Exploring Science On Campus - Summer 2010

Pausing for a photo at the farm while visiting a fistulated dairy cow as part of a biotechnology session.

For the second year in a row, the 4-H Summer Science Program for urban youths was held at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers. From July 12 to 16, fifty high school students from Camden, Englewood, Newark, Paterson, and Trenton participated in several hands-on activities as they explored biochemistry, biotechnology, marine and environmental sciences, and engineering alongside a number of Rutgers faculty from these disciplines.
"The students spent a week with Rutgers scientists--touring their labs, learning about their research, and how their scientific inquiry is relevant to our daily lives," said Chad Ripberger, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H agent, Mercer County. "The students also had the opportunity to live on campus for a week and get a taste of university life. That was an important experience for them, as they think about their futures and where they want to be in a few years," he added.

Sammy Fonseca, who attends Trenton Central High School, was a part of this year's program. "This was my first overnight visit to a college campus, and it was pretty amazing," said Fonseca. "I didn't realize science involved so much and that there were so many opportunities to explore.  It has always been one of my favorite subjects, but after this week, I am much more confident.  I enjoyed the biotechnology sessions the most, but I also enjoyed marine science and the activities we did at Sandy Hook."

Identifying a variety of marine life as part of a seining activity at Sandy Hook.

The annual Rutgers 4-H Summer Science Program began in 2009, with 45 students drawn from similar urban communities around New Jersey, with the objective of encouraging youth to participate in science and research in a series of interactive activities, and gain a better understanding of opportunities available in science, engineering, and technology.

"Part of the growing 4-H youth development mandate is to prepare and empower our youth to get involved in a career in science..." said Ripberger. "Several years ago, a series of national reports sounded alarm bells among youth development specialists about the need to engage our youth in science and technology, across all backgrounds, but especially in our urban communities."  While the overall objective of 4-H has always been the development of youth as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens, the 21st century model of 4-H has expanded to serve a variety of communities, including specific programming for urban youths.

The 2006 National Academies report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, highlighted the shortage of highly qualified educators and mentors who can translate and teach science, engineering, technology, and math content and skills. A 2007 report from the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges identified science, engineering, technology, and math for youth as a growth area. National 4-H later unveiled SET as a critical part of its mandate, and according to Ripberger, "Rutgers Cooperative Extension has since been playing an ever-increasing and vital role in creating interest and competency in these areas."

Preparing materials for a poster session on Friday morning prior to the closing luncheon.

Participants in the summer program have completed their freshman year in high school and were selected based on teacher recommendations and participation in an extensive application process that included writing an essay and interviews by their local 4-H staff. As a condition for participating in the program, each of the selected youth has to provide a minimum of 50 hours of service to their local 4-H program. This commitment includes working with 4-H staff in their community to provide science-focused after-school and summer programming to younger youth and children.

The 4-H Summer Science Program this year was funded by a gift from Tyco International, the first corporate donor to the program, and a Community Enhancement Award, which is a Rutgers Cooperative Extension grant.

Key collaborators in the annual urban summer science program are drawn from county 4-H youth development and 4-H SET staff who have orked to expand the university's outreach in the urban communities of the state and create interest and competency in the areas of science, engineering and technology.

Original of this article is here: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/spotlight/4h-summer-science-2010.asp

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