I’m excited to announce my partnership with the National 4-H Council to serve as their national spokesperson for the first-ever National Science Experiment. When I first spoke with the people at 4-H, I must admit that I was not aware of their dedication for teaching science, technology and engineering as part of their Youth Development Program. Their efforts to give youth more opportunities to engage hands-on science and to focus kids’ attention on environmental issues is right on target - that’s why I’m excited to be a part of their National Youth Science Day on October 8, 2008.

The National Science Experiment (NSE) will focus on the environment and will use science principles to teach youth across the country about the importance of water conservation. During the creative process, I had the opportunity to work closely with 4-H and Dr. Bob Horton, 4-H science education specialist for the Ohio State University Extension, to create the NSE and related activities, which will be made available to the 6 million 4-H youth plus parents, teachers, students, and youth organizations nationwide in the coming weeks.

Youth who participate in the National Science Experiment will examine the properties of water-absorbing polymers, which are long chains of molecules that can be used in environmental applications such as agriculture, erosion control, soil management, and environmental clean-ups. One of the aspects of the project that I like best is giving these young scientists the ability to conduct the test the tests and then to post their findings online to engage in dialogue with fellow youth nationwide.

One of the goals of the experiment is to encourage youth to discuss the potential impact of superabsorbent polymers as well as environmental issues relating to water conservation and groundwater contamination.  4-H, part of the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture and the 106 Land-Grant Universities across the country, has been educating youth on agriculture and the sciences for over 100 years. 4-H NYSD and NSE exemplify the kind of exploration that the organization encourages so that youth become skilled, responsible, and caring adults in the future.

“4-H has an incredibly strong foundation in the sciences thanks to its relationship with Land-Grant Universities across the U.S.,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., CEO and president of the National 4-H Council.  “This experiment is an example of the way 4-H encourages youth to make a real difference in their community and in the world. 4-H National Youth Science Day will inspire young people to study and to pursue careers in the sciences so that our country is more prepared to handle global challenges in the future.”

4-H National Youth Science Day was announced in June alongside a new public service campaign “One Million New Scientists. One Million New Ideas™.”  The campaign supports the organization’s long-term goal of attracting 1 million new youth to 4-H science, engineering, and technology programs by the year 2013.  4-H’s existing science curriculum combined with these new initiatives will arm youth with the technical skills needed to help America maintain its competitive edge in the global marketplace.  For more information on 4-H National Youth Science Day, go to www.4-H.org.

Maybe I should say we hit all of the Targets with our new science products. If you stroll through the toy isles at Target stores, you might stumble across some old Steve Spangler Science classics along with a few brand new science kits. All of these kits are part of our product license agreement with Be Amazing Toys, a Salt Lake City company specializing in hands-on science kits and toys for children who want to learn how to do something amazing. On the shelves at Target you’ll find Blizzard in a Bucket, Fun-damental Science, Water Wizardry, Fire and Ice Mountain, Jungle Quicksand, Insta-Worms, Morphin’ Gators, F/X Snow, Terrific Twisters and the best selling Test Tube Wonders. Thanks to everyone who emailed when they saw our creations at their local Target store.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - A hands-on chemistry kit developed by Steve Spangler Science for Be Amazing! Toys won one of the most coveted awards in the educational market - the Teacher’s Choice Award. The science kit called Water Wizardry teaches children how to perform incredible scientific acts with amazing polymers that defy the laws of nature. The kit includes more than a dozen science-based activities using non-toxic chemicals that help children better understand the amazing properties of water and the need for water conservation using superabsorbent polymers.

“Chemically speaking, polymers are simply long chains of molecules repeated over and over again. It’s important to know something about polymers because we all need to make informed decisions about purchasing products made from polymers that are recyclable, biodegradable, or reusable,” says Steve Spangler, the creator of an entire line science kits and science toys for Be Amazing! Toys, a Utah-based corporation that manufactures educational toys and learning resources.

“This kit was designed for the young scientist who wants to mix and measure and whip up an erupting concoction without any need for worry on the part of the parents,” according to Spangler. This kit focuses on a class polymers called superabsorbents that absorb up to 500 times their weight in water. “It’s a great way to teach children about environmentally safe materials that can eventually reduce the amount of water we have to use on our gardens and grass.”

“When our kids made a glass of water to erupt into a pile of fluffy snow-like material, it was hard to control the excitement around our discovery table,” says Julie Gintzler, a kindergarten teacher from Maywood Elementary in Indiana. “Lots of activities have a great ‘gee-whiz’ factor, but I was impressed to get the science behind the wow that my kids would understand.”

Learning® magazine first introduced the prestigious Teacher’s Choice Awards program in 1994. Over the years, the program has become widely recognized within the educational market.