The 2019 National Youth Science Day challenge, Game Changers, connects computer science to agriculture, healthy living and civic engagement. You won’t need any prior experience with computer science to bring Game Changers to the youth in your program.
1. Picture Passion is an online coding activity from CS FIRST that uses Scratch. Youth will use Scratch to tell a story that they are passionate about. Youth can go deeper with this activity and create a Public Service Announcement with a call to action for a cause that ignites their passion.
2. Hack Your Harvest is a board game where youth “program” their tractor to take the most efficient path from the field to the barn. Challenges like avoiding obstacles or gathering resources make the task more challenging. Youth use computational thinking to solve the problem.
3. Program your Playground is a hands-on experience with the software design process as youth create and test their own playground game. They use everyday objects and make up their own rules to create a game that others can play. They learn to use abstraction and user testing to improve their game.
As you plan your NYSD event, take advantage of the resources and templates from National 4-H Council such as sample press releases, flyers, social media images and messaging, photo booth frames and certificates for participants. Here are four tips for planning an event that can draw attention to your 4-H program.
1. Plan ahead.
2. Engage local media, leaders and community partners in your event.
3. Prepare youth leaders to welcome and guide the media to your event.
4. Invite officials or celebrities to increase interest in your event.
More details at: https://4h.unl.edu/nysd