New this year for 4-H Canada, kids will have the option to learn and develop their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills.

Clubs across Canada will take part in a science experiment dubbed ‘in a box’. The kits provided to the kids contain all the components needed to build a wearable health monitor following the engineering design process to build, test, and refine the device.

“With this initiative, our goal is to encourage young people to be engaged actively in STEM by learning to do by doing through fun and interactive experiences,” says Shannon Benner, 4-H Canada CEO.

Support for the initiative comes from Bayer Canada as the founding Science & Technology pillar partner for the 4-H program. Funding is also provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

The kits were first created two years ago by the National 4-H Council in the United States. The Discover Science kits will be distributed to 90 Canadian 4-H clubs in Canada this spring, introducing over 2,200 young members to inquiry-based learning and the importance of science in everyday lives.