As part of 4-H NYSD, 22 youth from Southern Lab School’s 6th-grade Science class will participate in the 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge: the 2012 National Science Experiment, which will demonstrate that by utilizing engineering principles, youth can have a positive impact on communities and ecosystems.

Designed by The Ohio State University Extension, the 2012 National Science Experiment will introduce youth to robotic engineering concepts as they program an autonomous robot to clean up a simulated environmental spill.

The 4-H'ers will enhance their engineering skills by assembling their own Eco-Bots and surface controls to manage an environmental clean-up. Youth will then test the interaction between the Eco-Bot’s design features and various surface control configurations to determine the most effective clean-up solution for the simulated spill.

The Eco-Bot Challenge experiment will be held at the Southern University Agricultural Research & Extension Center, Room 191, 1st floor, A. O. Williams Hall, on B.A. Little Drive in Baton Rouge, Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. – Noon.

For more information or to RSVP to attend, please contact Tiffany Wilkerson-Franklin at 771-2775 or e-mail tiffany_franklin@suagcenter.com.

To combat a national shortage of young people pursuing science college majors and occupations and to enhance the nation's contribution to the sciences, 4-H NYSD demonstrates that science, engineering, math and technology are fun and attainable options for college degrees and future careers.

Currently, more than five million young people across the nation participate in 4-H science, engineering, technology and applied math year-long programming.

Through the One Million New Scientists, One Million New Ideas campaign, 4-H is working toward a bold goal to engage one million new young people in science, engineering, technology and applied math programs by the year 2013.