Mattamuskeet Elementary School is gearing up for another year of the 4-H National Youth Science Day, but it’s expected to happen later in Hyde County than its planned start date of Oct. 7.

According to Natalie Wayne, Hyde County Extension director for Hyde County 4-H, the Science Day will likely take place sometime in January, as this will be a better fit with the elementary school’s curriculum.

Wayne said the theme for this year is “Motion Commotion,” which will teach children about topics such as motion, reaction time and stopping distances.

According to a newsletter, “the concept of physics and motion will be put to the test in many hands-on demonstrations and experiments in a classroom setting.”

“What they will be doing is pretty much designed to align with engineering practices,” Wayne said. “The science teacher in the Mattamuskeet Elementary School, Ms. (Sherry) Harris, will be doing this STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) activity in the third, fourth and fifth grade.”

This is the second year Hyde County 4-H has partnered with Harris to make the Science Day a reality, and last year only fourth graders participated, Wayne said, adding that about 100 students are expected to participate this year.

She said science kits that go along with the activities were purchased by the local 4-H organization and have already been delivered. They include everything the teacher may need, including the curriculum and materials.

Wayne said the Science Day is also a good opportunity to teach children how to engage with their communities beyond the classroom, and Hyde County Schools has been a good partner with which to work.

“Hyde County 4-H has a wonderful partnership with the school system,” she said. “Just the relationship we have with the teachers and principals out there, they’re very easy to work with.”

For more information about the 4-H National Youth Science Day, visit www.4-h.org/4-h-national-youth-science-day.