
Explorers of the Deep
Kids learn foundational STEM skills while they wrestle with the same questions as today’s top oceanographers and scientists! Activities can be done all at once or individually, making it great for classrooms, afterschool programs, clubs, parents and more.
Ocean Robot Test Tank
Get your ocean robot ready for a research mission! Youth learn how to “ballast” their ocean robot by adding weights to create the sinking and floating behavior of a real ocean robot. They will investigate data collected by ocean robots and learn about the value of ocean exploration.
Ocean Expedition
Playing an ocean-inspired board game, youth navigate their ocean robot around the world while learning key ocean concepts such as aquaculture, climate change, technological innovation, human impact and the ocean ecosystem.
Ocean Communicator
Youth investigate challenges that ocean scientists, engineers and technologists are currently exploring. Each challenge requires innovations and technical solutions that inspire public action.
How to Participate
New this year is the ability to customize the base kit to include more participants or add extra supplies as needed. Purchase a kit from SHOP 4‑H that includes all the base materials needed to complete each activity at home or in a small group setting.
- Kit includes materials for 4-6 youth or more if rotating to participate in the offline activities at the same time.
- Additional supplies (youth guides, gliders, and board games) can be purchased to expand the number of youth a kit can serve at one time.
- Kits can be used in spaces where physical distancing can be observed.
Pre-order 2022 STEM Challenge kits beginning August 1.
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Past Challenges
Since 2008, 4‑H STEM Challenge, formerly known as 4‑H National Youth Science Day (NYSD), has been the premier national rallying event for year-round 4‑H science programming, bringing together youth, volunteers and educators from all over the country to complete hands-on STEM activities.

Talent is Everywhere. Opportunity is Not.
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4-H at Home
4‑H at Home provides hands-on, educational activities for kids and teens all year long. Get our latest 4‑H at Home Activity Guide, activities from 4‑H Land-Grant Universities, and more.