STEM Challenge
Power Up the Power Protectors!
NYS 4-H is looking for teams made up of youth and adults to lead Power Protectors activities across New York State. You can help power up youth superheroes in your community!
Your Mission
Work as a team to lead a Power Protectors program for a minimum of one group in your community. This could be for youth who are already be part of a club, afterschool program, or other 4-H group that you bring this activity to. Or this may be a new group of youth brought together just for this 4-H experience.
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Timeline​
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November 2023: kit distribution
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December 2023 through January 2024: facilitation training and lead your local program
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End of January 2024: program showcase and celebrations
Your Leadership Team
Open to Educators, Volunteers, Youth-Adult Teams
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Power Protectors could be led by CCE Educators, volunteers, or teams made up of youth and adults. Youth-adult teams could be a youth leader and a volunteer, a parent and child, a teacher and student, etc.
Superhero Supports
This opportunity is open to any youth adult team in NYS that is interested. No prior knowledge required and this could be your first 4-H experience. The NYS 4-H STEM Challenge Team will provide mentorship as you grow your leadership skills in new ways. The Challenge Team will lead virtual training and be available for ongoing support in to help with how to lead kit activities, planning for local implementation, adapting for different settings, connecting Power Protectors to Cornell, and give you tools for the report back.
Power Protectors leadership teams will receive a free Power Protectors kit. The kit is designed for youth ages 8-14 years. Each kit contains enough supplies for 6 youth and most supplies are reusable. Kit can be adapted for different ages and also to work with larger groups.
Please work together in your team to complete one application per team. You might find it helpful to have everyone together to fill out the form. You can also download the application questions here to prepare.
Virtual Activities
Join us in the NYS 4-H STEM Challenge as we work together to power up the Power Protectors!
Flipping the Switch
It’s on! Learn about each of the activities in the Power Protectors kit including tips and tricks for how you can lead these with youth from your community. Explore connections to Cornell and community projects.
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Your Power Grid
(CANCELLED)
Star Power
Register Here
January 26 from 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Hosted by Cornell Spacecraft Planetary Imaging Facility
(open to all who are interested)
Power Protectors explores ways we can generate electricity here on Earth, but what about on other worlds? As spacecraft, and someday humans, venture into space to explore the Solar System, we’ll have to find ways to generate power that work in these alien environments. Join us to learn about these strange new worlds and come up with your own solutions to power the future of space exploration!
About the 2023 STEM Challenge
Through decades of neglect and waste, Energy Island is in danger of becoming unplugged forever. Now it’s in the hands of the next generation - The Power Protectors - to bring back a sustainable balance by completing three engaging activities—using cooperation, determination and the POWER of reusable energy.
Power Protectors teaches kids how to address real-world issues and explore careers in energy. Power Protectors focuses on renewable energy, providing youth the fundamental knowledge of sustainable power sources, the energy people use on a daily basis, and the importance of using energy wisely.
National 4-H Resources
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The National 4-H STEM Challenge page includes:
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Where to purchase a kit and related supplies
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Facilitator Guide free download
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Posters and promotional graphics
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National webinars and how-to videos
About the NYS 4-H Family STEM Challenge Planning Team
The NYS 4-H Family STEM Challenge Planning Team develops additional opportunities to extend your 4-H STEM Challenge experience, highlighting resources available in NYS and from Cornell University and providing community building activities for us to learn together. The team includes campus partners, county 4-H professionals, and youth leaders.
Contact us for more information and how to join.
Past Challenges
