Quacking Codes

Numerous 4-H medals with maroon ribbons on a table.

Photos by Michaela Parker

Building bridges. Programming robots. Presenting research. Hundreds of Mississippi 4-H’ers looked for new solutions and ways to improve at the 2023 4-H Junior STEAM Day.

4-H projects in STEAM, short for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, teach children to explore what’s possible and how to respond to real-world challenges. Cloverbuds, ages 5–7, and junior 4-H’ers, ages 8–13, met at Mississippi State University in the Bost Extension Center in June.

Themed “Quack the Code,” 4-H Junior STEAM Day activities focused on the Mississippi River and the real-life challenges it has presented in past years.

4-H’ers used bridges, water, and rubber ducks to take on challenges: coding, programming, and testing robots; questioning, experimenting, and presenting research; and building, sculpting, and creating art.

MSU Extension personnel and 4-H volunteer leaders coordinated the event.

Five boys wearing yellow T-shirts surrounding a robot picking up small baskets.
Grayson Lewis, Ian Mosley, Dylan Coleman, Declan Mosley, and Thomas Smith of Newton County
A girl building with LEGOs.
Kandence Brown of Madison County
A boy holding a chick.
Dean Mullican of Madison County
A girl laughing and holding an unfilled yellow balloon.
Jada Ivy of Kemper County
A girl smiling and holding a paper towel while a little boy looks on.
Eli Nevins of Lowndes County and Aurilla Morgan of Oktibbeha County
Two girls working together with modeling clay
Madison Boston of Leflore County and Liz Andol of Oktibbeha County
A boy looking intently at a robot.
Ezra Brown of Madison County
A girl and boy working with batteries.
Amaya Roberson and Michael Roberson of Hinds County
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