Youth science day makes millions of young scientists

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, millions of young people across the United States will become scientists for the day as they explore the world of biofuels. On the second annual 4-H National Youth Science Day, youth will participate in “Biofuel Blast,” an investigation of how organic plant materials can be converted to biofuels to supply alternative forms of energy.

Biofuel Blast, known as the National Science Experiment, was created by Cathy Vrentas of the University of Wisconsin-Extension and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Biotechnology Center. The experimenters will produce the biofuel ethanol from corn sugars and encourage young researchers to explore how other plants and feedstocks — such as switchgrass, sorghum and algae — could be used to produce biofuels. Youth are encouraged to share their results via the Web.

During National Youth Science Day, Bruce Dale, professor of chemical engineering at Michigan State University, will take “Ask the Expert” questions about biofuels from youths and adults. Dale is a research leader at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), which is developing cellulosic ethanol and other bioenergy sources. UW Cooperative Extension worked closely with the GLBRC to develop Biofuel Blast. Wisconsin 4-H received $10,000 from the national 4-H organization to develop the Biofuel Blast program.

For more than 100 years, 4-H has been at the forefront of teaching youth about science, engineering and technology. 4-H National Youth Science Day is an important annual part of 4-H’s One Million New Scientists-One Million New Ideas campaign, with the goal of attracting 1 million new youth to science, engineering and technology programs by year 2013.

For more about UW-Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program, visit http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/about/index.cfm.