Nelson County CES

Title:

Providing Positive Youth Development Opportunities for the Youth of Nelson County

MAP:

4-H Youth Discovery, Life Education & Positive Development

Agents Involved:

Howard

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Science, Engineering, and Technology

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Camping

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Communications and Expressive Arts

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Family and Consumer Science

Situation:

In the fall of 2018, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service began a statewide assessment of community issues and priorities from across the Commonwealth. County Extension offices led the effort by collecting feedback from various county residents, stakeholders, and organizations. Each county collected feedback through surveys, focus groups, and interviews with community stakeholders. In Nelson County, 469 respondents ranked 62 community issues on a scale of “very important” to “not important.”

One of the top priorities identified in the children and families category was a need for activities youth of all ages and more youth life skills training (money management, life decision making, etc.).  Nelson County 4-H Provides a wide range of positive youth development opportunities within our county, and the 4-H advisory council has consistently recognized a need for focus on STEM, Camping, Communications and FCS program areas. 

SET

 According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 2017 STEM Jobs Update, Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workers help drive our nation’s innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas and new companies.  STEM knowledge also has other benefits; while often very specialized, it can be transferred to a wide variety of careers, particularly management occupations, while increased technology in the workplace means that, to handle non-repetitive tasks, workers need the critical thinking and technical skills that come with STEM training.  In the United States, there were nearly 8.6 million STEM jobs in 2015, an increase of 10.5% from 2009 while non-STEM occupations grew only 5.2% in that same period. (Fayer, 2017) and STEM occupations are projected to grow by 8.9 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared to 6.4 percent growth for non-STEM occupations (Noonan, 2017).  Keeping these opportunities in mind, the Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase STEM literacy among youth in Kentucky to help fill the need for a diverse pool of STEM literate individuals to meet expanding job opportunities. Kentucky 4-H provides SET education opportunities by engaging youth in hands-on, interdisciplinary educational experiences that foster an increased understanding and appreciation Science, Technology, Engineering and Applied Mathematics. Programs and projects are offered in the areas of aerospace, biotechnology, computer science, energy and electricity, robotics, physical sciences and petroleum power.

4-H Camping

Nelson County 4-H has had generations of 4-Hers participate in their 4-H camping program. The mission of Kentucky 4-H Camping is to improve people through intentional life skill development. In Nelson County, summer educational and social program opportunities are limited in comparison to neighboring urban communities.  Although many churches host camps and bible schools and there are some sports camps, there are fewer summer programs available to our youth.  The Nelson County 4-H camping program seeks to provide youth with a safe opportunity to learn life skills, create meaningful relationships with pees and volunteers, to learn new skills and to give back to their communities through service learning. 

Communications and Expressive Arts

Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky.  The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader.  Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communication & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capacities.  This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006) Research also shows a positive association between arts participation and a number of desirable academic and social outcomes, such as school grades, test scores, enrollment in post-secondary education, attainment of a bachelor’s degree, and higher levels of literacy and civic engagement. (Child Trends, 2012) Kentucky 4-H provides communication and expressive arts by engaging youth in hands-on educational experiences that inspire confidence and foster a love for the arts.  Programs and projects are offered in the areas of public speaking, visual arts, and performing arts.

Family and Consumer Science

As we progress in to the 21^st century a number of factors have gained prevalence within Family and Consumer Science driven by the increase of online and mobile shopping, the rise of video based at home tutorials, and the shifting family structures as evident by 17% of stay-at-home parents being fathers. The ever changing landscape of the family and the consumer highlights the need for a responsive and innovative FCS program while also providing the basic needs that all families have as they navigate lives many challenges. Kentucky 4-H Seeks to meet these needs through working with youth and families in a variety of situations to increase their consumer awareness, financial management, nutrition, culinary arts, textiles, housing, and human development.

Long-Term Outcomes:

4-H STEM Youth will increase STEM literacy in the general population Youth will innovate in addressing social problems and situations using STEM Youth will increase the number and diversity of individuals pursuing educational opportunities and careers in STEM related fields Youth will increase and diversify the pool of trained STEM educators and employees. Youth will utilize the skills gained to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations; 4-H Camping Youth will use skills learned in the camping program to serve as volunteers or staff in the Kentucky 4-H Camping program. Youth will seek job opportunities in fields of interest discovered through the camping program.  4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Youth share the elements of the music, dance, drama and visual arts with their community Youth will be advocates for the arts Family and Consumer Science Be responsible and contributing individuals and family members Gain and maintain employment through life skill development Contribute to a safe and healthy home and community.

Intermediate Outcomes:

4-H STEM

• Youth will apply STEM learning skills in contexts outside the 4-H Program e.g., school classes, science fairs, invention contests etc.)
• Youth will and use new methods or improved technology.
• Youth will demonstrate the use of developed life-skills everyday situations.
• Youth will express interest and/or demonstrate aspirations toward STEM Careers.
• Youth will raise questions and identify problem to be addressed using STEM.

4-H Camping

• Youth will demonstrate independence by successfully complete a week of 4-H overnight camp.
• Youth will complete a 4-H Service learning project.
• Youth will indicate a desire to attend camp again next year. 
• Youth will indicate that they mastered a new skill while at camp.

4-H Communications and Expressive Arts

• Youth will construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing
• Youth will demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups
• Youth apply elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts in creating and performing

Family and Consumer Science

• Utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations 
• Project a positive image and self-confidence 
• Practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making 
• Practice healthy eating choices 
• Make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results 
• Adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employ-ability in the future 

Initial Outcomes:

4-H STEM

• Youth will be engaged in STEM related activities.
• Youth will have an improved attitude toward STEM related subjects.
• Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communications, and leadership.
• Youth will increase their awareness of opportunities to contribute their STEM skills to society.

4-H Camping

• Youth will indicate that they meet a least one caring and positive adult during camp.
• Youth will indicate an increased amount of physical activity while at camp. 
• Youth will indicate learning at least one new skill while at camp.

4-H Communications and Expressive Arts

• Youth will gain knowledge in researching, preparing and presenting a speech or demonstration
• Youth can identify key elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts

Family and Consumer Science

• Gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs 
• Understand the decision-making process 
• Gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action 
• Learn to read and follow instructions 

Evaluation:

Outcome to be Evaluated:

• Initial:Youth who indicate increased skills and knowledge within the areas of SET, Camp, Communication and Expressive Arts, FCS.
• Intermediate: Youth who engage in project Work for the respective area (SET, Camp, Communication and Expressive Arts, FCS)
• Long-term:Youth taking leadership roles at the community and state level in the areas of SET, Camp, Communication and Expressive Arts, FCS. Adults who indicate 4-H participation helped them gain skills for their career of choice.

Indicator of Success for Outcome:

• Youth complete a Project, or contest, in the respective area (SET, Camp, Communication and Expressive Arts, FCS)

Method of Evaluation:

• 4-H Common Measures Survey Post Test, Observation and Participant Feedback

Timeline:

• Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth of Nelson County and 4-H members

Project or Activity: 4-H SET Programs: Schools Enrichment, 4-H NYSD, Robotics Club, Electricity Programs, Physics Zoo

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H SET Core Curriculum Resources

Inputs: Program materials, meeting space, volunteers

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Youth of Nelson County and 4-H members

Project or Activity: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts: Public Speaking, Visual Arts

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum Resources

Inputs: Program materials, judges, volunteers, meeting, contest space, incentive items.

Date: Holiday Card Contest- Nov., Written Communications Contest- January, Poster Contest- March, Communications Contest- April, State Communications Day- July.

Audience: Youth and Volunteers of Nelson County

Project or Activity: 4-H Camping Program, Summer and Specialty Camps

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Camping Curriculum Resources

Inputs: Sponsorship, program materials, volunteers, training, camp facilities

Date: Date varies for each camping experience

Audience: Youth of Nelson County and 4-H Members

Project or Activity: School Enrichment, Cooking Club, day camps that feature FCS curriculum

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H FCS Core Curriculum Resources

Inputs: Program materials, meeting space, volunteers

Date: Ongoing

Success Stories