Released September 25, 2008

FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota youth will be among 6 million 4-H’ers nationwide celebrating National 4-H Week, Oct. 5-11, by raising awareness about environmental issues and initiating environmental projects that make a positive difference in their communities.

“Keeping It Green” is the theme of this year’s celebration. The highlight of the week will be the first 4-H National Youth Science Day, set for Oct. 8. The day will spotlight 4-H’s focus on science, engineering and technology. It also will encourage 4-H youth to participate in the first National Science Experiment, a new national activity to make science fun and accessible to youth of all ages.

The National Science Experiment is called Helpful Hydrogels. Participants will be able to explore the importance of water and water conservation by discovering the scientific principles of hydrogel polymers and their use in the cleanup of agricultural, forestry and environmental areas

Youth will be able to share the results of their efforts with participants elsewhere by logging on to http://www.4-h.org.

“The 4-H National Youth Science Day is a great way to spark youths’ imaginations and passion for science, engineering and technology and encourage them to become the next generation of scientists,” says Brad Cogdill, director of the North Dakota Center for 4-H Youth Development.

National Youth Science Day is a springboard for 4-H’s new public service campaign to attract 1 million additional youth to science, engineering and technology programs by 2013.

For more information about 4-H or 4-H National Youth Science Day, visit http://www.4-h.org or contact the North Dakota Center for 4-H Youth Development at (701) 231-7251.

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http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/news/newsreleases/2008/sept-25-2008/national-4-h-week-launches-science-program

Contacts: Brad Cogdill, (701) 231-7253, brad.cogdill@ndsu.edu

Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu