Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Program is taking part in the 4-H STEM Challenge, formerly known as 4-H National Youth Science Day.

The 4-H STEM Challenge is an annual initiative to inspire children to take an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on learning.

The 2020 4-H STEM Challenge will explore sending a mission to Mars with the activity, Mars Base Camp. Developed by Google and Virginia Cooperative Extension, Mars Base Camp is a collection of activities for youth ages 8 to 14. Children ages 5 to 7 can attend but must be accompanied by an adult.

The event will take place Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Falcon’s Nest, 2001 E. Main St., Falconer. Participants will explore the surface of Mars via parachute and will then create a rover to explore further. The cost of the course is $10 for youth currently enrolled in 4-H and $12 for youth who are not enrolled in 4-H. All materials are provided. Face masks must be worn for the duration of the class.

Register by visiting www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua or calling 664-9502, ext. 212. Class size is limited.

The program is sponsored by the Science and Technology Opportunities for Rural Youth (STORY) Program led by Molly Brown, Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H community educator. The STORY Project encourages youth to solve real-world problems with science, technology, engineering and math. Upon completing the Mars Base Camp activity youth will receive a swag bag with prizes. The STORY Program is recruiting groups of youth in sixth through 12th grades who are interested in STEM. Contact Brown for more information at 664-9502, ext. 216.