AMES, Iowa – More than 75 Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county offices and partner organizations are working to provide high quality STEM education opportunities to youth for the upcoming solar eclipse.
On Aug. 21 around 1 p.m., every county in Iowa will be able to experience the solar eclipse. This is a historic event that young people all around Iowa can be part of while learning through hands-on activities, thanks to this program and its partners.
The Iowa 4-H Youth Development program has partnered with the Iowa Space Grant Consortium to provide curriculum, training and materials for educational workshops for 2,000 young people in grades 4-6.
“The Iowa Space Grant Consortium is very excited to partner with 4-H on this truly unique opportunity,” said Jay Staker, associate director of the Iowa Space Grant Consortium. “The Solar Eclipse Day Camp is a great way to get children from all over Iowa interested in science and space.”
The programs offered feature a variety of educational activities themed for the event such as learning how eclipses work and making viewers for safe eclipse viewing. Activities also feature special speakers via technology to feature STEM career opportunities.
“Through this statewide program, we want to inspire young people’s enthusiasm through engaging learning activities,” said Cayla Taylor, ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H program manager for educational opportunities.
Staker added, “Our hope is that this eclipse and day camp using NASA educational resources can be used to inspire future scientists and engineers as they learn more about our planet and solar system.”
More than 75 workshops are currently planned. Iowa 4-H is partnering with local youth organizations, museums, conservation boards and libraries to offer this interactive experience for youth around the state.
To follow all of the solar eclipse day camps on social media, follow the tag #Ia4HSolar on Aug. 21.