ST. CHARLES – Put those building bricks, recyclables and other items lying around the house to good use, get techy on your computer or tablet, or explore your backyard or neighborhood with DuPage, Kane and Kendall County 4-H’s free Stay-at-Home STEM Challenges.

“These weekly challenges encourage youth to use science, technology, engineering or math to explore the world around them,” says Amy Henschen, 4-H Youth Development Educator. “We provide the guidance and resources, and kids provide the imagination! By participating, youth will gain important skills like planning, problem-solving, observation, and record-keeping, all while having fun.”

Challenges can be found at go.illinois.edu/stem4Hdkk. Current topics include: bird identification, computer coding, paper roller coasters, junk drawer mechanics, plant observation, Rube Goldberg machines, and bridge building. New challenges will be posted mid-week, throughout the month of May. Upcoming topics include 3-D printing design, food science and stop motion animation.

“The challenges are designed to do at your family’s own pace this spring or summer, and they can be mixed and matched,” Henschen says. “They are a great opportunity for youth to explore their interests or discover something new.”

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the DuPage, Kane and Kendall County 4-H STEM team at uie-dkk4hstem@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs. To learn more or check out each challenge, visit http://go.illinois.edu/stem4Hdkk.

Source: Amy Henschen, 4-H Youth Development Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Media Contact: Rosie Ralston, Publicity and Promotions Associate, University of Illinois Extension