Adair County CES

Title:

Developing Youth Into Productive Citizens

MAP:

Youth Development

Agents Involved:

Tony Rose, Nick Roy, Dylan Gentry

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Health & Wellbeing

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Science, Engineering, and Technology

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Communications & Expressive Arts

Situation:

Today’s youth spend less time outdoors than previous generations (Clemonts, 2004; Karsten, 2005; Carver et al., 2008) and are likely able to identify a Pokémon character more easily than a native plant or animal (Balmford et al., 2002). Kentucky 4-H provides environmental education opportunities by engaging youth in hands-on, interdisciplinary educational experiences that foster an increased understanding and appreciation for natural resources and environmental sciences. Programs and projects are offered in the areas of environmental science, entomology, forestry and wood science, geology, soils, water, wildlife, and shooting sports.

Healthy living is one of three 4-H mission mandates and encompasses physical activity, personal safety, mental health, addiction prevention, and diversity and inclusion.  In Kentucky, 37% of youth 10-17 are overweight or obese, and 51% report not exercising regularly. 25% of youth report some form of the 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). Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health disease can affect anyone, with 1,160 reported opioid-involved deaths (a rate of 27.9 deaths per 100,000 persons) in Kentucky and Vaping nearly doubled among middle and high school students — with 27% of high school seniors reporting they had tried the product in 2018.

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. 

The development of communication skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member, and a leader.  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.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

The youth will make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration. 

Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits.

Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress.

The youth will innovate in addressing social problems and situations using STEM.

Youth will increase STEM literacy in the general population.

Youth will utilize the skills gained to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H natural resources and environmental projects and clubs, and life situations. 

Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle. 

Youth will apply STEM learning skills in contexts outside the 4-H Program.

Youth will demonstrate the use of developed life-skills everyday situations.

The youth will construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body, and closing.

The youth will demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.

Improved awareness of health concerns for youth.

Improved education about diversity and Inclusion.

Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communications and leadership.

The youth will have an improved attitude toward STEM-related subjects.

Youth will gain knowledge in researching, preparing, and presenting a speech or demonstration.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth complete project work in a specific project area.

Indicator: Number of youth who complete communications, STEM, natural resources, or health project area.

Method: Common Measures Survey

Timeline: July-June

Intermediate Outcome:  Youth gain an understanding of STEM, natural resources, communications or health systems and how they work

Indicator:  Number of youth who can show increased knowledge in the above areas.

Method: Common Measures Survey

Timeline: July-June

Long-term Outcome: Youth will develop into competent, capable leaders.

Indicator: Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” 

Method: Common Measures Survey

Timeline: July-June

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Dollars and Sense
Content or Curriculum: Dollars and Sense
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, School Officials, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Communications programs
Content or Curriculum: State Communications Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, School Officials, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: Reality Store Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, School Officials, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Truth and Consequences Program
Content or Curriculum: State-supported Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, School Officials, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Project or Activity: 4-H After School Programs
Content or Curriculum: State-supported curriculum, 4-H Project materials
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, School Officials, Community Leaders, Youth Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Project or Activity: Clover Buds
Content or Curriculum: State-supported Clover Bud Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Leaders, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Project or Activity: Project Workshops
Content or Curriculum: State-supported curriculum, 4-H Project books
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Leaders, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Project or Activity: Shooting Sports
Content or curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Leaders, Community Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: day resident camp - 4-H Camp curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Leaders, Parents, Office Staff
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: SET Club
Content or Curriculum: State-Approved SET Curriculum
Inputs: Volunteer Leaders, Youth Leaders, Community Leaders, School personal
Date: July 2024-June 2025

Success Stories