Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2020Jul 1, 2019 - Jun 30, 2020





Tractor Driving 2019

Author: Mary Anne Garnett

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

Tractor Driving 2019For the first time in many years Christian County hosted a tractor driving contest for 4-H members. On June 27, 2019 at the Western Kentucky State Fair Grounds in Hopkinsville the event was hosted as part of the Western Kentucky State Fair. This allows 4-H members to test their tractor safety and driving skills by pulling a two wheeled wagon through a set course. This was open to any 4-H member ranging from ages 12-18 using the state petroleum power tractor driving contest ru

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Electricity

Author: Glenna Bentley

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

In a collaborative effort with Garrison Elementary the 4-H agent teamed up with the science teacher for third and fourth grade, to teach students about electricity. The goal was to have students understand transfer of energy and apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.    Students were to make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric current.

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SET discovers new path for Teen Girl

Author: John (Connor) Cooper

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

Over fall break Hopkins County 4-H held a series of day camps for youth who were not going anywhere for the week. The day camps that were planned were done in a manner that was not only fun for participants, but also engaged them in learning. One of the camps that we had was a SET camp where youth would be given hands on learning while preforming tasks that the enjoyed. We felt the best way to make the camp successful was to utilize the help of Torey Earle, Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Dev

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SET for the Future through 4-H

Author: Marsha Hagler

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

SET for the Future through 4-H

With a shortage of people to fill high demand, high skilled technology & related fields, Kentucky 4-H is uniquely positioned to provide opportunities for hands-on scientific learning and discovery in 4-H clubs and educational programming.to youth in the areas of Science Engineering and Technology (SET).  Nelson County 4-H has supported SET educational programming by partnering with local schools, providing training opportunities for youth and adult volunteers, seeking grant funding and

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Bridging the Academic Gap with Coding

Author: Chanda Hall

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

     Out of school time is an opportunity to supplement learning from the school day and provide targeted assistance to students whose needs extend beyond what they can receive in the classroom. With an increasing focus on school accountability and student performance, out of school time can play a meaningful role in improving academic achievement and closing the gap between low- and high-performing students.       This past summer Sowing Seeds with Faith Summe

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Coding With Ozobots

Author: Louis Milligan

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

Recent research puts coding at the forefront of future careers. By the end of 2019, 2.4 million STEM jobs were projected to go unfilled. Between 2017 and 2027, the number of STEM jobs will grow 13%, compared to 9 percent for non-STEM jobs- with positions in computing, engineering, and advanced manufacturing leading the way. Currently Only 35% of all high school grads are ready to take college-level science courses, 74% of middle school girls express interest interest in STEM but only 0.3% choose

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4H Robotics Advancce to state FIRST LEGO League competition

Author: Dora Centers

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

          According to the US Berea of Labor and Statistics, the unemployment rate for Knott County, KY, as of October 2019 is 6.8%, compared to the statewide rate of 4.1%.  Therefore, it is especially important to involve youth in 4-H SET learning opportunities since data suggest that at least 20 % of U.S. jobs require a high level of knowledge in any one STEM field (Rothwell, 2013).  The 4 areas of competition are Core Values, Robot Design, Robot Games,

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Egg Incubation in the Classroom

Author: Mary Anne Garnett

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

Agriculture continues to thrive as more science, engineering, and technology advancements allow the industry to use new research and develop techniques to feed our country. It is important to teach students how science and agriculture go hand in hand to put food on their tables every day. This year 391 seventh grade students at Christian County Middle School participated in the 4-H Egg Incubation program in their science classrooms. This program began in 2019 using one of the 7th grade science c

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Get "STEAM'd" Up @ Meade County 4-H

Author: Deana Reed

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

"Get STEAM'd up @ Meade County 4-H" provided participants with a variety of opportunities to learn about all the components of a STEAM focused program.  4-H programming addresses science ability (process) and science anchors (content) under guidance of trained (scientifically able) mentors; an increased awareness of SET skills, content, and career possibilities increases engagement of youth in STEAM careers.  Youth learned scientific research techniques, responsible pract

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STEM in the Classroom

Author: Lois Carter

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

Based on information from the Engineering For Kids website, according to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while other occupations are growing at 9.8%. STEM degree holders have a higher income even in non-STEM careers. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics workers play a key role in the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy, and are a critical component to helping the U.S. win the future. STEM education creates critical thinkers, incre

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4-H Woodworking

Author: Mackenzie Pogue

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

4-H Woodworking

4-H woodworking projects are always in high demand in Muhlenberg County 4-H.  A sense of competence, confidence, responsibility, respect for materials and safety, hand-eye coordination, strength, and fine motor skills, these are all benefits of our established woodworking program.  Our program is volunteer led, additionally providing a positive youth-adult partnership.   Parents of youth work with our volunteer leader as well helping to teach safe woodworking practices.  Once

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4-H STEM Challenge

Author: Regina Browning

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

Careers in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) are expected to grow at faster rate than the average for all other occupations based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  In this field workers use their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) to try to understand how the world works and to solve problems.  Introducing youth to SET activities can spark an interest and develop skills that can provide a framework to future success in these

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Cow Eyeball Dissection Through Virtual Experience

Author: Kindra Jones

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

Cow Eyeball Dissection Through Virtual Experience

Each year, the 4-H Agent works with Grayson County 4th grade students at H.W. Wilkey Elementary and Oran P. Lawler Elementary schools supplementing SET activities into their science curriculum. The most anticipated activity of the year is the dissection of the cow eyeball among the two schools, additionally this year Caneyville Elementary was to do the dissection as well. The agent began preparing for the activity in January for roughly 190 students to take part in the dissection by ordering ove

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It's All About the Water Baby

Author: Casey Townsend

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

It's All About the Water Baby

A group of 10 youth participated in a hydroponics program at the Brighton Center from the Youth Leadership Development program.  They were taught an introduction lesson to hydroponics using the Soilless Systems 4-H Curriculum.  The program participants learned about how to germinate a seed hydroponically, the fundamentals of hydroponics, about what a Plant Scientist does and other AgriScience Careers.  A digital Qualtrics Survey was administered to the youth with a series of 7 que

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Butterflies during the Pandemic

Author: Charles Comer

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

The last quarter of any program year is a time to “finish-off” and “gear-up.”  Most program years for 4-H programming involve finishing-off programs being offered to schools as they wind down the academic year and gearing-up for summer programs for young people involved in 4-H camp or 4-H Shooting Sports, 4-H livestock exhibiting, 4-H horse drill team competition, and the list goes on .  Most years, the spring and summer are busy, busy times.  Most years ar

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With SET the Student Becomes the Teacher

Author: Brandon Darst

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

With SET the Student Becomes the Teacher

According to The Tech Edvocate, “By the time all of our students graduate in a few years or so, over half of the available jobs will be in the STEM field and a large chunk of the rest will require employees to have some STEM knowledge. When students are introduced to robotics in their school years, they can discover any interests and talents that they may have in this job market. Without the knowledge or access to robotics education, there’s no way for students to build interest in t

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Game Changers

Author: Amanda Sublett

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

The 4-H National Youth Science Day Challenge, Game Changers, was taught to every 4th and 5th grader, approximately 600 kids, in the Taylor County, Campbellsville Independent School and Kentucky Christian School systems during October & November.  Pitch Your Passion is an introductory coding activity that teaches kids how to use code to create an animated pitch about why people should care about one of their favorite topics.  Students used code to animate something they were passion

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Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experience

Author: Mollie Tichenor

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

When the COVID-19 global pandemic forced Kentuckians into quarantine youth and families began spending more time at home, minimizing opportunities for youth to engage in typical extracurricular activities. Due to this situation the Kentucky 4-H Program began the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experiences on social media platforms. The goal of the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experiences was to maintain ways for youth and families to engage with 4-H projects, events and activities while learning new life skills th

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4-H Volunteers are Valuable Resources

Author: Laura Huffman

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

4-H youth development programs within Extension depend heavily on adult volunteers and provide extensive education to volunteer leaders. 4-H traditionally focuses on positive youth development, but adult volunteers are the mainstay of the programs. A study of Ohio 4-H agents revealed that they believed orienting volunteers is important but lack information on whether their training programs or teaching strategies are effective (Deppe & Culp, 2001).The Kentucky Volunteer Forum is Extension&rs

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Jefferson County 4-H Virtual

Author: Chanda Hall

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

     According to the After School Alliance (ASA), the after school field is an essential response to the coronavirus pandemic.  The ASA states that innovative program services support youth families and communities in several ways.  Virtual programs provide safe, enriching activities for their families and youth.  A virtual classroom is the core of many online college degree programs.  Many would say that virtual programs are demanding to the presenter yet con

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Positive Youth Development through STEM

Author: Torey Earle

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

The following is taken from the Session 7 presentation on SET Abilities during the 2012 4-H Science eAcademy:“Recent research suggests that learning science requires fluency in multiple aspects of conceptual understanding, practices of science, and identification with the scientific community. While 4-H programs have historically emphasized the development of science process skills (which refer to measurable behaviors and transferable abilities reflective of processes involved with scienti

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Fermentation Unit: Adding to Agriscience Teachers' Agribiotechnology Toolbox

Author: Tanya Dvorak

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

Kentucky is known for many products and industries, including the bourbon industry. One important factor in the bourbon industry is the fermentation process. Fermentation is also pertinent to the production of many popular foods and drinks, including but not limited to breads, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir, pickles, sauerkraut, kombucha, beer and wine, of which some of these are also produced in Kentucky. The bourbon industry alone is worth $8.6 billion and makes up 20,100 jobs in Ke

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4-Her's Exploring Science, Engineering & Technology Gain Real Life Skills

Author: Anna Meador

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

4-Her's Exploring Science, Engineering & Technology Gain Real Life Skills

As one of the newest additions to the Allen County 4-H Program this program year, the 4-H S.E.T. (Science, Engineering, Technology) Club has brought a new fun twist to science and leadership in the form of hands-on-learning activities and team-lead groups.                 Club Leader Elisabeth Mlinko brings her military and engineering skills to the club Photo above: SET Club members test out the capabilities of a variety of different robot senso

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Jefferson County Virtual 4-H STEM camp

Author: Kelly Smith

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

According to the After School Alliance (ASA), the after school field is an essential response to the coronavirus pandemic.  The ASA states that innovative program services support youth families and communities in several ways.  Virtual programs provide safe, enriching activities for their families and youth.  A virtual classroom is the core of many online college degree programs.  Many would say that virtual programs are demanding to the presenter yet convenient to the parti

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