4-H STEM Sparks Day

Build your 4-H STEM Sparks experience with a variety of long and/or short sessions.

• Session 1 - 9:00-10:45am – choose one 105-minute session OR two 45-minute sessions

• Session 2 – 11:00am-12:45pm – choose one 105-minute session OR two 45-minute sessions

This event is for youth in Grades 3-13 and adults. Sessions will be led by youth and adult 4-H leaders. Youth in grades 3-5 must be accompanied by an adult.

Adults may also participate in the activity if registered; learn new skills to share with club members. Grades 6+ can attend without an adult.

Each session is $6. Full morning is $12 (2 sessions x $6

LONG SESSIONS:

• Rubber Band Powered Machines (105 min) - Learn to build some simple machines out of popsicle sticks and rubber bands. Then design and test your own machines to solve problems.

• Hang Out with Bats (105 min) - Learn from a bat scientist about local bats. Practice field techniques used to study bats in the wild. Make a set of model cave bats you can use to teach others.

SHORT SESSIONS (youth will choose 2/session):

• Fun With Hydraulics (45 min) - Build a hydraulic lift using cardboard, syringes and tubing.

• Craft-A-Plant: an art exercise rooted in Biology (45 min) - Learn about habitats, choose a habitat, select your applicable plant features to craft, let's grow!

• Science and Sorcery: (45 min) - Create a magic wand that will light up when you grasp the stick in a certain way

• Operation: Rainbow Reactions: (45 min) - Explore the magic of color-changing science using everyday items.

• Backyard Bat Surveys (45 min) - Learn about Wisconsin bats and how to use a bat acoustic "detector." Plan to borrow a detector and conduct your own bat survey. Find out who's flying after dark in your neighborhood.

• Bath Bombs (45 min) - Learn about acid-based reactions by creating your own custom-made fizzy bath bomb to bring home.

• Slime Time (45 min) - Learn about the art and science of making slime

SESSION 1 - choose one

• 9:00-10:45am - Rubber Band Powered Machines

• 9:00-10:45am - Hang Out With Bats

• 9:00-10:45am - Science & Sorcery and Craft-A-Plant

• 9:00-10:45am - Craft-A-Plant and Operation: Rainbow Reactions

• 9:00-10:45am - Operation: Rainbow Reaction and Science & Sorcery

SESSION 2 - choose one

• 11:00am-12:45pm - Rubber Band Powered Machines

• 11:00am-12:45pm - Slime Time & Backyard Bat Surveys

• 11:00am-12:45pm - Backyard Bat Surveys and Bath Bombs

• 11:00am-12:45pm - Bath Bombs and Fun with Hydraulics

• 11:00am-12:45pm - Fun with Hydraulics and Slime Time

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.

This event will be conducted in English. You may request an interpreter, materials in an alternative language or format, or other services to make this event more accessible. Contact Dane County 4-H at 4Hinfo@danecounty.gov or 608-224-3700 by February 20th, 2026. There is no added cost to you for these services.