Iowa 4-H

Voting is open for Theme 109 - Ants Perspective 📷

Vote for your favorite image by "liking" it! (1 like = 1 vote) All photos were taken by Iowa 4-H Camera Corps youth. Voting closes June 30th.

Each photo reflects youth voice and choice, showcasing their perspectives and creativity. These images do not necessarily represent the views of Iowa 4-H.

Learn more about the Iowa 4-H Camera Corps ➡️ https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/iowa-4-h-camera-corps

Congratulations to Iowa's State Winners of the 2026 National 4-H AI Challenge! 🏆🤖

These outstanding youth used artificial intelligence to develop innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities and have now advanced to the National Competition Round.

🌟 Ages 13–15 State Winners:
Satya Thavanesh Yalla
Mayank Bhatt
Coleman Carder
Dhanvin Chelumuri

🌟 Ages 16–18 State Winners:
Syon Aggarwal
Srihar Kumaresan
David Shi
Adham El-Gabry

These talented young innovators represent the future of AI, technology, and community problem-solving. Their creativity, critical thinking, and dedication demonstrate how youth can move from being consumers of technology to creators of impactful solutions.

The National Winners will be announced during the week of July 8, 2026. Please join us in wishing our Iowa finalists the very best as they compete on the national stage!

A special thank you to Microsoft for sponsoring the National 4-H AI Challenge and supporting youth as they explore the possibilities of artificial intelligence and innovation.

Today is the FINAL day to register for the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference!

Get ready to “Ride the Tide of Tomorrow” at the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, June 23–25, 2026, at Iowa State University in Ames! 🌊

Open to all Iowa youth (both 4-H members and non-members) who have completed 8th–12th grade. This three-day experience is packed with opportunities to explore your spark areas, including agriculture, STEM, community service, leadership, arts, and horticulture. Experience campus life by staying in residence halls, dining in campus centers, and participating in workshops held in university classrooms and labs.

Conference Tracks to choose from this year:

1. Choose Your Adventure 🌟
2. Animal Science Round-up 🐄
3. MVP Leadership ✍️
4. Mission Moon 🚀
5. Horticulture 🌿

Registration closes TONIGHT!
➡ https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/iowa4hyouthconference

Congratulations to Iowa 4-H members, Srihari Kumaresan & David Shi!! 🍀🎉

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🤖 Big ideas. Real AI solutions. Next stop: Washington, D.C.

Out of more than 20,000 students and 2,500 project submissions nationwide, four 4-H youth advanced to the national finals of the Presidential AI Challenge.

Congratulations to regional winners and 4-H'ers:
⭐ Anirudh Rao (Colorado State University) – AI and disaster response education
⭐ Cooper Lawhorn (Purdue University) – Pantry Pals, improving food bank connections
⭐ Srihari Kumaresan & David Shi (Iowa State University) – Intelligent Municipal Finance

From AI tools and data analysis to pattern recognition and problem-solving, these youth are building skills that connect to future careers and real community solutions.

Did you know that a recent 4-H survey found that 88% of teens believe AI skills will be important in their future work — and these 4-H’ers are already putting those skills into action!

That’s what being looks like. 🍀

🤖 Big ideas. Real AI solutions. Next stop: Washington, D.C.

Out of more than 20,000 students and 2,500 project submissions nationwide, four 4-H youth advanced to the national finals of the Presidential AI Challenge.

Congratulations to regional winners and 4-H'ers:
⭐ Anirudh Rao (Colorado State University) – AI and disaster response education
⭐ Cooper Lawhorn (Purdue University) – Pantry Pals, improving food bank connections
⭐ Srihari Kumaresan & David Shi (Iowa State University) – Intelligent Municipal Finance

From AI tools and data analysis to pattern recognition and problem-solving, these youth are building skills that connect to future careers and real community solutions.

Did you know that a recent 4-H survey found that 88% of teens believe AI skills will be important in their future work — and these 4-H’ers are already putting those skills into action!

That’s what being looks like. 🍀

▪️Iowa Youth Showcase Innovation at First Statewide 4-H AI Hackathon▪️

Iowa 4-H Youth Development and Iowa State University’s Translational AI Center hosted Iowa’s first statewide high school AI Hackathon in Ames, bringing together youth from across the state to apply artificial intelligence, computer science and cloud computing skills to real-world challenges in an event organized with the ISU Student Innovation Center and supported by industry partners, including Amazon Web Services.

The hackathon was the culmination of a multi-week learning experience that began and ended with in-person sessions at Iowa State University, with virtual mentoring from ISU faculty, staff and industry experts in between. Throughout the experience, young people developed and refined their AI projects before presenting them to a panel of judges on May 8.

Participants from schools including Ames, Johnston, Marshalltown and Winterset collaborated in teams to explore how AI can be used to address real-world issues, ranging from agriculture and education to health and technology.

Full story ➡️ https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/iowa-youth-showcase-innovation-first-statewide-4-h-ai-hackathon

❗️SAVE THE DATE for the 2026 Junior State Science Fairs❗️

Get ready for a day filled with:
🧪 Hands-on STEM exploration
🚀 Young innovators and researchers
🏆 Science fair projects from students in grades 3–5
💡 Creativity, curiosity, and discovery

Whether your child loves animals, engineering, chemistry, nature, robots, or asking “why?,” this is their chance to shine!

📍 6 Locations Across Iowa
📅 November 2026
👩‍🔬 Open to ALL students in grades 3–5

Registration will open on August 1st!

SAVE THE DATE

The 2026 Junior State Science Fairs are coming this November.

Get ready for a day filled with:
🧪 Hands-on STEM exploration
🚀 Young innovators and researchers
🏆 Science fair projects from students in grades 3–5
💡 Creativity, curiosity, and discovery

Whether your child loves animals, engineering, chemistry, nature, robots, or asking “why?,” this is their chance to shine!

📍 6 Locations Across Iowa
📅 November 2026
👩‍🔬 Open to ALL students in grades 3–5

Registration will open on August 1st!

The future of STEM starts here 💚

The 2026 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference is bringing together an incredible lineup of keynote speakers who will inspire young people to overcome challenges, embrace who they are and build momentum for their future. 🤩

🎤 Rachel Eslick, creator of the Lobster Mentality, will lead an interactive session on resilience and growth in the face of adversity. Using practical frameworks, Eslick will equip young people with tools to handle stress, push through challenges and grow stronger without relying on toxic positivity.

🎤 Laymond Hicks will share his compelling journey from troubled teen years to graduating high school with a 4.0 GPA and earning his doctorate by age 29. Through an honest reflection on peer pressure, bully, depression and self-doubt, Hicks will deliver a practical message that challenges youth to believe in themselves, take responsibility for their choices and maximize their moment.

🎤 Kevin Wanzer is a nationally recognized motivational comedian who blends high‑energy humor with heartfelt storytelling to help young people feel seen, valued and connected. His programs encourage youth to lead with kindness, embrace community and rediscover the passions that make them unique.

Join us for an exciting three days this summer! 🍀🎉

📅 June 23-25, 2026
📍 Iowa State University in Ames, IA
📝 Registration is open through June 1

Learn more and register ➡️ https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/registration-open-through-june-1-2026-iowa-4-h-youth-conference-iowa-state-university

▪️Celebrating Innovation and Achievement at the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa▪️

From across the state, 754 junior and senior high school students gathered at Iowa State University to compete for prizes, awards and scholarships during the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa. Students presented more than 569 projects representing 81 schools and 37 counties. Winners are now listed on the SSTFI awards webpage.

Now in its 69th year, SSTFI has become a cornerstone event for Iowa’s STEM community and serves as the premier STEM competition for students in grades 6-12. The fair aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards, encouraging participants to engage in scientific research through both science and engineering methodologies. These standards, highlighted by the National Research Council, emphasize critical thinking and communication skills essential for success in higher education and future careers.

Congratulations to all of the student researchers! 🔬🎉

Full story ➡️ https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/celebrating-innovation-and-achievement-state-science-and-technology-fair-iowa

Iowa FFA Association State Science & Technology Fair of Iowa

❗️NOW HIRING❗️

Iowa 4-H has FIVE job opportunities and we want you! 🍀

📌 Apply by May 20 for the three positions below.
▪️Youth 4-H Extension Specialist I (Southwest)
https://isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/IowaStateJobs/job/Youth-4H-Extension-Specialist-I---Southwest-Iowa_R19115

▪️Youth 4-H Extension Specialist II (Southwest)
https://isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/IowaStateJobs/job/Youth-4H-Extension-Specialist-II---Southwest-Iowa_R19125

▪️Field Operations Manager (North)
https://isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/IowaStateJobs/job/XMLNAME-4-H-Field-Operations-Manager---North_R19138

📌 Apply by May 31 for the two positions below.
▪️Youth 4-H Extension Specialist I (Southeast)
https://isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/IowaStateJobs/job/Youth-4H-Extension-Specialist-I---Southeast-Iowa_R19116

▪️Youth 4-H Extension Specialist II (Southeast)
https://isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/IowaStateJobs/job/Youth-4H-Extension-Specialist-II---Southeast-Iowa_R19123