4-H Youth Learn and Lead on Alternative Fuels – October 7, 2009

As our nation grapples with important environmental issues such as global warming, sustainability and energy independence, “biofuels” —sources of energy obtained from recently harvested plant materials— are at the forefront of the discussion of alternative energy sources.  At 4-H, we encourage the youth of today to become our nation’s future leaders. And, as such, it’s vital for youth to understand and engage in the important environmental issues our global community faces together, and the opportunities available for a greener tomorrow.

For the second annual 4-H National Youth Science Day, the University of Wisconsin has designed “Biofuel Blast,” the 4-H National Science Experiment which will introduce young people all around the nation to biofuels.  Youth will become a scientist for the day, discovering how ordinary household products can create alternative energy, and how that fuel can power many of the things we use each day.

Share in the Debate about the Next Great Biofuel

On 4-H National Youth Science Day – October 7, 2009 –millions of young people all across the U.S. will actively participate in a live demonstration of how organic materials can be converted to fuel to supply energy. The experiment offers several activities to showcase how cellulose and sugars in plants can be used to create ethanol.  In one activity, for example, youth will combine corn syrup and yeast in a plastic container and cover the bottle’s mouth with a balloon.  They will watch as the yeast breaks down the natural sugars in the corn, which will release ethanol gas that will inflate the balloon.

In addition to testing corn syrup, youth will test and discuss other alternative fuel options, including switchgrass, sawdust, sorghum and even algae. These fuel alternatives – researched by the 106 Land-Grant Universities and Colleges across the nation that oversee 4-H youth development programs in every state – differ by region throughout the U.S., providing an opportunity for youth to learn about their home region as well as others.

The National Science Experiment will encourage a national youth debate to discuss the “best” biofuel based on experiment outcomes. Young people will be able to see how their small creations are part of a major current nationwide discussion. Youth will also be engaged before, during and after the experiment via several popular communication mechanisms, including cell phone text messages, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, and through the                4-H.org Web site.

One Million New Scientists. One Million New Ideas.^TM

For over 100 years, 4-H has been at the forefront of teaching youth about science, engineering and technology. 4-H National Youth Science Day is an important annual part of 4-H’s One Million New Scientists.  One Million New Ideas.^TM campaign, with a bold goal of attracting one million new youth to science, engineering and technology programs by the year 2013.

For more information about 4-H National Youth Science Day

or to download the experiment, visit www.4-H.org/NYSD.

During the opening commodities breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair, the previous year’s 4-H Country ham winner auctions off a delicious country ham. here is the 2008 4-H Country Ham winner, Meg Copass from Monroe County, pictured with the State 4-H Secretary, Courtney Crume of Nelson County (left) and State 4-H President, Anna Carman of Jessamine County (right). Also pictured are representatives from Kentucky Farm Bureau, Governor Beshear, Secretary of Agriculture Richie Farmer and others who purchased this year’s ham.

4-H has a long and distinguished history of providing Kentucky youth and families with the opportunity to bring the world to the doorstep! Through international exchange programs such as LABO and UTREK, Kentucky 4-H families can experience the Japanese culture by hosting someone in their homes. We are currently looking for these dedicated families who are willing to open their hearts and homes to one of our exchange program youth from Japan. The LABO program places Japanese youth who are between the ages of 12-15 while the UTREK Japanese youth are between the ages of 15-17. LABO Youth are picked up by their host families in Louisville on July 22, 2009 where they will begin their four week home stay. UTREK youth are picked up in the Lexington area on June 26, 2009 and are in the home a little over 3 weeks. Both groups and are returned to Louisville on August 18, 2009.

To qualify as a host family you need to have a youth who is within two years of age of the Japanese child hosted. You also need to complete a background check, application process and reference review. Many families chose to host multiple years after participating in this wonderful program. We are also looking for individuals, couples or families to host our adult chaperones. One parent shares the following about this wonderful program:

…My husband and I value diversity in education. While academics are fundamental, there is so much more to “educating” our young people. Establishing values and principles to live by is critical to the foundation of our society – we need people who have strength of character. One area of character development is doing our best to understand and accept people of different ages, gender, and cultural backgrounds. Our family has absolutely valued and appreciated the mutual benefits of participating in the international programs – of establishing new friendships and, even, new “family” members. We have learned from each other the different struggles of our respective nations, as well as appreciating certain aspects of each other’s native country. We value aspects of life differently, thus we live life differently. Yet with all our differences — young boys and girls, men and women – we all laugh, cry, love, and need to be loved. Our family has experienced the joys of opening our hearts, if just for a little while, to love another human being from a completely different culture — to make them a part of our heart and home. And to have the privilege of weeping when we must say “…good-bye.” Yes, the tears mean we’ll miss them, but they mostly represent the fact that we know we have had the honor of being loved in return, no matter how different we are. Lourina, 4-H Parent and Volunteer

Contact Mark Mains (mmains@uky.edu), Extension Specialist for more information or to apply today!