WASHINGTON, April 11, 2017 – Wearable technology has been improving our lives for centuries, starting with such enduring inventions as eyeglasses and watches. As new wearable technology innovations capture the world’s attention, 4‑H – America’s largest youth development organization – is engaging young people to explore the field of wearable technology. Through 4‑H National Youth Science Day (4‑H NYSD), 4‑H seeks to inspire the next generation to engineer wearable solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges: How can a space suit support life on Mars? How can devices cure disease with real-time treatments? How can our clothes make us healthier, smarter and more productive?
The 2017 4‑H NYSD challenge, Incredible Wearables, introduces kids to the world of wearable technology through a hands-on engineering challenge designed to get kids excited about STEM. Developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Incredible Wearables brings youth together to design and build a wearable fitness tracking device. This high-tech, low-cost project is perfect for classroom or out-of-school learning, and is suitable for 4th-12th graders. Each kit is reusable and comes equipped with all the materials necessary for 10 youth to complete the experiment. Incredible Wearables kits are available at the 4‑H Mall.
On October 4, 2017, an estimated 100,000 kids and adults will participate in 4‑H NYSD by completing the Incredible Wearables challenge in classrooms, homes and community spaces across the country – making 4‑H NYSD the world’s largest hands-on engineering challenge. National 4‑H Council will host the flagship event in New York City in partnership with Cornell University Cooperative Extension. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of 4‑H NYSD, 4‑H is calling upon young people and youth groups across the nation to help us set a record for participation. For information on how you can get involved and join the 4‑H NYSD movement, visit www.4-h.org/nysd.
“What makes 4‑H NYSD so unique is that it gets tens of thousands of kids excited about studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) on a single day,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4‑H Council. “Incredible Wearables is an exhilarating experience that allows young people to roll up their sleeves and create cutting-edge technology, not just use it.”
National Partners supporting the 2017 4‑H NYSD are HughesNet®, Lockheed Martin and U.S. Cellular ©. DuPont is a Signature Partner and 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 4‑H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.
