Author: Eric Comley
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
In an article written by Dr. Danae Lund for Sanford Health, the exploration of the outdoors by youth and the presence of outdoor play creates five positive long term outcomes. Physically Healthier Children Cognitive and Social / Emotional Development Improve Sensory Skills Increase Attention Spans Grow in Happiness and ImmunityThese five areas were considered in the development and implementation of the Garrard County Creek Day. The program was offered to 25 total
Author: Elijah Wilson
4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. To help fulfill our commitment of empowering young people, Cumberland County 4-H and Pulaski County 4-H have partnered with the Office of Diversity within the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment at the University of Kentucky to establish and charter the Lake Cumberland 4-H Jr. MANRRS chapter. The mission of the MANRRS organization is to promote academ
Author: Rebecca Stahler
4-H members contribute thousands of hours of service to their communities each year, resulting in both benefits to others and growth in the 4-H members. Community service has always been an important part of 4-H youth development. Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) is also a highly desired curriculum from 4-H agents. Combine community service and SET and Boyd County 4-H came up with barometer soup!Boyd County 4-H collaborated with the Ashland Community Kitchen to provide hands
Author: Torey Earle
The following is taken from the Session 7 presentation on SET Abilities during the 2012 4-H Science eAcademy: “Recent research suggests that learning science requires fluency in multiple aspects of conceptual understanding, practices of science, and identification with the scientific community. While 4-H programs have historically emphasized the development of science process skills (which refer to measurable behaviors and transferable abilities reflective of processes involved with s
Author: Alexandria Bryant
As science and technology fields grow in Kentucky, there is a shortage of people to fill these careers. There is a growing need for knowledgeable scientists to identify problems, find solutions, and educate others. Additionally, women are under-represented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) related fields and Marra et al. (2008) found that a gender bias develops during Middle School, leading to disproportionate interest in STEM. In 2013, local Middle School science teachers rea
Author: Chanda Hall
For seven weeks, Jefferson County 4-H opened a plethora of experiences for over 120 inner-city youth. Students learned and practiced coding, by utilizing Ozbots in weekly lessons. For the past two years students have worked with Ozobots using the color-coding method. Ozobots have color sensors which recognize color patterns students draw on paper with markers to control the actions of the robot. The Ozobot will follow a solid black
Author: Brian Walker
This starts out as a summer camp story. This was my first time conducting a summer camp program. The program was a week long event where the students were bused in to our faculity. That great things about this camp was that we had a group of 17 young men from out of a school in Louisville. These young men were excited to be participating in this camp because there were only so many spaces available and the ones that came were chosen to come. During the week adventur
Due to COVID-19 learning was becoming a very diffcult thing to accomplish among children. I was conducting programming for a group online and wanted to do so much more. The person in charged wanted her students to have a STEM week. At first we didn't think we could pull it off becuase COVID was still in effect and things haven't been lifted. I informed my contact that in time things were supposed to change and I told her good things come to those who wait. W
Author: Patrice Thompson
During the pandemic community engagement and collaborations had been temporarily stagnant. OF course, this was due to many community partners uncertainty on collaborative efforts, community/youth programs, and in-person gatherings. This took a major toll on community partners that had already begun programming or inquired about programming in early 2021. In Spring 2021, as the state opened back up, I was able to reconnect at make new partnerships with community partners that already host o
Author: Chelsea Walling
Approximately 25 high-school age students from the AG Discovery program visited KSU's Aquaculture Research Center Tuesday June 8th, 2021. I led these students on a tour of the active research projects taking place at the ARC and I set up an aquatic species dissection demonstration. We talked about aquaponics and its use in urban areas and examined aquatic species utilized for research at the ARC. We discussed the use of genetics research in aquaculture and the importance of providing economi
Author: Aubrey Lawson
“In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.” (National Science Foundation)By exposing students to STEM and giving them opportunities to explore STEM-
Author: Kindra Jones
At the end of the school year 2021, Caneyville Elementary School received school administration permission to invite the Grayson County 4-H Agent for programming with students. The agent was able to schedule lessons for April and May with the 4th and 5th grade classes. Primarily focusing on SET activities, the cow eyeball dissection lesson was done with both grades, as the current 5th grade students missed the opportunity in 2020 due to Covid-19. Additionally with the 4th grade students, the age
Author: Casey Townsend
On June 15, 2021, approximately 12 youth were taught a lesson by a 4-H and Horticulture Agent on pollination using WeDo Lego Robotics and the Campbell County Extension Educator Garden. A series of 2 questions were asked with follow-up statements to measure their comfort levels before the program vs afterwards on a 5 star scale. The youth's comfort level to describe how to code or program a robot was 2.82 stars before vs 4.22 afterwards, their comfort level to describe
Author: Christina A. Martin
During the COVID19 pandemic when schools were shut down to in-person learning, Russell County 4-H provided opportunities for youth to explore different science concepts through the “Science in a Box” program. Science is loved by many youth because it offers a hands-on method of exploring sometimes complex scientific concepts. Over the course of six months, six kits of learning materials on various topics were provided to 19 4-H youth. The youth received learni
Youth continue to build on their skills as Plant Scientists @YLD Brighton Center. 10+ Youth and Program Leader, Yovani Velazquez are doing their thing cleaning the Tower Garden to prepare it for strawberry season. The #StrawberryProject is #inspired by the #youth. Wish us a #happy growing. #4hgrowshere ??
Author: Louis Milligan
Recent research reports that there is a lack of African American Males participating in STEM related programs and activities.Kentucky State University Extension mission is to reach underserved audiences and increase youth participation through STEM Programming. The 4-H program partnered with W.E. B Dubois Academy for Boys to offer a Virtual CSI program to it students. Ms. Paula Cathey a school counselor contact Louis Milligan, 4-H Agent in Jefferson County about the possibility of 4-H offering s
The Family Resource Center Coordinator from Cane Run Elementary contacted Louis Milligan, 4-H Agent in Jefferson Co. about offering a virtual STEM program to her students to help keep her students engaged during COVID. A meeting was scheduled and held with Coordinator Ms. Melissa Escobar to assist with her needs and discuss programs available through 4-H. Both parties decided that robotics would be the most engaging program for the students at Cane Run Elementary.Cane Run Elementary is a f
Author: Alissa Ackerman
As society continues to experience technology advances, it is difficult to imagine a world without everyday computer and phone devices. These conveniences are made possible with the skills and knowledge of individuals behind the scenes in science, engineering and technology career fields. According to County Health Rankings, the unemployment rate for Clay County is 7 percent compared to the statewide rate of 4 percent. Research also indicates that STEM related occupations are on the rise (Fayer,
