Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to lead the Green Superheroes of Science (GSOS) program, an educational offering for youth in grades K-2.
As a Teen Superhero of Science, you will help create four weeks of exciting, virtual experiences for younger youth to explore, test and discover materials science through hands-on, minds-on STEM experiments.
What you'll do
- Teach Cloverbud youth (grades K-2) by helping to lead fun and active GSOS activities in our weekly virtual science sessions
- Build valuable skills in public speaking, teamwork, mentoring and group facilitation
- Make an impact on addressing the important issue of plastics in our world by teaching others and learning from scientists
- Interact with other teens from across Minnesota
- Participate in a unique leadership opportunity to lead and teach science in a virtual environment
- Receive leadership mentoring from 4-H staff and explore career paths
Learn more
Teens in grades 6-12 can apply to become a leader in the GSOS program.
Fifth graders who exhibit leadership potential and maturity are also welcome to apply.
To apply, complete the brief Teen Superheroes of Science application by Jan. 5, 2026.
Teen leader opportunities
As a teen leader, you will choose the area you lead based on your comfort level and what works best in your schedule.
As a teen leader, you can choose to lead in areas such as:
- Fun and active live GSOS activities, including the welcome, superhero stomp, 4-H Pledge and wrap-up.
- Games and icebreakers to get Cloverbuds excited and ready to share what they learned.
- "Show and tell” Zoom breakout rooms for youth to share their science experiments in small groups. This opportunity includes co-leading with another teen leader while receiving support from the 4-H adult helper.
- Hands-on lessons to help teach during the live Zoom sessions.
- Large group activities to enhance learning.
Time commitment
Teen Superheroes of Science contribute six to 10 hours of time throughout the leadership experience.
- Training: one-hour virtual session with fellow teen leaders (date in early January, TBD)
- Live Zoom sessions: 45 minutes weekly on Thursdays: Jan 22, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12, runs until 7:30 p.m. It is expected you help with all or most of these sessions.
- Join 15 minutes prior to each Thursday's live GSOS gathering to prepare and 15 minutes after the GSOS live session for debriefing.
- Attend weekly 45-minute check-ins on Wednesdays to plan and prepare for roles in partnership with Extension educators.
- Do the GSOS science experiments before the weekly check-in sessions (a kit will be mailed to you).
Benefits to being a teen leader
- Become a Teen Superhero of Science to younger youth!
- Build valuable skills in public speaking, teamwork, mentoring younger youth and group facilitation that will look great on your resume, future job, scholarship and college applications.
- Connect with other teens from across Minnesota.
- Gain a unique leadership opportunity to lead and teach science in a virtual environment.
- Participate in future science leadership opportunities, such as training others, teaching science in your home county or presenting at youth leadership conferences.
- Receive leadership mentoring from 4-H STEM staff.
Contacts
Amie Mondl, Extension educator, [email protected]
Heidi Wyatt, 4-H program associate, [email protected]
Anne Stevenson, Extension educator, [email protected]