Volume 5, Issue 3 HTTP://NEWS.CALS.VT.EDU/INNOVATIONS The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Featured CONTENT The sky’s the limit .................................................... 1 THE SKY’S THE LIMIT Dean’s Update .......................................................... 2 Innovations is going at 4-H camp where kids learn about life, digital the universe, and everything in between By Amy Loeffler ..................... Rocket science requires lots of high-tech Young people involved in 4-H 2 instruments, but when you’re a young Alumni Making a Difference: Scott Stevens ........... 2 4-H’er, there’s one thing that is essential are twice as likely to participate to your airborne creation’s design. in science programs during out- Taking a bite out of the “We’ve got stickers over here to Zika virus decorate your rocket,” said Spencer Gee, 20, from Tazewell, Virginia, a of-school time. This is proof camp counselor at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center outside of that investing in youth has a ..................... Front Royal. 3 direct payoff for generations. Gee is teaching a Create, Innovate, Virginia Tech researchers itching to learn Solve class where the kids are using — Cathy Sutphin more about poison ivy ............................................. 3 nothing but PVC pipe, construction associate director of 4-H youth development paper, Scotch tape, a 2-liter soda bottle, StREAM Lab creates a healthy future for and, most importantly, their historic Stroubles Creek .......................................... 4 imaginations to make rockets and study the principles of physics. Summer internships pave the way for success ...... 4 “I love teaching this class,” said Gee. “I Around the College ................................................... 5 give open-ended directions, and the campers take the initiative to construct Alumni happpenings ................................................ 6 the rocket the way they want.” One camper, who was decked CALS welcomes 750 new alumni ............................ 7 out with stickers on her cheeks, decorated her Virginia Tech alumnus purple construction takes the reins at University of Nebraska- Lincoln ..................... These days, 4-H’ers are learning about STEM activities such as rocket science 7 in this class at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center. Nemo found at Seafood AREC ..................................7 Helping to roll out Virginia Tech’s ‘welcome mat’ paper fuselage with black and white tie-dye to yoga to STEM during .....................................................................................8 checkerboard stickers. Another overnight camps. About 17,000 Virginia tempted the laws of physics by youth attended a 4-H camp a year. Keep up with all the exciting research, academic, and opting for fins made of triangular- Across the state, more than 103,000 Extension news at the College of Agriculture and Life shaped pipe cleaners in lieu of the participated in STEM activities at Sciences’ website, www.cals.vt.edu, or find us on social media. more-popular paper additions. camps or in their home communities in 2015-16. The rocket stomper class is based on the Maker Program, which “Young people involved in 4-H are encourages young people to learn twice as likely to participate in science Online extras, videos, links, and an interactive version of Innovations can be found at about science, technology, programs during out-of-school time. engineering, and math through This is proof that investing in youth http://news.cals.vt.edu/innovations building activities. has a direct payoff for generations,” said Cathy Sutphin, associate director The camp class is about more than of 4-H youth development. “That’s the building rockets out of construction strength of 4-H.” paper though. It’s about building confidence while teaching life skills One camper, Kristopher Scott, 14, and allowing the kids who attend 4-H from Manassas, Virginia, has camp to make their own choices. discovered a new passion for science. The classes taught here are “Yesterday we learned about the indicative of the evolving face of 4-H difference in density between oil that maintains its tradition of and water when we made lava lamps,” agriculture-based learning systems he said. “I’ve always liked science. while fostering many aspects of I never really thought I was that knowledge and team building in interested in it until I came to classes that teach everything from 4-H camp.” Volume 5, Issue 3 HTTP://NEWS.CALS.VT.EDU/INNOVATIONS Page 2 Dean’s Update Greetings from CALS, At 4-H camps across the commonwealth, more than 17,000 children a year experience the time-honored traditions of 4-H that promote good citizenry and community service through the 4-H motto, “head, heart, Innovations hands, and health.” But as times have changed, so has 4-H. is going digital In programs around the state and the country, the nation’s largest youth development organization is rising to meet the demands of a new century. Starting next year, most readers will begin While activities that 4-H is known for, such as livestock judging, continue receiving Innovations digitally via an email to be the cornerstone of 4-H foundational leadership, 4-H also now pointing you to the Innovations website where you teaches a wide array of STEM subjects, including drone technology, can read the issue. robotics, and electronics. Much like the current Innovations website, it will Much like the cover story in this issue of Innovations illustrates, Virginia have all the news and updates about the college, 4-H camps provide opportunities to foster these modern skills in a including student activities, research discoveries, traditional 4-H environment. We are working Extension outreach, and alumni accomplishments. 4-H’s goal of preparing students for a new generation of challenges To ensure that you stay up to date on the latest dovetails with the college’s mission to groom successful leaders for the with a new college developments, please update your contact 21st century. We are working with a new university-wide initiative called information at www.alumni.vt.edu/gateway. “Beyond Boundaries” — a program to create purpose-driven students for university-wide an increasingly interconnected, global world. If you would like to continue to receive a print copy or have any questions about the change, feel free Speaking of innovation and change, we are looking forward to the initiative called college’s new School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. This school — to contact Zeke Barlow, Innovations editor, at which includes the departments of horticulture; crop and soil “Beyond [email protected] or 540-231-5417. environmental sciences; and plant pathology, physiology, and weed In the meantime, be sure to check out all the science — will allow a breadth of collaboration and cooperation among Boundaries” — a news and information from the college at departments while creating new education and research opportunities for https://news.cals.vt.edu/innovations. faculty and students. The proposal for establishing the new school is currently making its way through the review and governance processes. program to create On the international front, Professor Tom Thompson has recently been purpose-driven appointed as the new CALS associate dean and director of international programs. Tom, who has been the head of the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences for the last five years, will focus on growing students for an the college’s international programs across our teaching, research, and Extension missions. increasingly As always, thank you to our friends and alumni who continue to support the college in so many different ways. interconnected, Sincerely, global world. Alan Grant Dean Alumni Making a Difference: Scott Stevens There are the times when being a 4-H camp volunteer a fourth-grader growing up in Bedford County, Virginia. He means the days are long and the pace is fast and trying started using the lessons he learned in 4-H to help his to keep up with more than 400 kids is a challenge. community long before he ever heard the words “Ut Prosim” (That I May Serve), and his years at Virginia Tech But Scott Stevens wouldn’t have it any other way. solidified his belief in volunteerism. He hasn’t looked and feel “To see the excitement from the 4-H campers as back. they jump off the bus and to hear them share their stories is priceless,” he said. Stevens manages the retail and agronomy sectors at the “Some of my favorite Rockingham Cooperative store in Troutville, Virginia. In memories are from when I addition to volunteering for 4-H, Stevens is active in had the opportunity to several local Botetourt County organizations. He gives spend time with campers back to the university and the college by serving on the who came from challenging boards of the CALS Alumni Organization and the Virginia family situations. To see the FFA Foundation, and he is involved with the new CALS love in their eyes, knowing mentoring program. that others truly care for them, means the world to Though Stevens gives freely of his time, he often feels as me. It is all about giving though he’s the one benefitting from his experiences. back.” “The emotional and mental return I get from working with Stevens, a 1992 graduate in so many young people is truly overwhelming at times. Scott Stevens says working with young people at 4-H camp is a truly rewarding animal science, has been Volunteering has a way of re-energizing the soul,” he experience. involved in 4-H since he was said. Keep up to date with all the college’s news and upcoming events at www.cals.vt.edu Page 3 HTTP://NEWS.CALS.VT.EDU/INNOVATIONS Taking a bite out of the Zika virus by Zeke Barlow For years, researchers in the college have worked to Meanwhile, Maria Sharakhova and Igor Sharakhov, both develop ways to fight the many diseases and in the Department of Entomology, are part of an problems that mosquitoes cause, from malaria to the international team of researchers that was featured in the West Nile virus.