McCracken County CES

Title:

McCracken County 4-H Leadership through SET and Skills

MAP:

4-H Youth Development and Education

Agents Involved:

Dodson, Hunter, Davis

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Communications & Expressive Arts

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Science, Engineering, and Technology

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Workforce Preparation – 4-H Youth Development

Situation:

Leadership Facts and Trends:

Kentucky 4-H provides youth opportunities to engage in developmentally appropriate experiences to advance their leadership skills: 

• Youth need opportunities to develop social skills, civic and leadership skills, create strong connections with caring adults, have access to safe places to interact with their peers, and support services to allow them to become more independent adults (Blank, M. J., 2017). 
• Youth need the opportunity to exercise or develop creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration skills (21^st Century Skills, 2009).  
• Youth success is situated around four foundational components: self-regulation, knowledge and skills, mindsets, and values (Nagakoa, et al., 2015). 
• 4-Hers are four times more likely to give back to their communities (Learner, R. M., & Learner, J. V., 2013).
• 4-Hers in grades 6-12 are nearly four times more likely to make contributions to their communities (Learner, R. M., & Learner, J. V., 2013).

Situation: 

Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky 4-H.  The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future.  Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success. 

Basic leadership knowledge & skills are essential for success in almost any field.  The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others.  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.  By assisting the development of leadership skills in today’s youth, we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow (Unlock Your Leadership Potential, University of Florida, 2017). 

Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy).  4-H participants rate their leadership life skills above average, have a positive view of their leadership ability, and have a positive attitude toward diversity and acceptance of others (Locke, Boyd, Fraze, and Howard, 2007).    

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders 
• Community members engage others to initiate projects 
• Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members 
• Communities become more prosperous 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
• You improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
• Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
• Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community 
• Youth are inclusive of all individuals 
• Youth will volunteer and participate in community service 
• Youth will engage in civic involvement 
• Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement 

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
• Youth develop/enhance leadership skills 
• Youth are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global) 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth will use 4-H Development projects to aid them in understanding classroom concepts. Youth will also participate in activities and projects outside of the classroom.

Indicator: Youth report increase in knowledge and skills which will be substantiated by parents and teachers.

Method: Youth will participate in experiential learning activities that reinforce classroom concepts and help youth meet state and local expectations.

Timeline: 4-H program year (August-September)

Intermediate Outcome: Youth master life skills important for them to become productive members of society.

Indicator:  Projects completed and entered into 4-H Fair and other competitions.

Method: Demonstrated Knowledge and competency 

Timeline: 4-H Program Year 

Long-term Outcome: Youth will internalize basic life skills needed for careers and seeking employment 

Indicator: Obtaining employment 

Method: Demonstrating competency and knowledge 

Timeline: +10 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H members and all county youth

Project or Activity: Wide variety of curriculum based on teacher and youth requests for programming.

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Youth Development projects and materials from National 4-H Council.

Inputs: Paid staff and 4-H volunteers will provide teaching for school enrichment activities and after school programs. Classroom teachers will also do lesson follow-up and some presentation of materials when staff and volunteers are unavailable.

Date: 4-H Program Year 

Audience: Robotics Club Members

Project or Activity: Weekly Club Meetings and Lessons

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Robotics Curriculum and SET

Inputs: Volunteers, Grants, Staff, School Teachers, 4-H Agent, Specialists

Date: Winter/Spring

Audience: Rocket Club Members

Project or Activity: Weekly Club Meetings and Lessons

Content or Curriculum: American Rocketry Challenge Curriculum 

Inputs: Volunteers, Grants, 4-H Agent, UK Engineering Department

Date: School Year

Audience: McCracken County After School/In School Clubs

Project or Activity: School Enrichment Programs and 4-H Club Lessons

Content or Curriculum: Various National 4-H Curriculum and Agent Created Curriculum

Inputs: Volunteers, 21 Century Volunteers, Teachers, County 4-H Agents

Date: School Year

Audience: McCracken County 4-H and 21st Century Collaboration Club

Project or Activity: Paducah Tilghman Adulting Club 

Content or Curriculum:  Agent Created Curriculum on Citizenship, Leadership, Diversity and Knowing-Self

Inputs: Volunteer, Teacher, County 4-H Agent

Date: School Year

Audience: McCracken County Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Porch Projects

Content or Curriculum: Agent Created Curriculum

Inputs: Volunteers, Teachers, FRYSC Coordinators, County 4-H Agent

Date: School Year and Summer 

 

Audience: County Teens and 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Teen Conference 

Content or Curriculum: Various National 4-H Curriculum, Agent Created Curriculum 

Inputs: Volunteers, County 4-H Agent, Teen leaders

Date: Summer

Audience: County Teens and 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Issues Conference 

Content or Curriculum: Various National 4-H Curriculum, Agent Created Curriculum 

Inputs: Volunteers, County 4-H Agent, Teen leaders

Date: Winter

Audience: County Teens and 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Teen Summit 

Content or Curriculum: Various National 4-H Curriculum, Agent Created Curriculum 

Inputs: Volunteers, County 4-H Agent, Teen leaders

Date: Spring

Success Stories