Engineering and Technology

Arkansas 4-H has a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs for 4-H'ers. Programs range from robotics, International SeaPerch Challenge, photography, videography, and more. 

Programs

Arkansas 4-H is proud to be a part of the National 4-H Tech Changemaker program sponsored by Microsoft, Verizon, Land O'Lakes, and Tractor Supply Co. This program utilizes the technology gurus of our 4-H members to teach adults in their community. This program focuses on improving employability skills for their community and closing the digital divide. Check out more information on the National Tech Changemakers website. Be sure to create a login so that you can have access to all the resources and lessons.

We are excited to be continuing this program and training more youth to become Tech Changemakers. Summer training will be held at the Arkansas 4-H Center on July 10-12, 2023. This training will be completely FREE for youth and agents/volunteers that sign up to attend. Sign up form will be available soon in the AR 4-H Events & Enrollment System.

National Tech Changemaker Site

AR 4-H Lessons & Resources    Marketing resources

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Arkansas 4-H SeaPerch Challenge is a regional qualifier for the International SeaPerch Challenge  hosted by RoboNation. This is open to any youth within Arkansas. Youth construct a remote operated vehicle (ROV) to maneuver through underwater obstacles. Learning objectives such as construction, buoyancy, circuitry, team development, engineering design process and much more are accomplished in this project. 

Click here for more information about the current SeaPerch Challenge.

Many 4-H Clubs across the state participate in various robotics competitions including FIRST Lego Leagues and VEX Robotics.  These teams compete across the state in various competitions within their respective leagues.

The 4 covers of the Junk Drawer Robotics Curriculum - Levels 1 through 4.

This is an introductory robotics curriculum that requires no special equipment. It is designed to develop critical thinking skills, engineering design process, and basic robotic designs.

Most of the items needed for activities include binder clips, paper clips, rubber bands, pennies, craft sticks, and other general home and office supplies. Limited supplies are available through the State 4-H office. Check with your county agent for availability to check out these supplies. 

Image of a white drone with black propellers in air with snow covered moutains in background.Arkansas 4-H is excited to incorporate aviation curriculum. The usage of drones is a growing technology with all job fields. This program where youth can learn basic aviation, flight, and proper flying techniques. The beginner level of the program is focused on flight, lift, wind and basic drone techniques where the advanced level teaches about safe flight of an Unmanned Aircraft System (U A S) and U A S flight crew.

3D Printing has a wide range of applications from printing replacement parts, designing prototypes, and even prosthetics. 3D design can be used with household items to computer aided design software. 

Knowing how to program a computer is a vital skill in today's workforce. Computer coding can range from basic coding of a series of steps to complete lines of code for resources. Don't let this topic intimidate you, if you can follow a recipe, you can follow code. The past few years, National 4-H Council has devoted the National Youth Science Day program to Computer Science in teaching the basic concepts and giving opportunity for growth  of youth that participate no matter what skill level they are at. 

Check out resources below and on our CS Page for easy to follow activities that can be done with or without computers. There are many ways to learn about how computers "think" and process information no matter what setting you are in.

Resources

Arduinos are micro-controllers that can be programmed for just about any function. Check out the resources and activity listed below for your advanced coding experts.

Follow the instructions for an activity to get started.

Goals & Objectives:

Let's code to make the LED blink. Learn the basics of coding.

Activity Instructions

  1. Make sure that the program Arduino IDE is installed on your computer.
  2. Make sure you have a controller board, USB connection & LED light.
  3. Place the LED into #13 on the pin board.
  4. Open Aurdino IDE & paste the code blink below into the workspace.
  5. Send code to the Arduino
  6. Can you make the light blink faster/slower?
  7. Can you make it blink SOS?

Code Blink:

void setup() {

pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT); }

void loop() {

digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);

delay(1000);

digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);

delay(1000); }

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