FSAD Newsletter

ENGAGING YOUTH

by Charlotte Coffman

 

Biofuel Blast
Join the worldwide discussion on alternative energy and try the experiment that was selected for the 2009 4-H National Youth Science Day, October 7, 2009.   You need to logon to the website and register in order to download the instructions, facilitator guide, and other resources.  Practice the experiment, gather supplies, recruit youth in your area and get ready for this exciting fall event. This is the second year for the national science experiment that supports the Science Engineering & Technology (SET) mission to engage 1 million youth in SET experiences.

 

New Class for the NY State Fair
As your 4-H members prepare their exhibits for the 2009 New York State Fair, remind them of the new Section DD Textiles and Clothing Class No. 26  Recycled Non-garment, Sewn.  These entries encourage youth to make a useful item (not clothing) from discarded clothes or textiles.  For example, jeans might be refashioned into lunch bags.   Curtains can be remade into pillow covers.  T-shirts can be cut and stitched into pet toys.  To view the announcement, check out page 22 of the
Youth Building Premium Book pdf. file.  This class will be evaluated using the Clothing Construction Beginner evaluation forms.


FSAD Youth Websites

You may have noticed that the FSAD Youth websites have been up and down lately.  In fact, they have been mostly down due to maintenance, updates, failed servers, etc.  All  (except Go Figure!) are back online; some with new URLs.  Check them out.

•  4-H Clothes Line has a new URL and provides information about engaging young people in sewing by appealing to their desire to design something special for themselves.  Patterns will be added to the site in the fall.

•  In-Touch Science  retains its URL and its content on how to use the four In-Touch Science units, how to design a workshop for volunteers, and how to evaluate youth engagement.

• Plants & Textiles — A Legacy of Technology has a new URL because it has been incorporated into the Garden-based Learning website maintained by the Department of Horticulture.  The activities of rope making, mat weaving, indigo dyeing, net knotting, and papermaking are still available and enhanced by new videos.  The Mat Weaving video features FSAD graduate Constanza Ontaneda (2009).

• FSAD Youth Programs provides an overview of the fiber science and apparel design programs supported by FSAD.

•  The Go Figure! website is still not functional.  It is being moved to a different server and a new activity is under development.  We anticipate reactivating the site with a new URL in the fall.  Stay tuned.

FSAD Freebies – Offer good while supplies last!!
With the lofty intention of encouraging CCE county associations to use FSAD youth activities and the practical goal of maintaining at least some order in the FSAD extension workroom, we will occasionally offer free supplies or teaching resources.
This month’s offerings are:
• Beginning Knitting: Easy Project for Kids, a booklet written by Beth Davis.  Limit 1 copy per county.
• Crocheting, a pamphlet published by PennState.  Limit 10 copies per county.
• Hydrogel, the water-absorbing gel used in the 2008 national 4-H science experiment.  Limit 1 cup per county.
To order, contact Karen Steffy, ks247@cornell.edu or 607-255-8605.