Quacking Codes

Numerous 4-H medals with maroon ribbons on a table.

Photos by Michaela Parker

Building bridges. Programming robots. Presenting research. Hundreds of Mississippi 4-H’ers looked for new solutions and ways to improve at the 2023 4-H Junior STEAM Day.

4-H projects in STEAM, short for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, teach children to explore what’s possible and how to respond to real-world challenges. Cloverbuds, ages 5–7, and junior 4-H’ers, ages 8–13, met at Mississippi State University in the Bost Extension Center in June.

Themed “Quack the Code,” 4-H Junior STEAM Day activities focused on the Mississippi River and the real-life challenges it has presented in past years.

4-H’ers used bridges, water, and rubber ducks to take on challenges: coding, programming, and testing robots; questioning, experimenting, and presenting research; and building, sculpting, and creating art.

MSU Extension personnel and 4-H volunteer leaders coordinated the event.