteers taught young people how to design, build and optimize the health trackers, with Richardson and other stars helping kids to test their devices and collect data. Youth also explored the 4-H Innovation Space, which included interactive exhibits from 4-H STEM clubs, robotics and hydroponics demonstrations, and a Google volunteer-led virtual reality (VR) experience, featuring a newly released VR Expedition called "4-H: Growing the Next Generation of Tech Leaders."

"4-H NYSD is a catalyst that sparks kids' interest in STEM. This year's challenge, Incredible Wearables, gives youth an opportunity to be engineers for a day through a fun and hands-on project that teaches kids how technology can be created through engineering, not just bought in a store," said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. "With support from our partners, we are able to bring the lasting impact of NYSD to tens of thousands of kids across the country, helping them become the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators."

All youth are invited to participate in 4-H NYSD. For information about how to get involved, visit: www.4-h.org/nysd. Follow Incredible Wearable events around the country with #4HNYSD.

National Partners supporting the 2017 4?H NYSD are HughesNet®, Lockheed Martin and U.S. Cellular ©. DuPont Pioneer and Google are Signature Partners. CA Technologies is an Official Partner.

About 4?H

4?H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4?H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4?H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4?H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4?H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

Learn more about 4?H at www.4?h.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4?h and on twitter at  https://twitter.com/4h.

SOURCE National 4-H Council