PROGRAM AREAS

STEM PATHWAYS

stem


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.
The basic skills of computer scientists and the way they think are computational thinking. However, any subject area or topic can utilize computational thinking, which is essential to the development of computer applications. It can also be used to support problem solving accross all disciplines, including the humanities, math, and sciences.
  • 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.
  1. Identify a Problem: What is the problem or need you are trying to solve with your design? How did you identify this need?
  2. 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.)?
  3. Brainstorm possible solutions: Think through all of the possibilities!
  4. Select the most promising solution.
Content coming soon

STEM Projects

Check back soon for more information on these project areas!

Camps, Contests, and Events

Digital Arts Competition


January 31 – April 7, 2025
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
Artificial Intelligence Art (email Pam VanWagoner for details)

TRY Team Training


March 28-29, 2025

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 30—July 2, 2025

Intermediate 4-H (i4-H) Camp is a summer camp for kids in 7th and 8th grade! i4-H campers participate in team building workshops taught by teen leaders, complete STEM challenges, make new friends, and have a remarkable summer adventure.

More details can be found on the i4-H page. 

Hackathon


April, 2021
A Team based Hackathon Challenge

May the 4th


May 2025
May the 4th be with you as you celebrate Family STEM Day!

Drones


Agrobotics/Drone Expo: April 11, 2025 in Kearns, UT. Registration opens January 31st  on Zsuite (4h.zsuite.org) 

Drone Challenge: April 12, 2025 in Kearns, Utah; registration opens January 31st  on Zsuite (4h.zsuite.org)

Drone Workshop: A workshop and story-based drone competition. Contact 4-H in your county and ask about upcoming Drone Workshops!

Game Design Challenge


March 1 – August 31, 2025
The Game Design Challenge is fun way to create and build your very own board game!
  • Iteration 1: due April 15, 2025
  • Iteration 2: due May 19, 2025
  • Iteration 3: due June 16, 2025
  • Iteration 4: due July 14, 2025

Game Design Challenge Rules

Pixelations



A creative Pixelation Challenge. Create any artwork designed with pixelations of color. 

Deadline: April 10, 2025

Pixelation Contest Rules and Guidelines

Invention Convention / Tech Innovators Challenge


This event is the Utah Qualifier for Invention Convention Worldwide Nationals. Participating youth will present their inventions either virtually the last week of April or in-person on May 3rd in Salt Lake County. Youth may register to present virtually or in-person. All youth ages 5-18 are eligible to participate. Projects from teams of up to three inventors are also accepted. Each inventor should submit a registration with the same project abstract.

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. We will be holding an in-person event in South Jordan, UT, 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.
 
 
To participate, register here.

You will be emailed more information about presentation time and requirements.

Click to view 2025 Utah Invention Convention Rubric

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Have questions? Contact: Deb Ivie | deborah.ivie@usu.edu | (801) 300-5680
 

Service in STEM



We love to see how you're using STEM to serve in your community!

Email Deb (deborah.ivie@usu.edu) with any questions and for additional details. Projects are due June 1, 2025; Registrations open in zSuite February 15, 2025.

National 4H True Leaders in Equity



Utah 4-H is sponsoring four contests designed to help us think about equity and inclusivenes

Rules & Guidelines:


All entries can be emailed to utah4hSTEM@usu.edu


STEM Resources

Check out kits here
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Utah's first STEM Spot opens in Parowan, UT! 
Read about it here
Content will be added soon
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K-12 Resources

Stands for "informal science education enhancement"
Content coming soon
Afterschool Clubs

Partnerships

Utah Afterschool Network

Million Girls Moonshot

Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI)

Utah STEM Action Center

Utah STEM Spots

Invention Convention - Worldwide



For more information pertaining to Utah 4-H STEM Programming and Events, contact deborah.ivie@usu.edu.