Category: SPIN Clubs

4-H SPecial INterest Clubs

May 10, 2013

Illinois 4-H Robotics Forum

An Active Board forum similar to the 4-H Shooting sports forum has been set up for 4-H robotics leaders and teens in robotics clubs.

http://illinois-4-h-robotics.activeboard.com/

The forums should be a good way for leaders to provide technical support to leaders of other clubs, especially leaders who are new to robotics. The forums are also a way to coordinate activities between clubs and to facilitate trainings and events for various clubs and regions.

Five different sub forums have been set up: General 4-H robotics, FTC/FRC, FLL, LEGO Mindstorms NXT and EV3, and Other robotic platforms; members can read and post on any forum. The registration process requires e-mail confirmation but will not require approval.

Posted by Robert Smith at 3:16 PM | Permalink |
Categories: SET, SPIN Clubs

February 5, 2013

Grant Opportunity for High School Science SPIN Clubs & Programs

InvenTeams - Introducing Students to the World of Invention

The InvenTeam initiative, created by the Lemelson-MIT Program, offers an unparalleled opportunity for high school age youth to cultivate their creativity and experience invention. InvenTeams are teams of high school youth/students, teachers, and mentors that receive grants up to $10,000 each to invent technological solutions to real-world problems. Each InvenTeam chooses its own problem to solve.

In 2012 the Essex and Clinton County's NY Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) group received an InvenTeam grant for their invention idea to develop small pre-filters to improve the operation of bio-sand filters to provide clean water to households in developing countries (learn more here). They are the first 4-H club to receive an InvenTeam grant.

You can visit the InvenTeams web site (http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/) to learn more about the InvenTeams program and how to apply. 4-H and Lemelson-MIT are working on resources to support and promote youth invention. We hope to see more 4-H clubs participate in InvenTeams. Applications must be completed online. The deadline date is April 5, 2013.

Posted by Lisa Bouillion Diaz at 4:39 PM | Permalink |
Categories: Contests, Funding, Science-Excited, SET, SPIN Clubs

October 15, 2012

5th Annual 4-H Statewide Robotics Competition - Save the Date!

The date for our 5th annual event has been confirmed for April 20, 2013

Details on the robotics challenge for this event will be released Feb. 1, 2013 and posted to the State 4-H Events page.
  • Free to all 4-H members.
  • Jr (9-14) and Sr (14-18) teams invited.
The event will be preceded by a "Robots in Action" demonstration fair that is open to the public.
For updates and more information:
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/events/4hroboticschallenge2013.cfm

Posted by Lisa Bouillion Diaz at 3:05 PM | Permalink |
Categories: Contests, SET, SPIN Clubs

September 28, 2012

Resource Related to Topic "Youth and Technology"

Mobile Devices for Learning: What You Need to Know (by EduTopia and Google Apps)

This guide reviews how the use of iPads, smartphones, e-book readers, and a variety of cool apps are enhancing the classroom environment and engaging students like never before.

Maybe this will spark some ideas for how to integrate mobile devices in our 4-H programming?

Download the free guide at:

http://www.edutopia.org/mobile-devices-learning-resource-guide

Posted by Lisa Bouillion Diaz at 12:04 PM | Permalink |
Categories: Clubs, SET, SPIN Clubs, Teens

August 29, 2012

4-H Science Resources

Here are some links of resources that might be helpful in your 4-H Science Programming

Generation STEM Report www.girlscounts.org/research

Graphical representation of above report on "What Girls Say about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math http://www.transportationyou.org/wp-content/uploads/InfoGraphic-STEM-report.pdf

NIU STEMFest 2012, Saturday, October 20 from 10am to 5pm (free event with many hands-on activities, challenges and demostrations) http://stemfest.niu.edu/stemfest/

6th Annual Conference for Promoting STEM: Recruiting and Retaining Underrepresented Students in STEM, October 26, 8:30am – 5:00pm, Oakton Community College, www.oakton.edu/cp-stem

Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (2010), AAUW Report http://www.aauw.org/learn/research/whysofew.cfm

Illinois Girls Collaborative Project (mini-grants for engaging girls in STEM) Due: October 31,2012 http://www.ngcproject.org/mini-grants

Design Squad Nation (videos, downloadable inquiry activities, career exploration tools, animations, challenges and more) A great resource for 4-H science camps, science excited activities, SPIN clubs and more. http://pbskids.org/designsquad/ (be sure to click the "parents and educators" button for more resources)

Posted by Lisa Bouillion Diaz at 3:43 PM | Permalink |
Categories: Science-Excited, SET, SPIN Clubs

March 7, 2012

4-H 101 Webinar Registration Updated

Register for upcoming 4-H 101 webinars via the updated registration site.These training opportunites are appropriate for 4-H staff, office support staff and county directors since each staff role has a unique part in supporting the Illinois 4-H program.

Once completed, 4-H 101 Webinarrecordings, powerpoints with notepages, and related documentswill be archived on the Portal; 4-H Contacts; Staff Development; Webinars.

Registration is open for these upcoming webinars:

Monday, March 12, 2012 - 1:30 PM - Think Green
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 - 1:30 PM - 4-H Fiscal Issues
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 - 10:30 AM - 4-H Shooting Sports
Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 10:00 AM - SPIN Clubs
Tuesday, April 3, 2012 - 1:30 PM - State Fair Online
Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 1:30 PM - Recognition, Part II
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - 1:30 PM - PYD BIG-M, Part I
Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 1:30 PM - PYD BIG-M, Part II
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 - 1:30 PM - State Fair Update


Click here for more information or to register: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=6575
NOTE: A confirmation for each 4-H 101 Webinar will be sent to your email account when you register. Save all email confirmations so you do not duplicate your registration.

Be aware that webinar times and days of the week vary and note those dates and times on your calendar.You are encouraged to register at least five days prior to each webinar as topic-specific information may be shared with participants prior to some sessions.

Posted by Patricia C. McGlaughlin at 8:08 PM | Permalink |
Categories: Awards, Scholarships & Recognition, Clubs, E&R, Fiscal/Tax, Local Fairs & APF, Policies/UMH, PYD, Risk Mgmt., Shooting Sports, SPIN Clubs, Staff Development, State Fair, Thinking Green, Volunteers

February 13, 2012

Sign Up Now for 4-H 101 Webinars -- Updated!

Register for any or all of the upcoming 4-H 101 webinars.

This is a training opportunity for 4-H staff, office support staff and county directors, since each staff role has a unique part in supporting the Illinois 4-H programs.

The following 4-H 101 Webinars have already been completed and the powerpoints with notepages and related documents are available on the Portal under Groups; 4-H Contacts; Staff Development; Webinars:

  • Thursday, September 15, 2011 - 10:00 a.m. - New 4-H Year
  • Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - 1:30 p.m. - Volunteer Screening
  • Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - 1:30 p.m. - Risk Management
  • Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - 4-H Policies
  • Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - Expansion & Review


    • Registration is open for these upcoming webinars:

    • Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - Starting New 4-H Clubs
    • Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 10:00 a.m. - SPIN Clubs
    • Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - 4-H Ag Premium Fund
    • Monday, March 12, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - Think Green Initiative - DATE CHANGED
    • Tuesday, March 6, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - Recognition - Part I
    • Tuesday, March 13, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - 4-H Fiscal Issues
    • Tuesday, April 3, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - State Fair Online
    • Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - Recognition - Part II
    • Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - PYD BIG-M, Part I - NEW ADDITION
    • Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - PYD BIG-M, Part II - NEW ADDITION
    • Wednesday, May 30, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - State Fair Update

    Click here for more information or to register.

    NOTE: A confirmation for each 4-H 101 Webinar is sent to your email account when you register. Please check for those email confirmations so you do not duplicate your registration.

    Note that webinar times and days of the week vary. Please register at least 5 days prior to each webinar, as topic-specific info may be shared with participants before the sessions.

    Posted by Patricia C. McGlaughlin at 8:30 AM | Permalink |
    Categories: Awards, Scholarships & Recognition, Clubs, E&R, Fiscal/Tax, Local Fairs & APF, Policies/UMH, PYD, Risk Mgmt., SPIN Clubs, Staff Development, State Fair, Thinking Green, Volunteers

    January 19, 2012

    New Robotics Facebook group

    Do you have 4-H'ers or clubs interested in robotics? Consider joining this new "IL 4-H Robotics" Facebook group and help spread the word.

    The new Facebook group aims to connect the growing community of youth, volunteers and partners from across the state of Illinois who are doing exciting things with robotics: 1) 4-H Special Interest (SPIN) Robotics Clubs, 2) 4-H clubs participating in FIRST events (FLL, FTC, FRC), 3) Annual State 4-H Robotics Competition at UIUC, and more! This is a group in which to ask questions and share successes. Also look for posts on grant opportunities and program resources to support your robotics club.

    Note that this is a Facebook Group, rather than a Facebook Page. As an open group, the posting are viewable by anyone, but only members can post. After you click on the link above ... be sure to click on the button that says "request invitation" so that you can participate in the conversations.

    Posted by Lisa Bouillion Diaz at 3:25 PM | Permalink |
    Categories: Contests, Science-Excited, SPIN Clubs