Saunders County Extension & 4-H STEM Backpacks are available for checkout!![](statewide/saunders/4HCampsWorkshops/1.png)
These backpacks are provided by the University of Nebraska Lincoln in cooperation with Beyond School Bells FREE of charge. We do ask that you complete a short survey following completion of the activity. Many of the backpacks contain books in English and Spanish and all contain instructions in both English and Spanish.
Backpacks available for a 14 day check out include:
Tornadoes
Participants will learn how a tornado forms and be able to demonstrate a tornado's spinning motion by creating a tornado in a bottle.
Books included (Both English and Spanish versions):
Elephant Wind: A Tornado Safety Book by Heather L Beal (Reading level 3-8 years old)
Tornadoes! by Gail Gibbons (Reading level PK-3)
Kit includes all supplies except water.
Estimated time: 45 minutes
Volcanoes
Participants will learn how and why a volcano erupts. Participants will get to demonstrate volcanic eruptions by creating a chemical reaction.
Books included:
The Magic School Bus Blows Its Top: A Book about Volcanoes by Gail Herman (Reading level PK-3) - both English and Spanish
Volcanoes by Martha E.H. Rustad (Reading level PK-2) - English only
Kit includes all supplies except dishwashing liquid (1 teaspoon) and warm water.
Estimated time: 1 hour
Food for Animals
Participants will learn what different animals eat to survive. Participants will get to dissect an owl pellet.
Books included:
Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the Night by Mark Wilson (Reading level 4th - 6th) - English only
What Do Animals Eat?: Animal Appetite ABC's by Bonnie Banks-Beers (Reading level 3rd - 4th) - English only
National Geographic Illustrated Guide to Wildlife: From Your Back Door to the Great Outdoors (Reading Level 7th & up) - English only
Kit includes all supplies.
Estimated time is 1 hour.
Pollinators
Participants will identify parts of a flower and pollinate a plant with an artificial bee.
Books included:
Henry Meets a Honey Bee by Justin Ruger (Reading level 1st-5th) - English only
Explore My World: Honey Bees by Jill Esbaum (Reading level PK-2nd) - English only
Bees by Laura Marsh (Reading level 1st-3rd) - English and Spanish
Beekeeping for Beginners: How to Raise your First Bee Colonies by Amber Bradshaw (Reading level 7th & up) - English only
Kit includes all supplies.
Estimated time is 1.5 hours.
Engineer It!
Participants will identify steps in the engineering design process and design a device to float a marble.
Books include:
Emma Ren: Robot Engineer by Jenny Lu (Reading level 4-10 years) - English only
I Want to Be an Engineer by Laura Driscoll (Reading level PK-2) - English only
The Fascinating Engineering Book for Kids: 500 Dynamic Facts! by Dr. Jacie Maslyk (reading level 4th - 6th) - English only
Kit includes all supplies, but you will need access to a sink or bathtub.
Estimated time is 1.5 hours.
Let's Be an Engineer
Participants will identify characteristics needed to be an engineer. Participants will build a clipmobile and learn more about what an engineer does.
Books include:
Rosie Rever, Engineer by Andrea Beaty (Reading level K-2) - BOTH English and Spanish
How to be an Engineer by Carol Vorderman (Reading level 7-9 year) - English only
Kit includes all supplies except for a piece of cardboard.
Estimated time is 45 minutes.
To check out a backpack, fill out the form here.
Survey can be found here.