It truly takes a community to inspire the next generation, and a recent collaboration proved exactly what is possible when local organizations join forces. UW-Madison Division of Extension Washington County 4-H programs recently partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County and the Casa Guadalupe Multicultural Center to host an impactful STEM Day at Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC).
The event provided local youth and families with a morning dedicated to science, technology, engineering, and math, combining hands-on learning with real-world exploration.
Partnering with local youth organizations and higher education institutions like MPTC is vital to Extension’s mission. These collaborations offer families a unique opportunity to explore together, helping students uncover the hidden “sparks” and passions that might shape their future career and educational choices. By bringing together diverse community resources, the event bridged the gap between early curiosity and future possibilities.
During the event, participants dove into creative, hands-on makerspace activities led by Washington County 4-H youth leaders and adult volunteers. These 4-H mentors shared their time and enthusiasm to build confidence and curiosity in the younger students. Participants also toured MPTC’s high-tech labs led by an academic staff, gaining firsthand insight into college programs and technical career pathways.
Extension Washington County 4-H extends its sincere gratitude to Big Brothers Big Sisters, Casa Guadalupe, and the staff at MPTC for their incredible collaboration, as well as the 4-H volunteers who made the day a success. This event beautifully demonstrated how Washington County communities can unite to support STEM learning, career and college readiness, and youth development.
Do you have a skill, career path, or passion you’d love to share with young people? Washington County 4‑H is always seeking adults who enjoy working with youth, want to inspire the next generation, or simply care about helping young people discover their spark.
If that sounds like you, please contact Kelly Dione, Washington County 4‑H Educator, at Kelly.Dione@wisc.edu or 262‑335‑4799—and come volunteer with us!
