The Central Area Tech Team is a new 4-H club formed in October 2007. The group has 16 members from throughout the Central Iowa area, bringing together 4-H youth who have a mutual interest in all things tech-related! About 75% of the members are also members of other 4-H clubs, so are considered dual-enrolled!
Some of the areas of focus for Tech Team this first year include: learning about GPS and participating in a geocaching scavenger hunt on the ISU campus (and a trip to the Farm Progress Show to see GPS/GIS in action), sharing favorite Tech Tips and websites with each other as well as developing a team website, computer programming (with NxT-G & other software), robotics, and digital photography and editing software. Members are encouraged to share their tech knowledge and talents in their own communities and local 4-H programs as well.
This coming summer, the group will perform a service project that includes an overnite campout at the State 4-H Camp. Members will assist the camp in putting together a promotional video which the camp can use, as well as helping organize a permanent GPS/geocaching scavenger hunt and assisting in computer work at the camp - all this along with other fun camp-related activities while we're there!
One or two other field trips to see technology in action are also being planned for next year, with the possibility of networking with the State Tech Team as well as the SE Area Tech Team. Not only are members learning from special speakers and activities, but they are learning from each other as well, since they all bring various tech skills and talents to this group already.
The Tech Team has been fortunate to receive start-up grant funds through Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids. Meetings are generally held the 2nd Saturday of each month at 1 pm at the Story County Extension office. For more information about the group, or if you're interested in joining the Tech Team (anyone w/ an interest in technology is welcome!), please e-mail the leaders or visit the group's website Also, if you are going to the State Volunteer leader's retreat, come check out the SET program presentation on various Tech Team opportunities which could benefit your local 4-H clubs! We can be available to present at 4-H club meetings!
Tech Team; Deb; Meridith
4/4/2008