Extension Program wins national award

WSU Ferry County Extension’s Colville Reservation Extension Program, through  promotion of the 4-H National Youth Science Day event, Wired for Wind, has earned a $3,000 award.

The 2011 Toyota Innovation Award for Promotion and Media Outreach recognizes the efforts of youth and adults who sent news releases, developed posters and flyers, and created online awareness to publicize the October 4-H Super Science Saturday event.

“This hands-on science experiment helped reservation youth see and understand how science can make a difference in their everyday lives,” said Linda McLean, WSU Colville Reservation-Ferry County Extension Educator. “Our goal is for students to continue to be enthusiastic about science, remain in school, and choose to seek higher education in the scientific fields.”

Over 75 youth participated in an experiment that explored ways of developing sustainable and clean energy sources. Twenty-five adult volunteers guided students, ages 5-16, as they built model turbines, explored blade pitch variables and read voltage meters to learn the amount of energy produced. The youths also explored biofuel and potato power while learning about water quality, constellations, fish health, fossils and chemistry.

The cash award will be used to enhance the Science and Technology Across the Reservation (STAR) program by purchasing laptops or notebooks for future 4-H technology education outreach. “The United States has a shortage of home grown scientists and we began the STAR project to help build interest of local youth in a scientific career.” stated Dan Fagerlie, Ferry  County & Project Director.

Community partners included AVISTA, Colville Confederated Tribes Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Youth, Ferry County, Colville Confederated Tribes Fish & Wildlife, Colville Confederated Tribes Environmental Trust, Colville Confederated Tribes Conservation District, Stone Rose Fossil Interpretive Center, National Park Service, Lake Roosevelt High School and Washington State University.

To learn more about the WSU Extension Ferry County 4-H and Colville Reservation visit the website.

4-H National Youth Science Day details are available here.