MD 4-H Military Partnership STEM Day

MD 4-H Military Partnership STEM Day
by K.L  Plano-Faber

For STEM day, on August 20, 2018, I attended a program sponsored by the 4-H-Military Partnership at the Baltimore County Agricultural Reserve/UMD Extension Office (Like the Ag Farm here). This STEM workshop was taught by Ms. Vernelle Mitchell-Hawkins, and Mr. Dwayne Murphy, both Baltimore County 4-H Educators.

As Forensic Veterinary Pathologists, we conducted investigations to see where our case subject, a washed up shark, may have been traveling, why, and what happened to it. We proceeded by dissecting and studying a similar species, dogfish, checking gut contents by making reactions with reagents and more. For some clues of the shark’s trail, our teams used Garmin devices to follow a GPS trail around the campus acreage. Then, after solving the mystery, we designed and engineered a contraption to keep sharks away from the propellers of ships, with provided materials. This was a high tech experience we enjoyed a lot, including meeting other 4-H kids from around Maryland State. 12 youth and 5 youth camp counselors attended.

We recommend these, so if you happen to know of military-connected families in your clubs or are yourself, please help make sure they are getting the news about these events. Contact our Montgomery County Educators to inquire!