Code Your World With 4-H National Youth Science Day

This post was sponsored by the National 4-H Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

It’s kind of amazing how some things are spoken into existence without you really knowing that you’re doing just that. Earlier this year, I told my friend Brandie from Journey of 1000 Stitches that I wanted to get involved with 4-H and we started a conversation about me becoming a leader because the South side of Chicago doesn’t have one that’s prominent, and now, here I am working with them to tell you about their National Youth Science Day.

We are homeschoolers, and this year, and we’re dipping our toes into the coding arena this year. While I know a little bit about it thanks to being a content creator – Mr. Houseful is the REAL coder around these parts, and we’re going to tag him in to teach us ALL about it! I love that my kids get to tinker with a little technology every now and again. None of us have ever been involved with 4-H, so we’re excited to wade into new water! 

4-H National Youth Science Day (4-H NYSD) is an annual initiative to inspire kids everywhere to take an interest in STEM topics (science, technology engineering and math) through hands-on doing. It is celebrated nationally on October 1st, with events taking place throughout the month of October in classrooms, clubs, homes, and afterschool spaces across the country.

As a homeschooler, I realize that it’s quite important for my children to learn how to work with technology and not just consume it. I mean, my generation is pretty adept at consuming only, and well, it’s something that holds us back from greatness. It’s important to build solid foundations in this and other STEM areas, because *cue cliche* the children are our future, and we need to teach them well and let them lead the way. 

Code Your World is the 2018 4-H National Youth Science Day challenge that invites kids to get involved in computer science (CS) through fun hands-on activities. Developed by Google and West Virginia University Extension Service, the four-part challenge teaches kids CS skills through fun topics like digital animation, gaming, and dance.

The Code Your World Kit offers a hands-on approach to fostering a general interest in the technology and engineering aspects of STEM. 4-H is doing a great job of providing the source material to do it. Parents are able to facilitate the activities because instructions come for you too! As quiet as it’s kept, computer science isn’t just about coding. Mr. Houseful will be the first to let you know that it’s about being able to problem solve, work with a team, and persevere in a way you didn’t know possible. Have you ever sent an engineer to the grocery store? Nevermind, don’t answer that. 

For the computer-based element of Code Your World, Google and 4-H teamed up to create a new beginner-friendly CS First activity called “Animate a Name.” Animate a Name teaches kids the fundamentals of coding, alongside important problem-solving and collaboration skills, while they learn to make a name come to life through animation, sound, and music. It can be a nickname, the name of a favorite sports team, a place, activity or anything else kids can think of! Of course, my sweet little cherubs thought of self-preservation, and we animated those. Mr. Houseful was a peach and guided them in this activity because I’m admitting now, that I’m still a bit rusty in the coding area. Don’t worry though, because I’ll be using what I learned with Code Your World to help me. 

We also verbally “coded” some sweet dance moves, and we may just let you see those on a Facebook live – just let us get our stage set properly. The ladybug is all in when it comes to coding a special dance, given that she’s part of a dance company that her big brother joined several years ago. It’s serious.

More information about 4-H can be found at the spaces below. 
4-H on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4-h
4-H on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4H
4-H on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/national4h/
4-H on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/national4H
Animate a Name on CS First: g.co/csfirst/nysd-4HSocial