4-H Youth Development

A group of Oklahoma 4-H’ers will participate in the four-day, interactive Ignite by 4-H summit in Washington, D.C., March 12-16. More than 1,500 teens from across the country will collaborate, create and ignite their passion for expanding their minds and their world.

 

Delegates from Oklahoma include Charramaiyne Brown and Jeremiah Lam, Grady County; Rebekah Gilmore and Amberly Gilmore, Dewey County; Andy Jolly and Amanda Jolly, Pontotoc County; and Kate Wardlaw, Payne County.

 

Participants will have four tracks from which to choose, including agri-science, community accelerators, healthy living and STEM. Kelly Wardlaw, Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development STEM specialist, said the Oklahoma 4-H’ers will present two STEM-related workshops.

 

“One workshop is called Under Pressure: The Magic of Hydraulics and Pneumatics. They will build mini presses and squish Play-Doh while learning the science behind them,” Wardlaw said. “Their other workshop is Shoot for the Moon and will concentrate on space. They’ll build straw rockets, model moon phases and make mini planetariums. I’m proud of the work they’ve put in to make these presentations educational and fun for participants.”

 

Wardlaw said these club members have been heavily involved in STEM activities for the past year and recently presented these two workshops at the statewide Innovators Summit. This gave them a chance to come together and practice their presentation before presenting on a national stage at the Ignite by 4-H summit.

 

“I’m looking forward to getting more ideas from other states to bring back to Dewey County and Oklahoma, and share my ideas with others,” said Amberly Gilmore. “I’m also looking forward to learning more about STEM.”

 

Jeremiah Lam said since he became a STEM Innovator, he is now more confident in his presentations.

 

“I’ve been able to teach several workshops in a leadership role and I’m looking forward to gaining even more knowledge and experience in STEM,” he said.

 

Kate Wardlaw said her previous experiences teaching workshops to large groups have helped her prepare for this upcoming national presentation.

 

“I learn something new every time I teach a workshop and being a STEM Innovator has helped me grow my leadership skills,” Kate Wardlaw said. “This conference has so much to offer and I’m looking forward to learning about the STEM programs in other states.”

 

In addition to teaching workshops, the Ignite by 4-H participants will hear from guest speaker Emily Calandrelli, a science communicator and host of “Emily’s Wonder Lab” on Netflix. They’ll also have the opportunity for some sightseeing while in Washington, D.C.

 

Learning by doing has long been the philosophy of 4-H, and Kelly Wardlaw said these club members are honing many skills as they prepare for this leadership experience, including public speaking, communication, and teamwork.

 

“It’s important to remember that STEM is part of everything we do, not just in 4-H, but in life,” Kelly Wardlaw said. “In 4-H, STEM activities provide a place for kids to belong and find their spark. People often think of 4-H as ag-related, which it is, but it’s so much more. STEM has something for everyone, and these kids going to this summit have found their spark and can’t wait to share it with others.”

 

More information about the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program is available online. Contact Kelly Wardlaw at k.wardlaw@okstate.edu for additional information regarding 4-H STEM projects and curriculum.