For teens interested in science — and parents and teachers seeking ways to enhance online instruction during the COVID-19 school closure — Virtual QuaranTeen Science Cafés, led by UVM Extension, are quickly proving to be a welcome resource.
This educational enrichment series is a free opportunity for teens to explore STEM topics with local scientists, engineers and technology experts from the University of Vermont and other institutions. Teens “meet a scientist,” learn about their work, and participate in informal discussions online.
UVM Extension teen and leadership specialist Lauren Traister has been offering an in-person, hands-on experience in recent years, and saw an opportunity to reach more youth when schools closed. “Switching to a virtual platform for the cafés allowed us to continue our programming and offer valuable enrichment opportunities for youth in Vermont and all across the country,” notes Traister.
The first 45-minute webinar featured Lake Champlain Sea Grant experts discussing “Benthic Basics”: stream management and biological indicators. The benthic layer is located at the bottom of a body of water. Sea Grant experts Ashley Eaton, Caroline Blake and Nick Trachte shared how to identify benthic organisms, and what they mean for water quality and stream health. More than 70 youth from Vermont and five other states, including California, connected and engaged with the experts through real-time polls and questions.
This session was also a celebration of the United Nations World Water Day (March 22), an observance highlighting the global importance of fresh, clean water. This year’s theme was Water and Climate Change, a key component of the discussion of climate impacts on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in freshwater streams.
More cafés are planned in April and May. Upcoming topics including small satellite propulsion systems, the science of maple sugaring, and human cell genetic editing. Program information, registration and session recordings are available at http://go.uvm.edu/4-hyouthopportunities.
4-H is developing additional no-cost programs for younger audiences, including distance learning socials for youth, age eight and older, to explore topics in science, healthy living and civic engagement.
Source: UVM News