Hundreds of students from D.C. and Virginia will join together Wednesday in the world’s largest youth-led science experiment where they will build an aerodynamic craft out of everyday materials in an activity called “Rockets to the Rescue.”

The craft’s goal is to solve a fictional scenario: “to deliver a payload of food to natural disaster victims living on an island,” said a press release. The experiment is part of the seventh annual 4-H National Youth Science Day, the article said.

"The national rallying event for 4-H Science and the world's largest youth-led science experiment, 4-H NYSD is an interactive learning experience that gets youth excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and spotlights the many ways millions of your are engaging in 4-H Science programs year-round,” said the press release. “In addition to helping the young participants develop their teamwork skills, it also shows them that pursuing STEM activities and learning can be fun and rewarding.”

In addition to the event, the press release said, thousands of students will conduct the experiment at local events across the country.

“Young people learning how to work together to build a rocket out of everyday materials to help them develop their teamwork skills and science knowledge,” the article said.

The mission is in response to results from two studies for students in grades 6-12, the press release said. One study found, "youth in grades 6-12 found that half received poor grades in STEM subjects or perceived that STEM careers required more work and study compared to careers in other fields." Another study discovered that only 45 percent of U.S. high school graduates in 2011, "were ready for college work in math, and only 30 percent were ready in science."

View the video here.

Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor