4-H STEM CoLAB Immersive Retreat (for 4-H Volunteers)

For: 4-H Volunteers (Not a 4-H Volunteer? Enroll in ZSuite to get started!)

Cost: No cost, lodging and meals included (*see Lodging below for optional cost)

The 4-H STEM CoLAB Immersive Retreat is a three-day overnight retreat for adults interested in working with 4-H youth. The retreat will focus on tools and techniques to engage youth in STEM learning. Different STEM content areas will be touched on as we explore different techniques to get youth to interact with different materials and experience scientific phenomena. By the end of the retreat we expect everyone to be energized, connected to a larger support network, and equipped with a personal plan for youth engagement.

This retreat takes place at the AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch. Participants will arrive the evening of Friday, March 13th and depart in the late afternoon of Sunday, March 15th.

Retreat sessions include:

· A 4-H Star Party with The Sky Guy, John Gianforte, Director of the University of New Hampshire Observatory, Astronomer, and Extension Associate Professor/Space Science Education, Youth & Family State Specialist. While gazing at the night sky, you will be guided in constellation identification, naked eye observing, how to identify planets, how to tell the difference between a star and a planet, and more.

· A tour of the White Mountain Science Inc. (WMSI - pronounced whimsy) Makerspace in Littleton, which houses all of WMSI's tools including 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines.

· Sessions in science learning and youth development where we share our tried-and-true tips and tricks for supporting youth in their STEM discoveries. Navigating roadblocks and curveballs, when to step in and when to wait for the "ah-ha!" moment, and how to provide age-appropriate instructions are all skills you will learn.

· Creation of a personal STEM teaching action plan that you can feel confident about implementing in your workshop, 4-H club, classroom, or after-school program.

Lodging

4-H is covering all lodging costs for double occupancy rooms, which means participants would share a room with 1 other participant.

*Single occupancy rooms are available at an additional cost of $122 paid by you, the participant. If you would prefer to pay $122 for a single occupancy room, please indicate that on your registration. Payment for single occupancy is due February 20, 2026.

Meals 

All meals will be provided by 4-H at no cost to participants. Please indicate any food allergies or dietary restrictions on your registration.

Register Here

To register, you must be enrolled as an active 4-H Volunteer. Begin your 4-H Volunteer enrollment here!

What is the 4-H STEM CoLAB?

The 4-H STEM CoLAB (Community of Learning And Belonging) is a community of like-minded volunteers who gather and learn together about what makes kids tick and how best to engage them in science learning. After training, members become mentors and teachers of STEM programs for 4-H youth. Time commitment is variable and can range from a few hours per month to a few hours per week. Please refer the 4-H STEM CoLAB section of the 4-H Volunteer webpage for more details on participation requirements and expectations.
 

If you need an accommodation to participate in our programming, please contact Megan Glenn, Megan.Glenn@unh.edu and 603-641-4391 or Claes Thelemarck, Claes.Thelemarck@unh.edu or 603-447-3834 prior to the event. Given ample time, we will make any reasonable effort to meet your needs, including language access services if requested, which will be provided free of charge.