PROGRAM AREAS
STEM PATHWAYS
The Utah 4-H STEM program introduces youth to science, technology, engineering, and math in an engaging, hands-on learning environment.
Through related activities and curriculum, youth develop and further thinking processes, life skills, and interpersonal skills through opportunities to solve real world scientific and technological problems, computational thinking, the scientific method, and engineering design.
To find out more about STEM 4-H programs, visit the National 4-H website.
Computational thinking is a problem-solving process that includes a number of characteristics and dispositions and is the process that most computer scientists use to develop programs and systems. The dispositions are listed below:
- Confidence in dealing with complexity
- Persistence in working with difficult problems
- The ability to handle ambiguity
- The ability to deal with open-ended problems
- Setting aside differences to work with others to achieve a common goal or solutions
- Knowing one's strength and weaknesses when working with others.
- Decomposition: Breaking down data, processes or problems into smaller, manageable parts.
- Pattern Recognition: Observing patterns, trends, and regularities in data.
- Abstraction: Identifying the general principles that generate these patterns.
- Algorithm Design: Developing the step-by-step instructions for solving this and similar problems.
Engineering Design is a process followed to design technical solutions and prototypes. It is an iterative process, meaning a repetitive cycle of design, testing, and redesign until a solution is reached that meets the necessary needs.
- Identify a Problem: What is the problem or need you are trying to solve with your design? How did you identify this need?
- Research current products and constraints: What already exists to address the problem? What can you do to improve the current solution? What constraints do you have to work within (time, supplies, budget, etc.)?
- Brainstorm possible solutions: Think through all of the possibilities!
- Select the most promising solution.
Content coming soon
STEM Projects
Check back soon for more information on these project areas!
- Robotics and Drones
- Electronics
- Coding
- Maker
- Outdoor Design
- Physical and Natural Sciences
- Digital Arts
- Engineering Design
Camps, Contests, and Events
Digital Arts Competition
Jan. 01 – Mar. 15, 2023
A fun competition focusing on photography, videography, 2D, and 3D Digital Arts, as well as a 30 hour video shoot contest.
For more information, rules, and guidelines, select your interest below:
Photography
Videography
2D Design
3D Design
30 Hour Shoot
Graphic Design
Pixelation
TRY Team Training
March 17 - 18, 2023
TRY Team Training takes place March 17th-18th 2023 in Richfield, UT. This training is designed to teach a mentor and a group of youth grades 7-12 both the leadership skills and curriculum to lead camps and clubs in their county. There are various content areas of training available, including STEM.
Registration closes Monday March 6th.
This is a great way to receive training and supplies for camps in your community. There is not a cost for the training other than transportation, and you go home with a great curriculum and most of the supplies to run the STEM camp. Registration is on Z-Suites.
STEM/Agriscience (Robotics, Drones, CS, Unplugged),
Financial Literacy (SmartCents, Grants).
i4-H Camp
June, 2021
A Design Challenge based camp for 7th/8th Graders.
Hackathon
April, 2021
A Team based Hackathon Challenge
May the 4th
May, 2021
May the 4th be with you as you celebrate Family STEM Day!
Drone Workshop
May, 2021
A workshop and story-based drone competition.
Game Design Challenge
June – Sept., 2021
The Game Design Challenge is fun way to create and build your very own board game!
Game Design Challenge Rules
Pixelations
A creative Pixelation Challenge
Deadline: March 15, 2023
Pixelation Contest Rules and Guidelines
Invention Convention
Inventioneers of Today and Tomorrow (IT2) is an invention program open to youth grades K-12 living in Utah. The program, run by Utah 4-H, is an affiliate of the Worldwide Invention Convention hosted through the Henry Ford Museum. We invite students from throughout the state of Utah to participate in the Invention Convention. This year we will be holding an in-person event in South Jordan Utah, or there is the option to participate in an online interview from home. Participation is free. Top projects will be invited to participate in the Worldwide Invention Convention in Detroit.
Requirements to participate include using the design process to create an invention, designing a poster board or power point to showcase your invention, and participating in the interview process either in person or online. Inventions can be entered in the "prototype" stage, without a fully working model.
To participate, register here.
You will be emailed more information about presentation time and requirements.
Click to view Utah Invention Covention Rubric
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You will be emailed more information about presentation time and requirements.
Click to view Utah Invention Covention Rubric
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Have questions? Contact: Deb Ivie | deborah.ivie@usu.edu | (801) 300-5680
National 4H True Leaders in Equity
Utah 4-H is sponsoring four contests designed to help us think about equity and inclusivenes
Rules & Guidelines:
- STEM Equity Challenge - Quick Guide English • Spanish
- Performing Arts Equity English • Spanish
- Photography Equity English • Spanish
- Writing Equity English • Spanish
All entries can be emailed to utah4hSTEM@usu.edu
STEM Resources
K-12 Resources
Partnerships
Utah Afterschool Network
Million Girls Moonshot
Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI)
Utah STEM Action Center
Utah STEM Spots
Invention Convention - Worldwide