Author: Erica Spurgeon
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
One of the greatest aspects of the 4-H program is the plethora of ways that programs can be provided. Agents can reach youth via clubs, school enrichment, camps, and many more avenues. Pulaski County 4-H agents, Erica Spurgeon and Jennifer Cole, have found one of the best ways to engage youth in their county is through specialized day camps.During the summer of 2022, Pulaski County held a total of eight unique day camps. Topics included Beginner Cooking, Poultry BBQ Contest, Art, Cloverbud, Envi
Author: Julia Wilson
In the fall of 2022, the 4-H Agent met with a representative from Thoroughbred Solar, a company building a solar farm in Hart County. The objective of this meeting was twofold: to gain insights into the upcoming solar farm project and to establish a collaborative partnership between the company and the 4-H ProgrThe 4-H Agent secured a substantial $5000 donation dedicated to the establishment of a new Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) program in Hart Co
Author: Timothy Stombaugh
Significant changes have been made recently to vehicle engine technology and alternative fuel availability. This program gave 4-H students the opportunity to explore the impact of engine technology and alternative fuels on engine performance and emissions. Students used modern dynamometer and emissions instrumentation to measure power and emissions output of different engines operating on several different alternative fuels.
Author: Lena Mallory
Reaching youth to teach life skills is the cornerstone of 4-H programs! Youth participate in 4-H programs through schools, community and project clubs, day camps/workshops, and residential camps/conferences. These are your traditional avenues for youth participation, but there are exceptions and youth audiences we tend to not think of. The Purchase Youth Village (PYV) is a Level II Juvenile Psychiatric Treatment Facility located in Marshall County. The facility offers psyc
Author: Tyrone Gentry
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is important for our youth to be successful in an ever-increasing technological society. Almost every aspect of our life is influenced, controlled, or made easier (or harder) by a STEM advancement. Some of the fastest and most profitable jobs are STEM-based; the grease monkey of the early automobiles would be hard-pressed to diagnose car problems today without the aid and knowledge of computer-based tools. STEM teaches youth to
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 scienti
According to the California University of Pennsylvania “Drone Careers” web page, “The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International predicts that there will be more than 100,000 new jobs in unmanned aircraft and drone technology by 2025, and the global market for commercial applications of drone technology is expected to reach $127 million by 2020.” Some of the existing job opportunities Include Agriculture (farm and crop scouting, crop mapping), Business a
Author: Elizabeth Easley
The Problem:According to the Kentucky Department of Education, in 2021 on average, 51% of elementary students tested at below proficient in science in most Laurel County elementary schools. As youth move to middle school, only 63% of students tested below proficient, and in high school 88% of students tested below proficient in science. Today's youth need Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) exposure and experiences to help them build critical thinking skills and build foundational kno
Author: Brian Walker
The 4-H Youth Development team had there annual S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Camp this summer that targeted suburban/rural elementary age students. This was an incredible success, leaving a lasting impact on the 19 youth who were able to attend the camp. The overall goal of the camp was aimed to provide a fun and educational environment where children could explore various STEAM disciplines and develop their skills and interests. The program was desig
Author: Lawrence Caudle
The year started off great with a new group that wanted to do programming at the Rosenwald 4-H Youth Development Center. Being a first for both the 4-H Team and the Homeschool group, The Homeschool Groups have always gotten together to do programming at a different location. The parents wanted to try something new and give their children the opportunity to do things that they couldn't provide at the time. This partnership all started at the Farmer's Market where the Homeschool Group lead
The Kentucky State University 4-H STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Camp conducted for suburban/rural elementary age students was an incredible success, leaving a lasting impact on the 19 youth who participated. The camp aimed to provide a fun and educational environment where children could explore various STEAM disciplines and develop their skills and interests. The 4-H team designed a well-rounded program that incorporated hands-on activities, interactive le
Author: Casey Townsend
Hardin County, KY has a 11.7% poverty rate and 81.9% of households have broadband service. 24.9% of the population are under 18 years of age out of the 111, 862 people that reside there. There is a 18.1% chance of a digital divide existing among the children in the community. To combat this issue, the Kentucky State University 4-H Team and Hardin County Family and Consumer Science Agent planned a STEM Day Camp with 15 youth participants from Hilltop Community Center. Ages 9-15
Author: Chelsea Walling
Introducing youth to aquaculture products has potential to promote healthier eating choices and develop lasting culinary skills. Kentucky State University Aquaculture provides k-12 aquaculture and aquaponics extension programming to schools throughout the state. Locust Trace AgriScience Center in Lexington, Kentucky participates in the KSU “Aquaponics in the Classroom” curriculum and also has an 800-gallon recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) in their greenhouse. Agriculture teache
Author: Patrice Thompson
Kentucky State University’s 4-H Youth Development program held the 2023 4-H Ignite Conference on April 21st. The conference drew in 100 middle school youth participants, 40 volunteers, 10 chaperones, and 10 extension staff members. During the conference, the participants got the opportunity to participate in 3 of the 6 available workshops of their choosing. One of the workshops offered was a workshop based on S.T.E.M., which was led by 6 of the S.T.E.M. department college students and thei
Author: Dianna Reed
The Johnson County CEC and Adult 4-H Council identified Youth Life Skill Development as a program priority in the 4-year Plan of Work. To address this need, the 4-H Agent, Extension personnel and 4-H Council expanded School 4-H Club electricity programs to create a Family Summer Series of SET Fun Days to help youth ages 9-18 develop and practice life skills. They learned about power sources, current, conductors, and the jobs of a circuit. As a result, 7 people learned and practiced making circui
Author: Tyler London
The problem and the educational program responseMany kids today are uneducated on the subject of drones and what they do for us. There are hundreds of uses for drones and not many people know what they can be used for. The drone industry is a growing field, especially in the agriculture sector. There will be many job availabilities in the future within this industry, so making sure the upcoming workforce is aware of these opportunities is important.The participants/target audienceThe participant
Author: Louis Milligan
Layne Elementary School is a school located in southwest Jefferson County with 65% of the students on free and reduced lunch, only 35% students are on their proper reading level and 61% live below the poverty line.Jefferson County 4-H Agent Louis Milligan and the 2nd Grade teachers met to discuss 4-H programming being implemented in their classrooms. After several meetings and discussions the team chose Robotics and CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) as their programs of choice. The Third Gra
