The 4-H Rosenwald team was awarded a great opportunity to implement this years STEM Challenge sponsored by Bayer. This opportunity allowed us to receive 20 plus kits to do hands on activities with youth. Our team was also able to train staff on how to utlize the kits and then from there they were able to use the kits with youth. During fall break we conducted a 3-day program for Frankfort Independent and Franklin County Schools. The students ranged from 8-16 years of age. The students coming in stated that STEM was a topic of interest, out of both groups over 50% of them stated this. The students had so much fun doing the activity and found that the challenge was very interesting. 

Our goal out of the twenty kits is to be able to reach more than 480 students. With the groups coming in we have almost hit our target. This challenge has really reinforced critical thinking skills allowing the youth to come up with some very unique responses. Out of the activities presented the youth enjoyed constructing the ocean bots. They were engaged in a competition to see who could determine the precise weight for their ocean bots to successfully glide through the water. Youth had to hypothesize, think, and share their results. This successful program has led us to implement these kits with new groups that come to the center.