Developing Youth Into Productive and Contributing Citizens

Developing Youth Into Productive and Contributing CitizensPlan of Work

Back to the Program

Green County CES

Title:

Developing Youth Into Productive and Contributing Citizens

MAP:

Youth Development

Agents Involved:

Tyrone Gentry

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Science, Engineering, and Technology

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Civic Engagement

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Health

Situation:

Preparing youth with diverse skills enhances their academic offerings and creates youth who are better prepared to be leaders, entrepreneurs, and contributors to a better community. 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. Employers look for leadership skills in future employees. Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority. With these pressures upon the youth, many youths struggle with obesity, addiction, and self-esteem. 25% of youth report some form of emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rates are at a record high (KY suicides per 100,000 people: 15.3, 10th highest in the nation). By working closely with schools and communities, Kentucky 4-H Programs can provide experiential, real-world opportunities for 4-H Members, participants, and families to explore and pursue their future options while building their self-esteem and personal confidence.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth will increase STEM literacy in the general population.
Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders.
Successful completion of secondary programs, entry into careers of choice, and acceptance into college programs.
Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in 4-H programs.
Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will and use new methods or improved technology.
Youth will volunteer and participate in community service and civic engagement opportunities.
Youth will make high school planning decisions based upon lifestyle choices and their understanding of cost of living and lifestyle choices.
Youth will increase adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that includes making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior, and handling stress.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communications, and leadership.
Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills.
Youth will be participants in College and Career Educational Programs.
Youth will have an improved awareness of health concerns for youth.
Youth will learn how to raise a garden and grow their own vegetables.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth plan and implement a Science, Engineering and Technology project (e.g., Aerospace, Electricity, Robotic etc.)
Indicator: Number of youth who indicated they are interested in learning more about science, engineering, or technology projects? (KOSA)
Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
Timeline: September and June

Intermediate Outcome: Youth become more engaged as a leader in their community (planning a service project, serving as a mentor, increasing participation in local/state/national levels).
Indicator: Youth serve in a volunteer, leadership role.
Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
Timeline: April, May

Initial Outcome: Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in 4-H programs.
Indicator: Youth will have an increased number of positive assets.
Method: Survey using Search Institute Asset Approach
Timeline: November and March

Initial Outcome: Number of youth who indicated they made healthy lifestyle choices as a result of what they learned through 4-H programming.
Indicator: Youth will make healthy lifestyle choices.
Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
Timeline: September and May

Intermediate Outcome: Number of youth who indicated they can used healthy life skills to make positive changes in their life.
Indicator: Youth will use skills acquired through 4-H to make positive healthy lifestyle choices.
Method: 4-H Common Core Survey
Timeline: September and May

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth in grades Pre-School and Third Grade
Project or Activity: Ag Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventure, KY Farm 2 School, Home Alone, First Aid in Action, SPARK
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Leaders, Schools
Date: September

Audience: 4th-8th grades
Project or Activity: Project Days
Content or Curriculum: Computer Science, Energy, Robotics,
Inputs: Agent, Schools, Parks, project materials
Date: August, September, March, May

Audience: 7th Graders
Project or Activity: Financial Management and Career Planning
Content or Curriculum: Reality Check, World of Work
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Schools, Businesses, Community Leaders, Banks
Date: February

Audience: Youth 4th-12th grades
Project or Activity: Ham Project
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Farms, Local Businesses
Date: January, February, May, August

Audience: Youth 4th-12th grades
Project or Activity: Global Education
Content or Curriculum: Empowering Students to Improve the World in Sixty Lessons (Version 1), 4-H Backpack to Adventure: Youth Leaders in a Global World, WeConnect: A Global Youth Citizenship Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Local Businesses
Date: October, November, January, February

Audience: Youth K-12th grades
Project or Activity: Garden Project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Agricultural Core Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Farms, Local Businesses
Date: March, April, May, June, July, August, September

Success Stories

Club Leaders Spark Member Engagement

Author: Tyrone Gentry

Major Program: Leadership

Young adults can provide many skills in creating successful community programs. Some of their greatest contributions are an abundance of energy, able to view problems in new lights, their ability to relate to younger 4-H members, and an intense desire to contribute back to their community. Green County 4-H sought ways to increase leadership opportunities for high school 4-H members as a way for them to reconnect to their communities and expand the Cooperative Extension Service’s reach in o