Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2025Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025
Spike Prime
Author: Casey Townsend
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
McClean County and Carlisle, Kentucky are both rural populations with a large farming community. With them being agricultural areas computer science is not a priority in preparing for future careers. 4-H Agents Nolan Petit and Cole Bell assessed the needs for clubs outside of the traditional model to start STEM clubs in their respective counties. The results were overwhelming with the clubs becoming full. Due to the high interest in STEM clubs, the 4-H agents requested a SPIKE
Full Story
CYFAR (Children, Youth, and Families at Risk) Grant Supports Imagination Science Discovery Field Trip for Youth in Hardin County-Sept. 2024
Author: Chandra DeRamus
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
Title: CYFAR (Children, Youth, and Families at Risk) Grant Supports Field Trip for Youth in Hardin County-Sept. 2024Name: Chandra DeRamus, FCS Extension AgentPlanning Unit: Hardin County CESMajor Program: 4-H-Science, & TechnologyDate: 9/30/24 Within certain communities within Kentucky, families are faced with different challenges. Among those challenges are rent increases, food increases, and the rising cost of utilities. When the cost of goods increases, that
Full Story
4-H SET Club
Author: Kindra Jones
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
Many families with school age children are seeking opportunities for their youth to have hands on science learning experiences. 4-H offers a wide variety of activities that can provide these experiences for the youth; from computer and digital sciences to physical sciences and more, there are experiences that pertain to all interest levels. Parent volunteers in Grayson County recently approached the agent about a 4-H SET Club, led by them and assisted by the agent as needed. The Club began in th
Full Story
"Find Your Yes Day" – The Ultimate Field Trip for Franklin County Youth
Author: MacKenzie Preece
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
"Find Your Yes Day" – The Ultimate Field Trip for Franklin County YouthDescribe the Issue or Situation: Franklin County youth face a growing need for healthy, positive engagement during out-of-school hours. Many students are unaware of the wide variety of extracurricular activities available to them locally, which could help them build skills, connect with peers, and stay out of trouble. Ensuring students have access to enriching opportunities and the support of caring adults is
Full Story
Creative Technology at William Wells Brown Elementary
Author: Genaea Sarantakos
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
Fayette County 4-H established a relationship with William Wells Brown Elementary in 2023 with 4th grade instructors and the 21st Century Coordinator. For the past year we have been providing hands-on learning experiences in STEM to target this Title I school and community’s needs.Title I is a federal program that supports schools in FCPS that are above 50% free/reduced lunch status. The funds help increase family engagement and provide extra instructional services and
Full Story
Transportation Industry Professionals to Develop Cross Training Programs for Youth
Author: Casey Townsend
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has a high percentage of an aging workforce for skilled positions. According to the 2022 Semi-Annual Report on Female and Minority Employment, 95.14% of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Personnel was a white verses 4.86% being minority. As a pre-requisite to prepare more minorities for careers in the transportation industry, a 2-week residential camp is funded annually by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Federal Highway Administration to enco
Full Story
STEAM After-School Clubs
Author: Rebecca Hayes
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
Describe the Issue or Situation.The Carter County Community Schools Initiative addressed that there are not enough direct after-school programs at school and there isn’t enough community involvement in the development of young people at school. Three of the top 15 priority issues highlighted in the Extension Community Assessment are youth life skills training opportunities, strengthening youth workforce readiness, and strengthening youth-adult or mentorship relationships.Describe the Outre
Full Story
4-H Programming Spreads to All County Schools
Author: Melissa Schenck
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
Expanding the reach of the 4-H program across all area schools in Washington County, Kentucky, provides an excellent opportunity to engage a diverse group of students and foster essential life skills. Washington County is home to 4 public schools, including Washington County High School, North Washington Elementary, and Washington County Elementary, and Washington County Middle, as well as a private K-8th school. These systems serve a student population of over 1,600. By extending the 4-H progra
Full Story
Inspiring Young Scientists Through Hands-On STEM Exploration
Author: Lisa Jones
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
For six weeks, elementary-aged youth engaged in an exciting series of STEM activities designed to foster curiosity and hands-on learning. Using CLOVER, curriculum from a 4-H Learning Platform, we conducted a series of experiments on a variety of topics. Through engaging experiments, they explored concepts such as electric circuits using fruit, Play-Doh, and lights, the science behind butter-making by separating fat in heavy cream, density through household liquids, chemical reactions by creating
Full Story
Young Scientist and Chefs
Author: Chanda Hall
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
Science in the Kitchen is a unique program that allows students to connect their everyday lives to their education experiences. Our goal is to increase their critical thinking skills while utilizing information to answer scientific questions. Many students struggle in the areas of science and math. As a way of alternative learning, Jefferson County 4-H has worked with all 4th and 5th graders at Carter Elementary School, introducing them to kitchen chemistry.As a way to introduc
Full Story
Hydroponics Lessons
Author: Bethany Kirby
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
While traditional gardening is well known, there is a rise in popularity of forms of non-traditional gardening, such as hydroponics. Many youths in this area lack the knowledge and understanding required to partake in non-traditional forms of agriculture. Many are never exposed to anything other than traditional gardening, which limits the amount of youth that may potentially partake in agricultural experiences.On March 26, 2025, Wolfe County 4-H was able to partner with Ms. Hatton, the 7th grad
Full Story
McCracken County 4-H Rocket Club
Author: Rachael Davis
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
We introduced the American Rocketry Challenge to McCracken County High Schoolers in 2024 due to the request for an aerospace engineering-related club. In 2024, we had a total of 20 students from homeschool, public school, and private schools join us in this adventure. They broke up into four teams, and one team qualified to go to the National Finals in The Plains, Virginia. We continued the adventure this year (2025) with a trial run of a middle school team.We had a total of 15 students from hom
Full Story
- Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
- S107 Ag. Science Center North
- Lexington, KY 40546-0091
- +1 (859) 257-4302
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment