BROOKINGS, S.D. — South Dakota youth from 49 area schools had an opportunity to learn about their water resource during the 25th Annual Sioux Empire Water Fest held March 13 and 14, 2018 on the campus of the University of Sioux Falls.
“Through fun activities and displays, youth learned about the various aspects of water literacy – ranging from understanding the water cycle, to how our daily actions impact the resource,” said Katherine Jaeger, SDSU Extension Youth Outdoor Education Field Specialist and member of the Water Fest planning committee.
Jaeger explained the purpose of the event is to inspire interest among fourth-graders in science, technology, engineering and math or STEM topics.
“Research shows that during the upper elementary school and lower middle school years student engagement in STEM subjects begins to decrease – particularly in female youth. Through Water Fest, we hope to make STEM education fun and engaging to can create a renewed passion or to introduce them to entirely new topic areas that may interest them,” she said.
Jaeger was among a team of SDSU Extension and South Dakota 4-H staff who participated in organizing the event that provided fun, hands-on learning opportunities to 2,166 students.
“As the outreach arm of our land grant university, SDSU Extension has a mission to provide research-backed information to the public,” Jaeger said. “This event is a great opportunity to share information with youth.”
Along with Jaeger, the other SDSU Extension and South Dakota 4-H staff who participated in the event include: John McMaine, SDSU Extension Water Management Engineer; Christine Wood, SDSU Extension 4-H STEM Field Specialist; Chuck Martinell, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor- Minnehaha County; Nathan Skadsen, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor- Minnehaha County; Alicia Petersen, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor- McCook County and Megan Kludt, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor- Lincoln County.
More about South Dakota 4-H
SDSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program is a partnership of federal (USDA), state (Land Grant University), and county resources through youth outreach activities of SDSU Extension. Youth learn and experience Leadership, Health and Wellness, Science and Ag-Vocacy through a network of professional staff and volunteers reaching more than 9,000 enrolled members with yearly programming efforts to an additional 35,000 youth participants.
To learn more, contact your local SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor. A complete listing can be found at www.iGrow.org under Field Staff icon.
— SDSU Extension
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