Posted: June 26, 2025
More than 100 youth participated in the annual 4-H Engineering Design Challenge, hosted recently by Penn State Extension.
A total of 103 youth from Bucks, Butler, Chester, Fayette, Tioga, and York counties in Pennsylvania — along with students from Cidra, Puerto Rico — took part in the event. The challenge was open to all Pennsylvania 4-H members and was also offered as part of the 4-H school enrichment program.
Many participants were involved through school-based programs, including a virtual course offered by Penn State Extension's 4-H program in Chester County to students in Puerto Rico.
This year's challenge tasked youth with turning simple machines into a whimsical contraption designed to complete an end task — feeding an animal— in a complicated way. Entries ranged from machines designed to feed pets and livestock to those intended for imaginary creatures.
Organizers noted the creativity and innovation in this year's entries and encouraged participants to continue exploring careers in STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. They emphasized the importance of communication skills in the engineering design process.
Members of the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council announced the competition results.
In the junior division, Emma Sholtis, of Smithfield Elementary in Fayette County, earned top honors in both the individual best machine and best notebook categories.
The team winner for best notebook was Mrs. Boone's Group 4 from Laurel Highlands School District. Team members included Madilyn Weasenforth, Cecelia Wilson, and Riley Wheeler.
The junior division team award for best machine went to the "Dinosaur Den," submitted by Alexis Y. Ocasio Ortiz, Ruben M. Rodriguez Perez, Natanael Baez Lopez, and Gadiel J. Ramos Diaz from Cidra, Puerto Rico.
In the senior division, Zephan Samuel, of Butler County, earned first place in the individual category with the "Bark and Meow Machine."
The team award for best notebook in the senior division went to Ethan and Padrig Bowser, of Chester County.
"The challenge gives participants the chance to think like engineers — coming up with potential solutions, building prototypes, testing them, making adaptations and redesigning as necessary," said Toni Stuetz, 4-H youth development educator with Penn State Extension in Chester County
To learn more about STEM opportunities within the 4-H program, Stuetz recommends that students reach out to their local 4-H extension educators.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring, and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
