ORONO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H is scheduled to offer a short-term online 4-H club about algae and its impact on surrounding ecosystems.

Intended for ages 12-18, the special interest, or SPIN, club will meet from 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays from April 12 through May 17.

Required registration closes Friday, March 31.

The 4-H Ecological Studies Club will introduce ecological knowledge and experiment skills by exploring Maine’s environment in participants’ own back yard, according to a news release from Sarah Sparks with the extension.

This virtual 4-H citizen scientists club encourages youth to practice community science in their own backyard and report their observations while making connections with fellow citizen scientists in their community and around the state. Club members can also learn about Maine ecology and how to participate in research simply by taking a picture.

4-H offers programs that suit a variety of backgrounds, interests, budgets and schedules. Programs are grounded in the belief that kids learn best by doing. Participants complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.

The club is free and limited to 12 participants. Register by Friday, March 31 at extension.umaine.edu to receive the link and at-home materials.

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207-581-8206 or Sparks at [email protected].

Additional information also is available on the Extension 4-H Virtual Learning webpage.

This workshop is supported by Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine.

Check out other upcoming area events!