4-H News in Washington County – March 2018
Volume 13, Issue 3
Dates to Remember
April 6: Teen Science Café, Maine Warden Service, Search and Rescue
April 7: State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, Orono
Week of April 16: Vacation Week SPIN Club at Porter Memorial Library, Gardening Focus
April 28: National 4-H Day of Service
May 18-19: 4-H@UMaine
June 8-10: June Jamboree at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds, Save the Date
June 30-July 7: CWF
July 20-22: Maine 4-H Days at the Windsor Fair
First Responder-Teen Science Cafe First on the Scene: Responding to a Traffic Accidents Using 21st Century Technology
About 25 students met after school in the conference room at Narraguagus Jr./Sr. High School for March’s First Responder Teen Science Cafe. Presenter, Tim Mace from the Washington County Sheriff’s office shared pizza and snacks with the students. The students asked tons of questions about what it was like working for the Sheriff’s Department as a career. Everyone went outside for a hands-on demonstration on how to re-create a traffic accident scene using 21st century technology. Tim highlighted some of the math skills that he learned when he was a student at the school. These cafes really demonstrate that STEM is everywhere!
Come Check Out the Next Cafe on April 6 at Narraguagus Jr./Sr. High School, 2:30-4:30 p.m.!
Warden, Alan Curtis will be presenting: First Responders, Search and Rescue, Dogs Go High Tech and Night Vision Technology. The Cafes are open to all, ages 14 and up!
North Woods 4-H Club Update
Members of the North Woods 4-H Club recently decorated t-shirts with handprints in the shape of the clover at a club meeting.
Vacation Week SPIN Club
4-H in partnership with Porter Memorial Library hosted three daily vacation week morning activities during February vacation for ages 6-12. There was an instrument-making workshop, where youth used household items to crate percussion instruments. The second workshop explored the making of sock monster puppets again using materials found in the home such as old socks yarn and buttons. The last workshop focused on making “Molas” puppets, exploring Central American art forms. April vacation week the library will offer three more workshops with a gardening theme.
4-H@UMaine Teen Leader
The deadline to submit your Teen Leader Application for 4-H@UMaine is March 29! After that date, we will inform applicants whether or not they have been selected for this year. To be eligible, you must have attended 4-H@UMaine at least once before, and you must be either 14 years old or in 9th grade as of March 1st, 2018. Lastly, you must be an enrolled 4-H member.
Contact Tara Wood at tara.a.wood@maine.edu or by telephone at 255.3345 to request an application. Applications need to be submitted to 4HatUMaine@maine.edu. If you have any questions, please contact your county office or Maisy Cyr at maisy.cyr@maine.edu.
High School Solar Car Sprint Challenge
The first high school solar car challenge will be happening this spring in Washington County- date and location to be announced. This groundbreaking Competition is sponsored by STEM Guides Downeast Maine. High school students will create a small solar-powered vehicle. The goal is to create the fastest, most interesting, or best-crafted vehicle. Entries will be judged on: speed, technical merit, innovation in design, craftsmanship and best use of recycled materials.
Please contact Tara Wood at 207.255.3345 or tara.a.wood@maine.edu if you would like more information about the event. We still have a few kits available if interested.
True Leaders in Service
4-H’ers are passionate about service. Research shows that youth who participate in 4-H programs are significantly more likely to make a positive contribution to their communities. In April, 4-H’ers across the nation will participate as True Leaders in Service in multiple community service projects, culminating in a National 4-H Day of Service on Saturday, April 28, 2018. We encourage you to plan your own community service project and register on the True Leaders in Service page on the 4-H website.
Cooking with the Kids
Leprechaun’s Shake
Ingredients:
1 cup skim milk
2 scoops vanilla nonfat frozen yogurt
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
2-3 drops green food coloring
Directions: Pour all ingredients into a blender and whirl until smooth and green. Serve with a shamrock. Serves 1.
Taken from Healthy Treats and Super Snacks for Kids
4-H News from the State
Save the Date for 2018 Maine 4-H Days
Maine 4-H Days will take place July 20-22 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.
Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee
July will be here before you know it, and we are looking for a few good volunteers to join the fantastic current Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee. Joining this committee gives you the chance to help come up with ideas and plans for one of our biggest statewide events! If you are interested in joining the Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee or have general questions, comments or recommendations about the event, please email jessica.brainerd@maine.edu, or call 207.581.3877.
Come to Orono for the 2018 4H@UMaine May 18-19!
Planning has started and the wheels are in motion thanks to the efforts of a tremendous team! We are looking forward to another great event this year, and there are some exciting changes in the works! Stay tuned for details. For more information about 4-H@UMaine, contact Greg Kranich at gregory.kranich@maine.edu or 207.581.3292.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capital during the week of June 30 to July 7, 2018. CWF is a leadership program conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 14 to 18. Delegations of 4-Hers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building workshops. This summer, the Maine delegation will travel down on June 30 and travel home July 7, 2018. You will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside Washington, DC. Visiting the most popular sites in Washington, DC will be a part of the trip, including spending the 4th of July in our nation’s capital. There is a mandatory orientation for Maine delegates on April 28th, 2018. For more information visit the Citizenship Washington Focus page. Contact your county 4-H office for details about how to be a part of this experience if you don’t hear from them very shortly. All county offices have different criteria/dates to apply, so please contact them A.S.A.P.
National 4-H Trip Applications Are Due March 9th, 2018 (Conference and Congress)
National 4-H Trips are excellent opportunities to meet 4-H members from across the nation. Participants learn about many career options, and learn through educational workshops at Congress or become a part of a team making recommendations to National 4-H Council at Conference. To learn more about these trips, visit the National 4-H Trips page. Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18, is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members both at the time of application and the time of the actual trip. Application packets must be sent to your county office and postmarked by March 9, 2018. Interview dates are April 21 or 22, 2018. If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Palmer at 207.310.4235 or heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
- 2018 National 4-H Congress is November 23-27, 2018 in Atlanta GA with an orientation for the trip on October 27th, 2018. 2019
- National 4-H Conference is April 6-11, 2019 in Washington, DC., with an orientation for that on February 9, 2019.
Leaders and office staff, if you have senior members in your clubs, please encourage them to participate. They are amazing trips!
4-H Healthy Relationships Teen Council Meeting on March 19
In February, Maine 4-H sent seven teens to the Healthy Living Summit in Washington D.C. As part of the trip the group created an action plan to bring back to Maine to implement. They chose to focus on helping other youth establish healthy relationships in all aspects of their lives including families, significant others, and friends, in part by helping them to understand their own self-worth. Their goal is to empower kids to connect and create an environment full of healthy relationships. The team will be meeting virtually via Zoom on Monday, March 19th 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. and welcome any other youth, ages 14-18 who would like to participate in this action plan. For more information about the action plan, you can visit the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Cumberland County Facebook page for a live video. If you are interested in participating please email Sara Conant, sara.conant@maine.edu or call the Cumberland County Extension office at 207.781.6099.
2018 American Goat Federation Youth Scholarship Program
To encourage education and development of youth involved in the goat industry, AGF will accept scholarship applications from qualifying youth who enter and complete all requirements of the program. Projects must be received at the AGF office by August 20, 2018, and the Scholarship Application accompanied by a short biography must be received at the office No Later Than 30 days prior to August 20, 2018. Entries will be judged by an independent panel and winners will be announced September 2018. Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 20, and under the age of 21 as of September 30, 2017. Applicants must be a member of the American Goat Federation, the child, grandchild, great-grandchild or stepchild, step grandchild or step great grandchild of a member of the American Goat Federation, or of any of the following member organizations of the American Goat Federation.
- The American Boer Goat Association (including Jr. Association)
- The American Dairy Goat Association
- Alabama Meat Goat and Sheep Producers Association
- Cashmere Goat Association
- Texas Sheep and Goat Breeders Association
For more information visit the American Goat Federation website.
4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Wildlife Education Training Event, April 19-20
Please hold the date! Maine will host the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program this July at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia. In preparation, Maine 4-H will have a training event to prepare and select a team to compete in the national event. On April 19 and 20, the Maine 4-H program will host an overnight educational training program and team selection. Plans include an ongoing WHEP event and participation in the national program each year. More information will follow. The cost will be $25 per member all meals and materials included. The training will be held at the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Training is open to all youth ages 8-19. Studying a science-based manual, participants:
- Learn wildlife terms and concepts
- Learn about wildlife habitat
- Learn how to judge the quality of wildlife habitat
- Learn about wildlife habitat management practices
- Learn about wildlife damage management
To learn more, go to the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) page or on the Maine Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Facebook page or contact Sally Farrell, sarah.s.farrell@maine.edu or 207.324.2814.
Registration Now Open for 2018 Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge
UMaine-led STEM Competition for Maine Middle School and High School Youth Focused on Renewable Energy, Innovation, and Economic Development Slated for May 18, 2018. The Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge, hosted by the University of Maine, asks teams of students to design and construct a floating platform for a scale model wind turbine and then delivers a presentation to a panel of expert judges. The event is designed for student teams with a diverse range of experience. We encourage all middle and high school students to participate. UMaine staff work with teachers or advisors throughout the design and build process. Teams are presented with a guidebook and a simulated test turbine to test their platform prior to competition day. Participation is free, and a limited number of travel stipends are available to schools with demonstrated need. We recently published this two-minute video highlighting the design, build, and test process with youth from King Middle School in Portland.
High School Teams are teams of 4 or less high school students. Members of the top qualifying team will be offered an internship at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center, contingent upon their enrollment at UMaine, valued at more than $20,000. Middle School Teams are teams of up to 10 middle school students. These groups will test their platform and provide a presentation, just like high school teams, but they will not be considered for the internship award. An alternative award will be granted to the members of a winning middle school team. For more information, contact Marcy Smith at marcys@maine.edu, or 207.581.2125
10. 4-H Science Saturday Registration Open – Science of Cheesemaking!
Have you ever wondered just how cheese is made? Join us to find out! Food Science Specialist, Dr. Robson Machado, will show us how to make two different kinds of cheese. While we will not be able to taste-test the ones we create, we will be testing a few different types of cheese and other dairy products as well as discussing the importance of sensory testing food products. You don’t want to miss this!
- Date: March 17, 2018
- Location: Hitchner Hall, Commercial Kitchen, University of Maine, Orono, ME
- Time: 10:00 a.m.-1: 00 p.m.
- Cost: $10.00 (includes the price of lunch.)
This program is open to youth grades 6-8. Registration is required and space is limited. Registration deadline is March 9, 2018. No late registrations will be accepted.
To register, find more information or learn about upcoming Science Saturday offerings, please visit the UMaine 4-H Science Saturdays website. For more information, or to request a disability accommodation, contact Jessica Brainerd at 800.287.0274, or jessica.brainerd@maine.edu to discuss needs.
Maine 4-H Project Records, Reflection Tools, and Digital Badges!
Maine 4-H is excited to roll out new 4-H project records, reflection tools and opportunities for digital badges. A team has been working to design the new records aligned with research and connections to Maine’s commitment to proficiency-based education in mind. We know that these won’t be perfect and are anxious to have YOU help us try them out and be part of the process. The new records are now posted online and can be found on the State 4-H website.
We are also planning a few ways for you to be part of the team to ask questions and give feedback.
- Join our Google classroom community. This will be a place where volunteers and youth members are able to share real-time feedback about these tools.
- To join: Sign in at Classroom
- On the homepage, click Add – Join class
- Enter the code d9jmty and click Join.
- Participate in our live feedback sessions. Please save the date for feedback sessions. These will be conducted using Zoom. Register for these sessions with KymNoelle Hopson at 207.353.5550 or kymnoelle.hopson@maine.edu
- March 24, 2018 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
- September 11, 2018 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
We are looking forward to having YOU as part of our team. If you have any questions please contact Kristy Ouellette, kristy.ouellette@maine.edu or 207.353.5550, extension 12.
Show + Tell = Public Speaking (Do It!)
What is your Spark? What do you like to do? Others want to know! Show or Tell it this year by Public Speaking!
- Plan a short talk about something you like to do, or about something you find interesting. Ask a friend to take a video of it or practice in front of a mirror to get more comfortable. Make a poster with steps to show how to do something 1-2-3. Or tell about something interesting with a poster or PowerPoint to show or illustrate it.
- Show or Tell your club or after school program or family this Demonstration or Illustrated Talk. It is fun and good practice!
- Sign up and perform it at your County Public Speaking Tournament or in front of your CEA or County Educator if your county does not have a tournament (before March 17).
- If you are older than a Cloverbud AND get a score of 78 or higher, ask your County Staff person to help you sign up to come to UMaine Orono for April 7, 2018, Maine 4-H State Public Speaking Tournament (before March 31).
- If you place among the top scorers at State, are 12+, have participated at County level for 2 years and State level for 1 year, make sure you re-enrolled by January 1 or are a newly enrolled member. Ten members can participate as the Maine 4-H State Communication Science Team at Eastern States Exposition in Massachusetts in September!
- Learn more; watch videos; see how the judges score, get inspired to Show and Tell (Do a Demonstration or Illustrated Talk); and browse all four pages, visit the Maine 4-H Public Speaking page.
- Why? Did you know that the average person spends up to 50% of their waking time either speaking or listening? 4-H alumni who participated in 4-H Public Speaking when they were younger, come back to tell us that this was their most important 4-H life skill that they learned.
- 2018 is your year to participate!