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| William Augustine works with youth at Church Point Middle School |
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| East Beauregard Elementary School youth enjoy the 4-H Science Day experience |
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| Youth at Merryville Elementary School |
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| Krystle J. Washington works with youth at Singer Elementary School |
Baton
Rouge, La. - The Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives (SCRI) sponsored 4-H
National Youth Science Day (NYSD) events for over 600 students during the last
week. Youth in St. Landry, Beauregard,
and Acadia Parishes joined hundreds of thousands of youth across the world in
the eighth annual 4-H National Youth Science Day Experiment, which combined
cars, calculators and cell phones to show how physics principles influence a
pressing problem among U.S. teens. This year’s experiment was titled ‘Motion
Commotion.’
Students
from Singer Elementary, East Beauregard Elementary, and Merryville High School in
Beauregard Parish, and Church Point Middle School in Acadia Parish, participated
in the events. Students conducted the two-part ‘Motion Commotion’ experiment
using every day materials – including a toy car, modeling clay, ruler,
calculator and a cell phone – to explore physics in the real-world.
In
the first phase of the experiment, youth constructed a simulated runway to
analyze the speed, momentum and kinetic energy of a car in motion, and explored
the science behind the car’s collisions. In the second phase, they led an
experiment that uses the same physics principles to demonstrate the
consequences of distracted driving.
“4-H has aimed to teach students science for
over a century, it is important that students in the 10- parish rural areas
that the SCRI covers have the same access to STEM activities. When going into
these communities, we [Goldie Jordan and William Augustine] are looking at
future scientist, engineers, physicist, etc. and it’s amazing to see the
excitement on their faces as we expose them to the world of science in a fun
and interactive way.” said Krystle J. Washington, Science Day Event Organizer
at the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives.
In
addition to the experiment, Washington also adds a public speaking portion at
the summation of the project. A student has to use scientific terms to adequately
explain what took place throughout the experiment to their peers.
4-H
NYSD is the world’s largest, youth-led science experiment. The national day is
dedicated to engaging kids with science through a hands-on, interactive
learning experience that gets youth excited about science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM). The event also spotlights the many ways
youth in East Baton Rouge Parish are engaging in 4-H Science programs
year-round.
SCRI
is a satellite campus of the Southern University Ag Center located in Opelousas.
During the upcoming weeks, we look forward to bringing the 4-H National Youth
Science Day experience to the remainder of our ten-parish region.
Krystle
J. Washington, Extension Educator/ Community Development Southwest Center for
Rural Initiatives Southern University Ag Center can be reached at (337)
943-2410.
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