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This spring, the Mercer County 4-H STEM Ambassadors have been active across Mercer County and New Jersey, representing Rutgers Cooperative Extension and sharing their passion for STEM with youth, families, and fellow learners. Here is a look at the different events they participated in this season:
On April 5, our STEM Ambassadors participated in Spring into Science, a large-scale outreach event hosted by Princeton University. Coordinated by the university’s Office of Outreach, this event brought together over 300 Mercer County youth for a day of science discovery. The STEM Ambassadors led a series of engaging, hands-on activities for youth and families, including interactive demos using MakeyMakey and basic circuit kits. By participating as exhibitors, the Ambassadors helped showcase the work of Rutgers Cooperative Extension while contributing to a collaborative learning environment alongside scientists and educators.
On April 12, the STEM Ambassadors attended a Teen Science Café focused on “The Science of Addiction.” During this session, students heard directly from a researcher and professor specializing in addiction science. The talk explored how addiction impacts the brain and behavior, combining neuroscience, psychology, and public health perspectives. The Ambassadors had the opportunity to ask questions, engage in small group discussions, and reflect on how science can help solve real-world problems. Events like these deepen the teens’ understanding of STEM careers and inspire them to think critically about social issues through a scientific lens.
On April 27, Mercer County 4-H STEM Ambassadors traveled to New Brunswick to represent Rutgers Cooperative Extension at Rutgers Day, one of the state’s largest public festivals. Rutgers Day features more than 500 free programs, including exhibits, hands-on activities, music, food, and student showcases. The Ambassadors contributed to the day’s excitement by leading activities using MakeyMakey boards, electromagnets, and digital art activities using iPads. The event allowed the Ambassadors to both teach and learn—interacting with hundreds of curious youth while exploring the campus and connecting with other STEM programs.
On May 10, select STEM Ambassadors participated in the STEM Equity Challenge, a research opportunity for youth to present original research focused on equity in science, technology, engineering, and math. The teens conducted research projects addressing disparities in STEM education, access to technology, and healthcare disparities. They presented their findings to family members, showcasing not only their research and data analysis skills but also their commitment to making STEM more accessible and inclusive. This event empowered youth to use science as a tool for advocacy and community change.
To round out the season, STEM Ambassadors participated in a Machine Learning Hackathon on May 31. Working in teams, the youth were challenged to develop a machine learning model and mobile app to address a real-world issue. Over the course of the day, the Ambassadors brainstormed, designed, and coded solutions—applying skills in logic, programming, and teamwork. The event introduced them to the growing field of artificial intelligence and gave them hands-on experience in building digital tools. For many, this was their first time working with machine learning concepts, and it sparked a new interest in computer science and data science.
Spring 2025 was packed with meaningful experiences for our Mercer County 4-H STEM Ambassadors. These events helped teens sharpen their public speaking skills, explore STEM topics in depth, and gain confidence as young leaders. By connecting with the broader community and engaging in real-world STEM challenges, our youth continue to grow as learners and changemakers. Mercer County 4-H is proud to support these opportunities and looks forward to a summer full of discovery and impact!