Burlington--The winter/spring series of VTeen 4-H Science Pathways Cafés features a diverse range of topics from new cancer therapies to quantum computers and aquaponics.

Several cafés are scheduled, both virtual and in-person, beginning January 11. Teens are encouraged to mark their calendars now so they don't miss out on the fun.

University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H sponsors these cafés throughout the year to encourage students in Grades 7-12 to explore new and cutting-edge ideas in science and technology with the help of experts. The cafés are organized and facilitated by a leadership team of teens.

Advance registration is required for each café. Go to www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/announcements for details and deadlines to register.

In-person cafés (I) will be held on Saturdays from 5-7 p.m. in the Mansfield Dining Room at UVM's Dudley Davis Center with strict COVID safety protocols in place for all participants. Free pizza and drinks will be served.

Virtual cafés (V) take place on Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. and will have closed captioning. Recordings of all teen science cafés will be available to view on YouTube at https://go.uvm.edu/4hteensciencecafes.

The schedule is as follows:

January 11 (V): The Long and Winding Road of Developing New Cancer Therapies

January 22 (I): Culturing Cells for Healthier Soil

February 5 (I): Design Innovation Mindset: Shifting the Waste-to-Value Paradigm

February 22 (V): NASA Internship Research about the Space Suit

March 19 (I): Precision Genomics Medicine and Diagnostics

March 29 (V): What Can a Quantum Computer Do? Why Should You Care?

April 9 (I): Moon Base

April 30 (I): Aquaponics:The Basics of Growing Plants from Fish

May 10 (V): TBD

Requests for a disability-related accommodation should be made three weeks in advance. Contact Lauren Traister, UVM Extension 4-H Teen and Leadership Program coordinator, at (802) 888-4972 or toll-free at (866) 260-5603.