Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth Life Skills
Life skills
Reed
Science, Engineering, and Technology
Communications and Expressive Arts
Family and Consumer Science
21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
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. For example, workers who study or are employed in these fields are more likely to apply for, receive, and commercialize patents. 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.
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.
In the United States, only 1/3 of high school seniors are college-ready,
only 1/3 of high school graduates are work-ready
Kentucky Student Transitions - (2016-2017)
College 54.7%
Technical Training 5%
Military 3%
Working 23.4%
Other 13.8%
Kentucky 4-H Seeks met the needs of 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:
Youth will increase stem literacy
Youth will utilize the skills gained to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations;
Youth share the elements of the music, dance, drama and visual arts with their community
Youth will be advocates for the arts
Gainful employment in rewarding careers
Intermediate Outcomes:
Youth will and use new methods or improved technology.
Youth will demonstrate the use of developed life-skills everyday situations
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
Entry into careers of choice
Completion of high school, trade/vocational schools, post-secondary education
Evaluation:
Outcome: Youth plan and implement a Science, Engineering and Technology Project:
Indicator: Youth Complete a Science, Engineering and Technoloy
Method: Program Indicators, Program Surveys
Timeline: August-March of the current school year as scheduled by the teachers
Outcome: Youth plan and implement a communication and expressive arts project (speech, demonstration, drama, photography, etc)
Indicator: Youth complete a communication and expressive arts project
Method: Number of youth who completed a speech or demonstration. (PRACTICE) Number of youth who completed a state fair arts, photography, or other visual arts project. (PRACTICE) Number of youth who completed a drama, music, or dance project. (PRACTICE)
Timeline: annually as requested by community partners and as scheduled by District and State leadership
Outcome: Youth practicing Life Skills
Indicator:
Number of 4-H Members and Participants in College and Career Activities
Number of 4-H Members and Participants completing and using Resume and Interview Skills
Number of 4-H Members and Participants entering the workforce Educational Programs
Number of youth participating in It’s Your Reality and Dollars and Sense
Method: Surveys and in-person conversations
Timeline: Annually as requested by schools and community partners
Audience: 4-H Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Biotechnology
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Agriscience Biotechnology, Science Sleuths
Inputs: Agent In-services, volunteer leaders, school personnel, state specialists
Date: August-March of current school year as scheduled by teacher
Audience: 4-H Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Robotics Afterschool 21st Century
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Junk Drawer Robotics, 4-H Robotics with EV3
Inputs: Agent In-services
Date: August-March of school year as scheduled for 21st Leadership program
Audience: 4-H youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Speeches and Demonstrations, State Fair Projects, Variety Shows, Visual Arts
Content or Curriculum: Public speaking, Communications Curriculum: Module 1, Module 2, Module 3, Portfolio Pathways, Sketchbook Crossroads, KET Toolkit Visual Arts, Photography Level 1: Photography Basics, Photography Level 2: Next Level Photography, Photography Level 3: Mastering Photography, 4-H Filmmaking DVD, Getting Started in Art
Inputs: Extension Personnel, 4-H Council, Teens, Schools, Agent In-services
Date: Annually as scheduled or requested by community partners and schools
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Reality Store, 4-H Dollars and Sense, 4-H Camp Counselor Interviews
Content or Curriculum: It’s Your Reality and World Of Work, Positive Employability
Inputs: Extension personnel, school personnel, community partners
Date: September-May and summer as requested by community partners
Author: Dianna Reed
Major Program: Health
In March of 2020, the Johnson Cooperative Extension Service along with government officials, local leaders, school personnel and community members were challenged to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and offer ways to be of service to our communities and clientele. UK administration worked with state officials to develop guidelines, inform personnel of UK, gubernatorial and CDC directives, and encouraged counties to provide outreach and information to our clientele in a safe manner. To address th
Author: Dianna Reed
Major Program: Natural Resources
In March of 2020, the Johnson Cooperative Extension Service along with government officials, local leaders, school personnel and community members were challenged to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and offer ways to be of service to our communities and clientele. UK administration worked with state officials to develop guidelines, inform personnel of UK, gubernatorial and CDC directives and encouraged counties to provide outreach and information to our clientele in a safe manner. To address thi
Author: Dianna Reed
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the County Extension Council, 4-H Program Council, local volunteers and Extension personnel were tasked with continuing to provide resources and programs to assist our communities. The 4-H Youth Development Agent spoke to local schools and community members to ask what the issues were affecting our families. Some of the main topics that came up in conversations numerous times were youth and family stress levels, the feeling of being disconnected socially, stress, an
Author: Dianna Reed
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the County Extension Council, 4-H Program Council, local volunteers and Extension personnel were tasked with continuing to provide resources and programs to assist our communities. The 4-H Youth Development Agent spoke to local schools and community members to develop online programs that would teach life skills in a virtual format. As a result, the 4-H Reality Store (a career exploration and financial planning program) was converted to an online format. This progra
Author: Dianna Reed
Major Program: Leadership
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the County Extension Council, 4-H Program Council, local volunteers and Extension personnel were tasked with continuing to provide resources and programs to assist our communities. The 4-H State Special Projects Co-ordinator spoke to County 4-H Extension Agents, youth and community members to develop an online Issues Leadership Conference program to help our youth stay engaged, learn the civic process for community issues and continue to develop their leadership ski
