Extension
It Starts With Us
Community and Economic Development
Community, Economic, and Leadership Development
Cathy Jansen, Joyce Doyle, Christin Herbst
Positive Employability
Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General
First Impressions
Science, Engineering, and Technology
The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment Statewide Report 2019 indicates that money management for families and youth and employee “soft/essential skills” training continue to be important issues statewide. Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center indicates 85% of job success comes from having well developed soft and people skills, and only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (hard skills). Employers are often prepared to teach technical job skills; however, the intangible skills of being a team player, time management, and positive attitude are difficult to teach on-sight but critical to success.
Carroll County residents are so fortunate to have great industries that supply job opportunities. In order to be hired at these workplaces a person is required to have knowledge in the field of science, technology and engineering. In order to help people get employable, it is important that we add SET activities to our curriculum. Through the Land Grant University and Extension system, 4-H can expand its impact and extend its reach in science, engineering and technology (4-H SET) by adding SET programs. Youth will learn scientific research techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that positively address science, engineering and technology issues in Kentucky and globally providing opportunities for hands-on scientific learning and discovery in 4-H clubs.
- More effective employees and community leaders.
- Improved financial capability for Carroll County residents, results in better quality of life and stronger families.
- Carroll County Youth will:
- Utilize the scientific method to solve problems in their daily life.
- Choose a career path in science, engineering or technology.
- Utilize the scientific method on decision making.
- Increase STEM literacy in the general population.
- Innovate in addressing social problems and situations using STEM.
- Increase the number and diversity of individuals pursuing educational opportunities and careers in STEM related fields.
- Increase the pool of trained STEM educators and employees.
- Practice better employee “soft/essential skills” such as communication, networking, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, etc.
- Improve employability through practical living skills and continued education practices.
- Carroll County Youth will:
- Use and apply the skills gained from 4-H science, engineering and technology.
- Demonstrate and share new abilities in science, engineering and technology with others.
- Practice scientific methods learned in 4-H SET programs.
- Mentor younger 4-Her’s in science engineering and technology programs.
- Apply STEM learning skills in contexts outside the 4-H Program (e.g., school classes, science fairs, invention contests etc.).
- Use new methods or improved technology.
- Demonstrate the use of developed life-skills everyday situations.
- Express interest and/or demonstrate aspirations toward STEM Careers.
- Raise questions and identify problem to be addressed using STEM.
- Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations, to improve employability through work and practical living skills and continuing education practices.
- Carroll County Youth will:
- Increase interest and engagement in 4-H science, engineering and technology.
- Learn new skills in 4-H science, engineering and technology programs.
- Be introduced to careers in science, engineering and technology.
- Participate in science, engineering and technology 4-H programs to acquire new skills.
- Be engaged in STEM related activities.
- Have an improved attitude toward STEM related subjects.
- Develop valuable life-skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communications, and leadership.
- Increase their awareness of opportunities to contribute their STEM skills to society.
Outcome:
Long-term
Indicator:
Decrease in unemployment rate in Carroll County. Increase in youth utilizing the scientific methods to solve problems in their daily life.
Method:
County Statistics. Common Measures Experience Survey.
Timeline:
2 – 4 years
Outcome:
Intermediate
Indicator:
Number of individuals who reported the intent to utilize etiquette practices to improve verbal, written, and electronic communication practices (Communicating Effectively). Number of individuals reporting increased levels of understanding in the area: how to utilize listening cues (nonverbal, quaisverbal, and verbal) in conversation (Listening and Inquiry). Increase in teens mentoring younger youth in SET.
Method:
Pre/Post Evaluation. Follow-up with teen participants.
Timeline:
1 – 1.5 years
Outcome:
Initial
Indicator:
Increase in program participants. Increase in youth gaining knowledge in SET and gain more interest in science.
Method:
Attendance Sheets.
Timeline:
8 months – 2 years
Audience:
Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce
Activity:
10 Soft Skills for Success
Content or Curriculum:
Positive Employability
Inputs:
FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders Date(s):
Fall 2020
Fall 2021
Fall 2022
Fall 2023
Audience:
Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce
Activity:
Conveying Your Message
Content or Curriculum:
Positive Employability
Inputs:
FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and
Date(s):
Fall 2020
Fall 2021
Fall 2022
Fall 2023
Audience:
Working-age adults and young adults preparing for the workforce
Activity:
Networking for Success
Content or Curriculum:
Positive Employability
Inputs:
FCS Agent, curriculum publications and resources, local employers and community leaders
Date(s):
Fall 2020
Fall 2021
Fall 2022
Fall 2023
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
SET Lessons
Content or Curriculum:
SET, Ozobots, Sphero bots
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Extension Staff, Volunteers, Teens, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Robots, Money, Time
Date(s):
October 2020
November 2020
January 2021
February 2021
March 2022
April 2022
October 2023
November 2023
January 2024
February 2024
Audience:
Carroll County Leaders and Residents
Activity:
First Impressions
Content or Curriculum:
First Impressions
Inputs:
Extension Agents, Staff Assistant, CEDIK, Time, Money
Date(s):
2021
2022
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
Entrepreneur Club
Content or Curriculum:
4-H Means Business
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Volunteers, Curriculum, Money, Time
Date(s):
2021
2022
Author: Thomas Mann
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Riverview Farmers’ Market was busy and productive, with many member vendors and a reliable customer base. Like many other community endeavors and small businesses, however, the pandemic brought the success of the market to a grinding halt, with only one or two vendors at best showing up on a given weekend to keep the market alive. When I began my work in Carrollton, I heard again and again from community members that reviving the farmers&rsq
