Author: Kindra Jones
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
The Grayson County 4-H Agent has increased school program reach throughout the counties four elementary schools. Positive youth programming spans primarily from grades second through fifth grades, with an occasional Kindergarten group. The opportunities to reach so many youths throughout these grades have increased program and club participation as well as the significant increase in youth attending 4-H camp each year. The agent has created a rapport with the youth at the schools, as well as the
Author: Toni Humble
3 Wayne County Students went to Disney
Author: Rebecca Hayes
The problemThe problem that the school enrichment clubs are addressing is the low number of 4-H enrollment and attendance at activities. The other main problem is that students and families did not know what 4-H has to offer them. The educational program response4-H has been offered and accepted to provide enrichment in all 6 of the Carter County Elementary Schools. The educational program response was monthly classroom visit to provide enrichment activities to enhance what they are learnin
Author: Jacob Hall
Year after year, we are losing something in society. We, as educators, are losing connections with the children we serve as 4H professionals. We sometimes fail to realize not every child has a prize heifer to show or may not have the agricultural aspect of life that many are blessed to have. However, they do have a mind that is intrigued by technologies that are offered. One of the prime technologies we see today are drones. They are entering into so many markets and offering many new jobs.We pr
Author: Molly Jordan
At the onset of the 2023-2024 academic term, a group of educators from Bracken County High School approached me to contribute to their newly established enrichment initiative. They had observed the success of my after-school welding club and expressed interest in integrating it into their program. Since September 2023, I've been instructing welding sessions once a month, each lasting 20 minutes, for BCHS students.During these sessions, one student demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm for weldi
Author: Genaea Sarantakos
The problemFollowing our December dissection lab, our 4-H community requested more hands- on STEM opportunities for youth to participate in. The educational program responseWith the help of 4 UK Medical School students who expressed interest in volunteering with 4-H, they created and hosted a highly hands-on workshop for youth to explore medical sciences. Youth learned and experienced suturing, how to splint injuries, stop the bleed, and treat burns.The participants/target audience4-H youth
Author: Erica Spurgeon
Pulaski County 4-H introduced a new club to the county in October of 2022. Tractor and Small Engine Club started as a partnership between a local sponsor, Valley Farm Equipment, and our county 4-H program. Valley Farm Equipment has always been willing to lend a hand to sponsor programs or to teach lawn mower and tractor safety during Safety Day events. An employee of Valley Farm Equipment, who is also a 4-H parent, stepped up to volunteer as the club leader. The goal for this club is to prepare
Author: Christina Hogue
4-H Lego Club “Cruises” into the National Corvette Museum The Monroe County 4-H Lego Club is one of the county’s most popular clubs. Although it may not be a traditional club, its uniqueness allows for 4-H’ers to be very creative.Each year, the Lego Club partners with Tompkinsville’s Ace Hardware for a showcase event. 4-H’ers improve communication skills and leadership skills. The success of this partnership caused the club leader to exp
Author: Diane Kelley
Kenton County Cooperative Extension 4-H utilized the results of yearly expansion and review surveys as well as the community assessment survey and established a 4-H STEM club. Club membership has varied from 13 to 8 but a consistent group participates. Members are representative of the Kenton County population and the participants range in age from 9-14 years. The previous teen leader for the club is currently studying pre-medicine and received multiple college scholarships as w
Author: Mary McCarty
Electricity powers our homes and businesses. According to Trade Nations, Careers in the trades span a variety of industries that are all rapidly evolving. With technology, communication, transportation, and energy all changing by the day, tradespeople are some of the most smart and informed professionals in their fields. Careers in the electrical trade can provide students with a strong set of skills. 7th graders at Menifee Central participate in the new 4-H program during
Author: Victoria Riehemann
Kentucky is facing a shortage of people to fill technology careers and related fields. There is a need to have trained scientists to solve problems and educate others on issues that are rising, and have a knowledgeable workforce to operate, service, and maintain advancements in robotic manufacturing and production technology. In these fields of technology, women and minorities have been under-represented as holding these careers. According to the Community Assessment Report (2019) for Bullitt Co
The Master Builder Aferschool SPIN Club has brought many things to the Bracken County 4-H Program. Not only has this club brought several new faces to 4-H it also engages participants in ways other clubs cannot. The use of Legos in educational settings enriches students in various ways, fostering creativity, collaboration, problem-solving skills, and a passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects. Lego activities are hands-on and provide a tangible way for studen
The problem: 4th grade teachers expressed interest in cow eye dissection to help solidify the following Core Content Standards:4-LS1-2. Use a model to describe that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brains, and respond to the information in different ways. Emphasis is on systems of information transfer.4-PS4-2. Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen. Exa
Author: Rusty Wolf
The problemAccording to the US Bureau of labor and statistics agriculture is the most dangerous sector in America with around 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Petroleum power portion of 4-H SET curriculum has long been underused in this county and this was a trial run of the interest with the youth in our county.The educational program responseIt is important for extension to install proper farm safety practices at a young age in our traditional agricultural audience. For this program I pa
Author: Lloyd Saylor
The problemAs adults we see the world as large and complicated. We've had experiences, traveled, lived. Our youth often only see the world around them. While the world of electronic screens is not seen as real. Classes in school, in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, are just that "Classes" to many youth. The practical use of, and the opportunities incumbent in these areas of study are not yet real to many 4-Hers. How to teach youth the very practical uses of S
Author: Dora Centers
4-H and KYFB Agri Science Fair First year for our partnership with Knott Co Farm Bureau for Agri Science Fair. The competition was open to 4th through 8th grades countywide. The categories included Food Science, Nutrition, Environmental, Biological and Engineering Sciences. The county 4-H agent promoted the new program and event by visiting science classrooms at all 7 elementary schools in the county distributing over 1,000 promotional flyers. Knott Co Farm Bu
Author: Brandon Darst
According to Center for Strategic and International Studies,” early STEM education provides the necessary foundation for those pursuing degrees and careers in the field later on. STEM education centers around programs designed to help students gain skills required to succeed in the innovation-focused twenty-first century job market. Typically, this includes critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and digital literacy- all important for future careers. However, many stud
Author: Casey Townsend
Kentucky State University hosted their 2023 Summer Transportation Institute (STI) Camp for high school students on campus. The camp was a two-week residential camp consisting of fourteen students. The KY Transportation Cabinet and Federal Highway Administration sponsored the camp. The students engaged with the Rollover Simulator in action at the Kentucky transportation Cabinet, in addition to science and engineering aspects of the KY Transportation Cabinet Materials Lab. Campers part