4-H Invites Students to Explore Wearable Technology in World's Largest Hands-On Engineering Challenge

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wearable technology has been improving our lives for centuries, starting with such enduring inventions as eyeglasses and watches. As new wearable technology innovations capture the world's attention, 4-H – America's largest youth development organization – is engaging young people to explore the field of wearable technology. Through 4-H National Youth Science Day (4-H NYSD), 4-H seeks to inspire the next generation to engineer wearable solutions to some of the world's greatest challenges: How can a space suit support life on Mars? How can devices cure disease with real-time treatments? How can our clothes make us healthier, smarter and more productive?

The 2017 4-H NYSD challenge, Incredible Wearables, introduces kids to the world of wearable technology through a hands-on engineering challenge designed to get kids excited about STEM. Developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Incredible Wearables brings youth together to design and build a wearable fitness tracking device. This high-tech, low-cost project is perfect for classroom or out-of-school learning, and is suitable for 4th-12th graders. Each kit is reusable and comes equipped with all the materials necessary for 10 youth to complete the experiment. Incredible Wearables kits are available at www.4-HMall.org/nysd.

On October 4, 2017, an estimated 100,000 kids and adults will participate in 4-H NYSD by completing the Incredible Wearables challenge in classrooms, homes and community spaces across the country – making 4-H NYSD the world's largest hands-on engineering challenge. National 4-H Council will host the flagship event in New York City in partnership with Cornell University Cooperative Extension. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of 4-H NYSD, 4-H is calling upon young people and youth groups across the nation to help us set a record for participation. For information on how you can get involved and join the 4-H NYSD movement, visit www.4-h.org/nysd.

"What makes 4-H NYSD so unique is that it gets tens of thousands of kids excited about studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) on a single day," said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. "Incredible Wearables is an exhilarating experience that allows young people to roll up their sleeves and create cutting-edge technology, not just use it."

National Partners supporting the 2017 4-H NYSD are HughesNet®, Lockheed Martin and U.S. Cellular. DuPont is a Signature Partner and CA Technologies is an Official Partner.

About 4-H

4-H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/4H.

SOURCE National 4-H Council