Science Explorers Wraps Up First Workshop Series

-by Samantha Vanstrom, 4-H Program Assistant

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (June 17, 2015) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program is pleased to announce the conclusion of its first Science Explorers science workshop series for teens interested in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields.

On June 4, 2015 members attended the sixth and final workshop at Goose Creek in Ashville. Alberto Rey and Mike Jabot, both of SUNY Fredonia, discussed aquatic life and their use in judging the health of streams with the Science Explorers members. Then Rey and Jabot had the Science Explorers members collect, identify and record the various bugs they caught in Goose Creek that day.

“At first I was thinking it would be gross to touch bugs, but then we got in the water and it was fun. We got all wet. And we found bugs that we didn’t even know were there.” Said Nayeli Ramos, Science Explorers member.

Rey and Jabot also had a freshly caught brown trout on hand to show members. Before releasing it back into the creek, Science Explorers were able to learn more about local fishing as well.

Goose Creek was the last workshop for this round of Science Explorers, which included trips to Martz Observatory, the Lake Erie Grape Discovery Center, Jamestown Audubon, Cummins Engine Plant, and the County Landfill and energy generation plant. United Way of Southern Chautauqua County has generously agreed to fund two more rounds of science, technology, engineering and mathematics themed workshops through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County. The program is being run as a special interest program of 4-H, reaching out to both 4-H members and non-members alike.

For this round of workshops, 4-H worked with the Eastside YMCA Middle School.

“The Middle School Academy always seeks to build an enriching after school experience, and these field trips certainly helped serve that purpose.” Said John Barber, Teen Director at the YMCA of Jamestown. “Our scholars saw firsthand how science relates to everyday life and a variety of careers. I hope these trips helped spark a curiosity and drive to learn science in their current school studies while also enlightening their goals and dreams for the future.”

The next round of Science Explorers workshops will begin in the fall with a new group of middle school students. If you are interested in participating, as a youth group or individual, or as a workshop instructor, contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H office at 716-664-9502 extension 214. All trips are scheduled outside of regular school time as part of 4-H special programming.

Photo Caption: Science Explorers members sketching a brown trout caught earlier in the afternoon by instructors Alberto Rey and Mike Jabot in Goose Creek.

Photo Caption: Science Explorers members using a sein net to collect bugs in Goose Creek.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated July 26, 2019