Published on 05/01/20

Georgia 4-H hosts virtual series to connect youth with science experts

By Cristina Luisa deRevere, Austin Clark

Georgia 4-H Science and Environmental Education Programs are empowering youth to learn, discover and create by offering a collection of virtual learning sessions, connecting youth with specialists and experts in a variety of scientific fields. The “Zoom into Science” series will include an assortment of hour-long Zoom sessions and allow participants to learn from experts as well as to be exposed to a variety of science-related careers.

“Being able to connect young people with science experts from the field is so exciting,” said Kasey Bozeman, Extension 4-H Specialist for Science and Environmental Education Programs. “Science can be fascinating, but it can also be intimidating. I am so eager for these speakers to not only share about their work but also help young people realize careers in science are vast and ever-changing. Anyone can be a scientist.”

Each session will include a presentation from an expert or specialist and conclude with a Q&A segment with participants. All sessions are free to attend and open to the public.

The first session, to be hosted on May 7, will highlight space. Participants will be joined by NASA Education Specialist Stephen Smith from the Houston Space Center. During his session, Smith share information about upcoming NASA missions, including the upcoming SpaceX launch on May 27. Participants can register for the session at tinyurl.com/scizoomspace.

“We are moving into the next chapters of human exploration,” said Smith. “NASA wants you to take part and hopes you can join us on this journey.”

The next session will be hosted on May 21 and will highlight weather. Former Mitchell County 4-H member and current atmospheric science graduate student Dillon Blount, along with WFXL Albany News’ Kerri Copello and storm chaser Rick Lipscomb, will focus on a variety of weather-related topics and careers. Participants can register for the session at tinyurl.com/scizoomweather.

“I am excited to give back to Georgia 4-H after participating for the majority of my youth,” said Blount. “I realized my career path was truly possible through Georgia 4-H Project Achievement. It helped shape my career path and has now given me the opportunity to share what I love with current 4-H’ers.”

The next session, to be hosted June 4, will feature Neil Shubin, world-renowned paleontologist and discoverer of Tiktaalik roseae, a 375-million-year-old fossil fish, commonly known as the "fishapod.” He will be presenting his work and important discoveries in fossil records. Participants can register for the session at tinyurl.com/scizoompaleontology.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 242,000 people annually through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org or contact your local Extension office.

Cristina deRevere is the public relations coordinator for Georgia 4-H.

Austin Clark is a Georgia 4-H public relations associate.

Authors:

Cristina Luisa deRevere

Austin Clark

Experts/Sources:

Kasey Bozeman

The Georgia 4-H "Zoom into Science" series will virtually connect youth with science experts.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

Download Image

Seth McAllister and farmer Mark Daniel discuss crop production and agritourism.

CAES News

UGA Extension supports agritourism through expert advice and collaboration 10/24/24 Emily Cabrera

On a sunny day with bright-blue skies, I arrive at Mark’s Melon Patch in Sasser, Georgia, and immediately spot the familiar white University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pickup truck, the Terrell County Extension logo prominently displayed on the door. Seth McAllister, the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Terrell County, greets me with a broad grin and a firm handshake. Terrell County alone has 60,000 acres of row crops, half in cotton. But what McAllister loves most about his role as an Extension agent is the diversity of his work.

CAES News

Campers create lasting memories of summer at Georgia's 4-H centers 10/07/24 Josie Smith

By the end of his first week at 4-H summer camp, fifth grader Cooper Hardy already had many memories of new and exciting experiences. “That was the first time I got in a canoe,” Hardy said. “It was a big deal for me.” Now, 10 years later, Hardy serves as a Georgia 4-H camp counselor at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Georgia. It’s a dream he’s held since the first time he set foot on the sprawling, wooded 1,500-acre campus as a camper.

Caroline Hinton is the director of experiential learning for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. (Photo by Peter Frey/UGA)

CAES News

Director of experiential learning herds students toward new fields of education 10/02/24 Averi Caldwell

Caroline Hinton wants to foster a love of learning for all students who walk through her door. As the director of experiential learning for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Hinton helps students connect with their fields of study outside of the classroom. “I find joy and excitement in getting to watch students experience different parts of agriculture and find a place in our state’s own agriculture industry,” she said.

The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel saw some damage from the winds and rain of Hurricane Helene. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)

CAES News

UGA weathers Hurricane Helene 09/27/24

The University of Georgia’s main campus was fortunate to emerge relatively unscathed after Hurricane Helene barreled through the state early Friday morning. However, the impact was more significant at our extended campus locations. While the UGA Griffin campus reported no major damage, UGA-Tifton was hit much harder, with dozens of downed trees and power outages, as well as flooding in several buildings. Damage to farm operations across south Georgia appears to be extensive.

Honorees at the 2024 State 4-H Congress included 4-H Green Jacket Award winner Jay Morgan, Master 4-H’er Vidhi Patel, Warnell Associate Dean for Outreach Nick Fuhrman for Warnell accepting the Friend of 4-H Award on behalf of the college, Georgia 4-H State President Kingston Ryals, William H. Booth Award winner Patrick Willis, and Ryles Rising Star Award Laura Mirarchi.

CAES News

Outstanding youth, supportive adults celebrated at Georgia 4-H State Congress 08/14/24 Josie Smith

Accomplished 4-H youth and the adults who empower them gathered at the 81st Georgia 4-H State Congress in Atlanta July 23-26. The weeklong event for top 4-H’ers features state-level Project Achievement and Leadership in Action competitions and recognizes youth development professionals and community supporters contributing to the success of 4-H in Georgia. More than 200 youth delegates competed in 50 Project Achievement areas and eight youth delegates competed in the Leadership in Action contest during annual event.

Local 4-H students helped install more than 500 plants in the 400-square-foot plot below the mural. (Photo by Sara Ingram)

CAES News

Public art helping to revive rural communities 07/26/24 Margaret Blanchard

In Buena Vista, a vibrant mural at the corner of North Broad Street and Fifth Avenue catches the eyes of passers-by with its bright blue border. Funded by Flint Energies, the mural tells the story of the longleaf pine forests that once dominated Marion County and the turpentine industry, flora and fauna that the trees supported — from gopher tortoises to bobwhite quail.