Science
Science is a part of everything we do, whether it is taking to the sky with drones, raising a calf, programming a robot, or even baking a loaf of bread. Arkansas 4-H strives to provide the best research based Science project materials for our agents, volunteers, and 4-H youth to bring into their community. 4‑H STEM programs provide 4‑H youth the opportunity to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through fun, hands-on activities and projects.
Tech Changemakers
The 4-H Tech Changemakers program empowers youth to help their community cross the digital divide and provide STEM lessons in their schools. Arkansas 4-H supplies the education and tools team members need to prepare to teach digital skills to children and adults in their communities. Our current team has over 20 counties and 80 team members. If you would like to request a lesson or join our team, contact Cindy Dabbs Phillips at cdphillips@uada.edu or 870-672-2972.
Computer Science Activities
Arkansas 4-H has created a series of 6 computer science activities to learn about basic concepts of coding, artificial intelligence, and more. These activities are easy for volunteers, parents, or clubs to implement with or without computer science experience. These activities will not only teach computer science ideas, but also build confidence and teach skills relevant across fields from agriculture to technology to the arts. Check out our Computer Science page for more information about each of the activities.
Find Your Science Series
The state staff has worked to put together quick experiments you can do at home with the Find Your Science series. To see all the Find Your Science Series videos, check out our playlist on our YouTube Channel!
Topics include paper airplanes, archeology, food preservation and much more! Be sure to follow Arkansas 4-H on social media to get the latest Find Your Science videos!
2024 SeaPerch Challenge Winners!
Congratulations to all teams that participated in this year's challenge and to those that won a specific area or qualified for the international challenge. The winners will be posted soon on the SeaPerch Page!
SeaPerch is an engineering design program where teams design, build, and utilize an underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV) to complete obstacle and challenge courses. For more information, check out our SeaPerch page or contact your local county extension office. The state challenge is held each spring to qualify for the international SeaPerch Challenge.
What can kids learn?
Arkansas leads the nation when it comes to agriculture and row crop sciences. 4-H youth can explore everything involved from the soil up that contributes to the success of agriculture in Arkansas.
When people think of 4-H, Animal sciences and projects are the first thing that comes to mind. From Beef to Swine, 4-H youth are constantly showing their science skills when working with Animal Science projects.
People have lived in Arkansas long before 4-H was established. 4-H youth are encouraged to explore their past using archeological sciences that stress the importance of careful documentation and protection of our historical artifacts.
Some fun activities to use in your clubs:
The world is ever changing, and through participation in Environmental Sciences, our 4-H youth are encouraged to examine the role they play in maintaining our planet for future generations.
Computers and robotics are all around us, from vacuuming our homes to building our cars, modern society is dependent on robotics and computer sciences. 4-H youth have the opportunity to build their programming skills, building talents, and communication skills while delving into this technology themed program.
Science Projects
This STEM focused kit was developed by a team of educators and oceanographers in the Department of Marine Sciences and the Department of 4-H Youth Development. The kit focuses on the mysteries and adventures of ocean exploration – with ocean robots!
Activities were designed to develop observational and critical thinking skills while exploring the interconnected nature between the ocean and humans, regardless of where they live. 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 the kit a great resource for classrooms, afterschool programs, clubs, families 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. Youth
will join the Coastal Ocean Observing Leadership (COOL) team, to 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.
4-H STEM CHallenge website
Enjoy a day of Space activities to celebrate NASA Day. Activities include information about stars, rocketry, and careers. Click here for more information and links to lessons and activity descriptions.
- Recycled Parts Robot - find the video and directions for creating your own recycled parts robot! Post your robot on social media, tag @arkansas4h & use #AR4H
- Pollution Demonstration using the story of Freddie the Fish! To create your own Freddie the Fish story, use this script or come up with your own - get creative! Find the script here.
- Composting - watch this video for a super quick tutorial on starting a compost pile or bucket for your family and for more, in-depth information on composting, please check this out!
- Earth Day Jar Herb Garden - this is an easy & fun Earth Day activity; it includes recycling a jar & planting some seeds! Find details about starting a Jar Herb Garden here!
- Reading The Lorax by Dr. Seuss! - this story moment is a good wrap-up to Earth Week & a reminder of how important it is to take care of Mother Earth!
Projects in this area include:
- Archeology
- Biology & Chemistry
- Climate
- Energy & Electricity
- Entomology
- Environmental
- Forage & Grasslands
- Forestry
- Water, Wildlife, & Fisheries
Projects in this area include:
- Computer Science & Coding
- Mechanical Sciences (automotive, welding, tractor)
- Robotics, Rocketry, & Aerospace
- Photography & Videography
STEM Kits
The Arkansas 4-H State Office has a collection of STEM equipment available to check through your local county extension office. You can check out kits from one of 5 locations across the list. Please contact your local office for the availability of the equipment in order to make use of these resources in your clubs. Please see the list below to what is available in each location.
This is a complete list of all the available STEM kits. Each location will have different kits available.
- 3D Printers
- 4-H Breakout Bag
- Archeology - Atlatls
- Archeology - Pottery Reconstruction
- Archeology - Project Archeology
- Archeology - Finding Shelter
- Aviation - Indoor & Outdoor obstacle courses
- Binoculars & Astronomy
- Cameras (Canon Rebel DSLR)
- CSI: Clover Science Investigation
- Code Your World (4-H STEM Challenge 2018)
- Cubelets (basic coding blocks)
- DNA Kit (On the STEM trailer)
- Drone Discovery (NYSD 2016)
- Drones
- Ecobots (NYSD 2012)
- Entomology Kits
- Enviroscape
- Fishing Kit
- Forestry Equipment
- Forestry Tree Cookies
- Galactic Quest (4-H STEM Challenge 2021)
- Game Changers (4-H STEM Challenge 2019)
- Geology Kit
- GPS & Compass Kit
- Ground Water Simulation
- Helpful Hydrogels (NYSD 2008)
- Internal Combustion Engin
- Lego Mindstorm EV3 Kits & Challenge Map
- Mars Base Camp (4-H STEM Challenge 2020)
- Maps & Apps (NYSD 2013)
- Motion Commotion (NYSD)
- Mouse Trap Cars
- Ozobots
- Outdoor Skills
- Plant Model & Plant Press
- Pollinators (Honey Bee Challenge & Monarchs on the Move)
- Pollinator Education Materials: Elementary Education, Hive, Bee-ology
- Project WILD Toolkit
- Rockets: Air Pressure Launcher
- Rockets: Film Canister Rockets & PVC Launchers for Stomp Rockets
- Rockets to the Rescue (NYSD 2014)
- Soils
- Snap Circuits
- Solar Cars
- Solar Oven
- Snap Circuits
- Sphero (Coding)
- Tech Xcite Curriculum Kits: Bionic Arm, Cooking with the Sun (Solar Oven), Imaging the Human Body, Quest for Speed (Rubber Band Cars), Racing with the Sun (Solar Cars), Rainwater Harvesting, T.V. Remote
- Tents
- Vet Science Anatomy
- Wind Turbines
- Wired for Wind (NYSD 2011)
There are 5 locations that the 4-H STEM kits are housed. Each location has different kits available dependent on the needs of the region. Kits will be rotated based on need throughout the year.
- Central - Little Rock State Extension Office
- Northwest Region - Franklin County Extension Office
- Northeast Region - Craighead County Extension Office
- Southeast Region - University of Arkansas in Monticello
- Southwest Region - Clark County Extension Office
Only extension employees are allowed to check out the STEM Kits. If you or your club would like to utilize any of these kits contact your local county extension office to request a kit for you.
