
- Author: Lorin Hofmann-Lurz
Thanks to the guidance and support of committed adult 4-H volunteers, the California 4-H teams have placed first in the National Avian Bowl 19 times, and second 7 times since 1989. See the full list of results.
This year, besides California, there were 12 other state teams vying for the title of National Avian Bowl Champions. Other states that were represented were Alaska, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
2017 National Avian Bowl Champions
Our 4-H Avian Bowl team took first place in the National Avian Bowl competition, held November 15-16, 2017 at the 2017 National 4-H Egg and Poultry Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
About our team
What's unique about our Avian Bowl team is that they have to coordinate with each other remotely, since they are from different clubs and counties. Congratulations to Abby Milanesa of Buena Vista 4-H club, Kayla Hurt from Paso Robles and Siana Barrett from Dos Palos for their great accomplishment!
What was it like to compete?
”The Avian Bowl was three hours of extreme stress” said Abby. “We competed head to head against the Georgia, Minnesota, New York and Ohio teams. We lost to Ohio, but beat New York so then we faced Ohio again and then we had to beat them twice in a row for the win,” the 15 year old continued, “There were approximately 150 people watching the contest in a room. I studied the guide a lot and practiced in person and via Skype with my teammates for nearly a year. Our coach was my dad (Dan Milanesa) and he designed the custom shirts that we wore. They have the words California Avian Bowl and a quail embroidered on them.”
Big thank you to Dr. Francine Bradley
About the Avian Bowl
An Avian Bowl is a double-elimination knowledge bowl based on poultry-related subject matter. 4-H members from any state who want to compete must use the Clemson University study guide to prepare and have at least 2 team members. This year's topics included embryology, biosecurity, understanding food poisoners and several other avian subjects. Each state hosts a qualifier event in which senior teams (14-18 year olds) compete against each other. Questions vary and team contestants must use a buzzer to answer the questions to earn points.
More than a competition
In addition to competing in a national competition, the participants also have the opportunity to meet people from many other parts of the country, hear from experts in the poultry industry, and tour many well-known sites such as Churchill Downs and the Louisville Slugger factory. These activities are sponsored by the poultry and egg industry as part of the conference.
The conference also features Poultry Judging contests, an Egg Preparation contest and Chicken and Turkey BBQ contests for hundreds of qualified teenagers from across the United States.
For more information
See our past blog post, "California 4-H team goes to Nationals" to read more about competing at the National Avian Bowl.
If you would like more information about 4-H avian projects, please contact DeAnn Tenhunfeld at dtenhunfeld@ucanr.edu.
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- Author: Santiago Piva
- Author: Fiona Reyes
The 4-H Youth Development Program (4-H) and Google are coming together for a first-of-kind collaboration to bring computer science, computational thinking, communication, and collaboration skills to kids across the country, establishing a 4-H Computer Science (CS) Career Pathway.
The goal of the collaboration between 4-H and Google is to empower the next generation to succeed in any career field. Beyond the technical skills, learning CS builds skills in a wide range of important areas, including problem solving, digital fluency, and creativity.
Starting in Santa Clara County
During this first year, we hope reach an estimated 700 youth across Santa Clara County, mentor new teen leaders, have more 4-H adult volunteers leading CS projects in their community clubs, provide opportunities for non-traditional audiences to learn more about 4-H and computer science, and expand the scope of 4-H in Santa Clara County.
Expanding to other counties
We are working on a project plan that other counties can use to start their own CS programs. Our goal for this is to have 10 counties launching projects in July 2018. We'll be offering trainings for interested teen and adult leaders.
Stay informed
Fill out the interest survey for CS Pathways to learn more, stay informed, and give input to the development of the CS program statewide.
Meet our 4-H Computer Science Pathways team
4-H Teen Leaders Fiona Reyes and Santiago Piva are working with Google employee and 4-H volunteer Curtis Ullerich; Santa Clara County 4-H Program Representative Claudia Damiani; and 4-H Youth Development Program Advisor Fe Moncloa.
We are very excited for the upcoming year! There are so many different opportunities in computer science and we would like to invite you to come and explore them with us. In addition to the ten-week long computer science project, we will be hosting computer science booths at festivals and fairs, leading computer science activities at club meetings, giving workshop presentations at 4-H and non 4-H conferences, and much more!
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- Contributor: Emily Stenzler
- Contributor: Casey, Elyjah and Sencio Madera
- Editor: Suzanne Morikawa
We are launching our monthly STEM Highlights with two stories about 4-H'ers doing STEM projects in their clubs. Emily in the North Stockton 4-H is starting up an Astronomy project, and Casey, Elyjah and Sencio in Madera are having fun with Junk Drawer Robotics!
Astronomy in North Stockton
Hi, My name is Emily Stenzler. I am 15 years old and currently the President of North Stockton 4-H. This year, I started a new project called Astronomy.
A few years ago, I participated in a contest with the local Stockton Astronomical Society (SAS). I was nominated by a teacher for this contest. I attended various lectures organized by SAS and I also attended many star parties where I learned about the sky. I was selected from many applications and won my own telescope. From here, my passion of Astronomy grew and I decided to start a North Stockton STEM project on Astronomy.
For our first meeting, I invited SAS to come to the school and set up telescopes. After our general meeting, members got to go outside and learn about our night sky. Since this was early in the year, it was pretty cool since potential members also participated and love it (and joined our group).
In May, I will be setting up my telescope, along with other SAS members, and North Stockton 4-H members will get to share in my passion of the night sky!
STEM in Kern County
We have been having a blast with Junk Drawer Robotics and the Power of Wind. We did a couple of training exercises with John Borba at the Kern County 4-H extension office before he set us free with supplies to show other kids. Kids are given a limited number of supplies and challenged to build an object that will perform a task. The best part is watching the kids figure it out and seeing how excited they get when they understand the challenge.
Our favorite project so far is the “Can-Can” robot. We were given a plastic cup, tape, rubber bands, markers, a little motor, a battery, and an eraser. We were told to build a robot that was able to draw on paper using only these items. When we finally figured out what the eraser was for, the robot came to life! Our robot vibrated all over the paper, drawing gloriously!
Taking everything we have learned to our club meetings and teaching others has been so challenging and yet so rewarding. We love STEM!
Casey, Elyjah and Sencio Madera
Are you doing STEM projects in your club? Share them with us for the monthly STEM spotlight post. Submit your story and photos to morikawa@ucanr.edu.
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