Participants of the 4H HughesNet program Photo: HughesNet

[Via Satellite 01-30-2015] Building on momentum generated in 2014, National 4-H Council and HughesNet, Hughes Network Systems’ satellite Internet service, are announcing a new 2015 program supporting their commitment to introduce more American youth to hands-on, community-based Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. The partnership brings STEM learning experiences to youth across the country, including small communities where resources for interactive STEM learning can be limited.

A new addition to the partnership this year is the “Innovation Incubator” where participants will design science solutions to solve real community challenges. States will compete to receive sponsorships and, ultimately, two young innovators will be selected to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the flagship 4-H National Youth Science Day event in Washington, D.C., where they will participate in a large youth-led science experiment.

Also new this year, National 4-H Council and HughesNet are launching the 4-H GROWN Alumni Campaign. The interactive campaign invites the estimated 25 million 4-H alumni across the U.S. to help direct sponsorship funding to their state.

“In our first year of partnership, National 4-H Council and HughesNet helped thousands of young people experience the excitement of STEM firsthand,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of National 4-H Council. “I am thrilled with our new 2015 program that will engage even more young people and expand our reach to involve 4-H alumni in our mission to show that STEM can be rewarding and fun.”