This year’s event was no different, as youth put their engineering skills to the test and got moving for STEM! The 2017 “Incredible Wearables” challenge tasked kids with creating their own fitness tracker and testing their custom wearable tech device.
One thing that changed for this year’s national 4‑H NYSD event was the location. The national celebration was held in Brooklyn, NY, and was hosted by P.S. 21 Crispus Attucks in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
The event opening ceremony was short and sweet, emceed by 4‑H STEM Youth Ambassador Kyra Lee Harry from New York 4‑H, and 2017 4‑H Youth in Action STEM winner Ava Lonneman from Ohio 4‑H. With an auditorium of 200+ students from schools across the state, youth told their personal STEM stories, national 4‑H NYSD partners HughesNet, U.S. Cellular, and Lockheed Martin partners shared remarks, and 4‑H Grown alumna and NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson shared a special video message with the young participants.
Kyra Lee Harry shares her STEM story.
Esteemed guest Letitia James, New York City Public Advocate, took the stage to share some inspiration with the “scholars” of the room.
“It’s OK to be a geek,” she shared. “It’s OK to be smart. It’s OK to dream and be anything you want to be… It’s ok to soar.”
Letitia James inspires the room.
After final remarks and instructions, kids and took to their stations and the fun began. Here’s a photo recap of the challenge and bonus STEM activitie:
While some kids tested their fitness trackers, others explored the Innovation Station!
Google stopped by to give kids a glimpse into new worlds through virtual reality!
4‑H NYSD partners learned a lesson in aquaponics.
Check out additional photos from the national event and be sure to follow the hashtag, #4HNSYD, event photos, videos and more nationwide!
