AMES, Iowa -- Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to figure out how something works and make it work better. By accepting this challenge, young Iowans can celebrate National Engineers Week (Feb. 18-24) and Black History Month with a tribute to inventors and innovation.
 
Sponsoring the program is CYFERnet (Children, Youth and Families Education and Research Network), which provides online missions related to science and technology for youth. Jay Staker, Iowa State University Extension 4-H youth development specialist, is working with CYFERnet to create monthly missions related to science and technology. The missions are available online at www.cyfernet.org/4htech/missions.html.

The program for Engineers Week enables youth to take part in such innovative activities as: debug a lunch-delivery system inspired by Rube Goldberg; design and build a kinetic sculpture; and invent new uses for everyday objects.

The African American Inventors Curriculum challenges youth to make something new out of an existing product. A few highlights include: create "magical globs" and relate findings to George Washington Carver; design a traffic system to appreciate Garret Morgan's influence on public safety; and delve into Benjamin Banneker's work by creating a 3-D solar system.

Also beginning in February is It's a Mystery, which explores the mysteries of time, light and season and involves locating 10 global "mystery sites" based on the time the sun rises and sets.

Staker also said, “Don't forget to submit your Digital Media Show-and-Tell entry by Feb. 28, the deadline for  the January 2007, mission.” Contest winners will be recognized at the May 2007, CYFAR (Children, Youth and Families at Risk) conference.
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