E-Mail IMAGE: Through lessons about birds and birding, University of Tennessee Extension 4-H agent Andrew Lantz of Davison County, Tennessee, helps youth develop their abilities in STEM subjects and citizen science. Late... view more Credit: Image by A. Lantz, courtesy UTIA. KNOXVILLE, TN -- Lessons for youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics don't have to use robotics, rockets or geographic information system mapping, although all are often employed. STEM learning can be as simple as observing the natural world around us. And learning to do so turns youth into citizen scientists. Andrew Lantz, a 4-H youth development agent with University of Tennessee-Tennessee State University Extension Davidson County, uses wild birds to teach youth STEM concepts. The lesson plans he developed to engage youth in STEM studies involving birds have won him a first-place award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals, as announced during the organization's virtual conference late last fall. The organization selected Lantz's curriculum as the top winner in the category of communications awards -- individual education piece.