4-H Eco-Bot Challenge
Throughout the month of October, University of Maine Cooperative Extension will join millions of young people across the nation and in Maine to become scientists for a day during the fifth annual 4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD). As part of 4-H NYSD, youth and volunteers may participate in the 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge: the 2012 National Science Experiment in which youngsters explore how robots function and could be used to help clean up hazardous materials spills. The 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge will demonstrate that by utilizing engineering principles, youth can have a positive impact on communities and ecosystems.
To combat a national shortage of young people pursuing science college majors and occupations, and to enhance the nation’s contribution to the sciences, 4-H NYSD demonstrates that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and are fun and attainable options for college degrees and future careers. Currently, more than five million young people across the nation participate in 4-H STEM programs.
Find more information on the 4-H NYSD Web site. To register for a local 4-H Youth Science Day activity in Bath, Perry, Windham, Poland, Searsport, Windsor or Topsham, visit the UMaine Extension 4-H Web site.
A Horse of Many Colors is open to new members and is NOT doing animal projects this year. This year’s projects will be:
Equine, Etc is holding a 4-H Food Drive Challenge. Each 4-H club in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties is being challenged to gather as much non-perishable food as possible by November 7, 2012. Bring the items to the Leaders’ meeting scheduled for the evening of November 7, where it will be collected and donated to a local food pantry. The 4-H club that collects the most food will be announced November 18 at Achievement Night. The prize for the winning club is a pizza party hosted by the members of Equine, Etc!
Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties 4-H is looking for volunteers to serve on the Campership/Scholarship Committee. This group will design the standards and criteria and application process for youth to apply. This group will meet 1-2 times for 90 minutes. If you are interested please contact Robin Beck or call 207-320-2325.
4-H Science Experiment Series
When: Tuesdays, October 2nd thru November 6th, 4:00 p.m.
Where: Patten Free Library, Bath ME
Fee: None
To Register: Contact Carol at the Library 207-443-5141
The 4-H Science Experiment Series
For more information about the experiment series, contact Sarah Sparks or call (207) 353-5550 or (800) 287-1458 (in Maine), TDD: 1-800-287-8957. You can also find details on the Events Calendar.
UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals. Any person with a disability who needs accommodations for this program should contact Sarah Sparks or call 1-800-287-1458 to discuss their needs.
4-H National Youth Science Day Experiment
The 2012 National Science Experiment, the 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge, explores how robots can be used to preserve and protect the environment, while offering a glimpse into the future of science, technology, engineering and math. Youth will assemble their own Eco-Bot, then discover how the robot functions. Youth will design a set of control surfaces to program the Eco-Bot to perform a simulated environmental clean-up project.
Join in the experiment at one of these sites, or host your own 4-H National Youth Science Day site!
The 2012 4-H National Science Experiment Eco-Bot Challenge
Please register at the hosting library. For more information about the experiment, contact Sarah Sparks or call (207) 353-5550 or (800) 287-1458 (in Maine), TDD: 1-800-287-8957. You can also find details on the Events Calendar.
UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals. Any person with a disability who needs accommodations for this program should contact Sarah Sparks or call 1-800-287-1458 to discuss their needs.
Horse owners, care takers and pre-veterinary students will learn about the most serious infectious diseases that can affect their animals and what can be done to improve biosecurity and prevent disease outbreaks on the farm at the upcoming Horse Health Education Conference. The featured speaker is Dr. Mary Rose Paradis, Large Animal Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, New Grafton, MA.
When: Saturday, November 17, 2012
Where: Pineland Equestrian Center, New Gloucester ME
Fee: $15/adult or $10/students for early registrations received by November 9 (a limited number of scholarships are available). Late and walk-in registrations are $25/adult or $20/student.
Register online or send your check made out to UMaine Extension with your name, address, phone, and email to Melissa Libby, 134 Hitchner Hall, UMaine Extension, Orono, ME 04469-5735. Bring your own lunch or purchase lunch ticket at check-in. For more information contact Melissa Libby or call 207-581-2788 or 1-800-287-7170 (in Maine).
UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals. Any person with a disability who needs accommodations for this program should contact Melissa Libby at 207-581-2788 or 1-800-287-7170 (in Maine) to discuss your needs.
Fall Paper Clover Promotion
The Maine 4-H Foundation Paper Clover Promotion runs the month of October at businesses across the state. Clubs are invited to participate and are asked to contact their UMaine Extension office about how they can help promote 4-H!
Jolly 4-H Market
The Jolly Farmers and Jolly Juniors of Coopers Mills would like to invite all 4-Hers and 4-H groups throughout the state of Maine to join us in our first Jolly 4-H Market on October 6, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Windsor Fairgrounds in the Commercial Building. Crafters may set up at 8:00 a.m. Bring crafts and market items of all kinds to sell: jewelry, ornaments, flowers, pumpkins, etc. No raffles or bake/food sales allowed. All exhibitors must be active members of 4-H
Cost is $10.00 for 8’ space (you provide your own tables and chairs) or $15.00 for 8’ space including 1 table and 2 chairs. The Jolly Farmers and The Jolly Juniors 4-H clubs will have a concession stand with hotdogs, popcorn, drinks and other delectable goodies. For more information contact Darlene Newcombe or call 207-549-4532.
Robotics Expo
You’re invited to join us for a day of fun with robotics and science on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at the University of Southern Maine, Gorham campus. The event is open to any youth, ages 5-18, participating in or interested in 4-H robotics program. Prior robotics experience is not needed to attend. In the morning, individuals and teams will have the opportunity to share their ideas and creations with judges and other participants in a non-competitive ‘science fair’ format. During the day, youth participate in a workshop and in an on-site challenge event. Pre-registration is required.
More information is available on the program Web site or contact Sarah Sparks or call 1-800-287-1458 or if you have any questions.
Maine Innovation Convention Invites 4-H Participants!
The Maine Innovation Convention, hosted by the Foster Center for Student Innovation at the University of Maine, announces an informational meeting for educators/volunteers on October 27, 2012, 8 AM – 4 PM at the Foster Center for Student Innovation, University of Maine, Orono. The goal of the Convention is to provide an opportunity for Maine middle school students to think creatively and practically as they explore, create, and promote innovative solutions to everyday challenges in their world and beyond. Throughout the school year, middle school participants work with their peers to identify and solve problems by using the Innovation Engineering process, developed and taught at the University of Maine.
More information on the Maine Innovation Convention is available on the Web site or contact Angela Marcolini or by phone at (207) 581-1429.
National 4-H Notes Maine Project Success
The National 4-H Council has posted a report on its “Join the Revolution of Responsibility” Web site about a $4,000 grant from the UMaine Extension’s 4-H Engaging Youth, Serving Communities program. The award helped a fundraising effort by students at Sebasticook Valley Middle and Nokomis Regional High schools in Newport to raise $6,000 to build an off-road walkway between the two schools. Less than a half-mile apart, students from the two schools previously walked along the side of the road.
Military Teen Adventure Camps 2012-2013
Nearly 1600 military teens (14-18 years old) have an opportunity to participate (at little to no cost) in adventure camps scheduled April 2012 through March 2013. These high energy, high adventure, and high experience camps are planned across the United States from Alaska to Maine and from Colorado to Georgia as well as states in between.
Each camp offers a unique outdoor experience that will allow a teen to build leadership, self-confidence, and teamwork skills while participating in activities like backpacking, river rafting, canoeing, wilderness survival, rocketry, rock climbing, GPS use, mountain biking, first aid, winter camping, dog sledding, ropes courses, camp cooking, archery, and other camp activities. Camps for youth with special needs (mental, physical, and emotional) are also planned in California, Ohio, and New Hampshire. For military youth already in the Pacific Rim, two camp dates are available in Hawaii. More information is available online.
The University of Maine 4-H Shooting Sports Program Update
The University of Maine 4-H Shooting Sports Program has established an account in the MidwayUSA Scholastic Shooting Trust. Donations to this fund are currently being matched 3:1 by the owners of MidwayUSA. We can draw up to 5% annually from this account for program support. Currently, our account balance is over $50,000.00. Additionally, UMaine 4HSS has received donations of equipment from the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance of over $3000.00, and from the NRA Foundation of over $3500.00. For more information contact Scott Olsen or visit the program’s Web page.
Market Steers for Windsor and Fryeburg
4-Hers raising a steer for the 2013 market steer shows at Windsor or Fryeburg Fairs need to send in an Intent to Participate Form by January 3, 2013. We appreciate you completing your paperwork early. Please enroll or re-enroll as a 4-H member early, and send your Intent to Participate form to your county office. The earlier we receive your paperwork, the earlier we can begin tagging animals, and avoiding tagging during the winter months.
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