Mentors Needed for After School 4-H Tech Wizards Programs

December 21, 2016 - 11:23am -- rowe.316@osu.edu

Great news! The OSU Extension Adams County 4-H Tech Wizards program is expanding to reach youth at all four county elementary schools in 2017! However, to do so successfully will require committed adult volunteer mentors at each school. The 4-H Tech Wizards program is a grant-funded after school mentoring program designed to engage youth in STEM focused learning (science, technology, engineering, and math).

The after school programs will take place as follows:
 

  • Manchester Elementary- Wednesdays from 3:00-4:15 p.m.
  • North Adams Elementary - Tuesdays from 2:40-4:15 p.m.
  • Peebles Elementary - Thursdays from 2:40-4:15 p.m.,
  • West Union Elementary - Mondays from 2:40-4:15 p.m.

4-H Tech Wizards involves 5th and 6th graders in science by inspiring their curiosity and challenging them to learn how and why. The program’s goal is to help youth aspire to post-secondary education, productive jobs and careers, and community engagement. The mentors meet weekly with small groups of youth in an after school setting. Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes a snack and social time, as well as hands-on work with STEM focused learning activities, including robotics, alternate energies, engineering design and National Youth Science Day experiments, and more.

Youth and their mentors also participate in field trips to area science focused attractions such as the Cincinnati Museum, Newport Aquarium, COSI, and more. They have opportunities to participate in the annual 4-H STEM Camp at Canter’s Cave, engage in service projects, and enjoy a variety of summer programming opportunities. Mentors assist the youth with their STEM focused activities each week and serve as positive role models.

The regular after school 4-H Tech Wizards sessions will begin the week of February 5. Before starting, mentors must apply and complete screening, which includes a background check. Anyone interested in mentoring youth at one or more of the schools in 2017 should contact Carolyn Belczyk, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, at OSU Extension Adams County, via email at belczyk.1@osu.edu or at the office by calling 937.544.2339 by January 6 in order to complete the screening and training in a timely manner.