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 scientific reasoning), there is movement towards more authentic engagement in scientific and engineering practices, as outlined in the new Framework for K-12 Science Education. Science and engineering are human enterprises. To be scientifically literate, youth need to jointly understand scientific and engineering concepts, be able to engage in scientific and engineering practices, and see themselves as consumers of and contributors to the scientific community. This session introduces several pedagogical frameworks for engaging youth in science and engineering, including 4-H SET Abilities, Exploratorium’s science process skills, and the NGSS scientific and engineering practices.”

In the 2021 – 22 program year, Kentucky 4-H SET programs have reached almost 40,000 Youth and close to 2,300 volunteers.  In addition, Leadership development, career exploration, decision-making skills, youth voice and personal development are important parts of the Kentucky 4-H Youth Development program and are offered through state 4-H Teen Leadership Boards.  In 2015-16, the first Kentucky 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology Leadership Board was organized.  In its seventh year (2021-22), this Board was made up of 13 youth and 3 advisors. The goal of this Board is to develop an educational program that provides youth opportunities to: master technical skills and creative abilities; explore careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; develop leadership abilities and character; build self-confidence; improve public speaking and presentation skills and share knowledge with others.  This year’s SET Leadership Board worked virtually to develop high quality STEM opportunities for KY 4-H youth as well as other youth and adults throughout the Commonwealth and on a National Level at the Virtual National Youth STEM Summit.  Graduates from the SET Leadership Board have gone on to pursue their passions as they further their education in areas such as Mechanical Engineering (4), Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (2), Aviation (commercial pilot – 2), Pre-Veterinary/Vet School, Marine Biology and Computer Science to mention a few.

One of the biggest accomplishments of a recent Board Member comes from 2020 Graduate, Former Board Chair, and 4-year member, Justice White.  Justice is currently an incoming Junior in the Mechanical Engineering Program at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.

In being selected for the SET Leadership Board for the 2016 – 17 Program Year, Justice was a quiet, somewhat shy individual who had a passion for STEM but was not extremely confident in her ability to share that passion with others.  Over the four years she was a member of the Board, Justice grew her ability to not only to share that passion, but to help create opportunities for others to develop that ability as well.  Justice represented Kentucky 4-H at four National Youth STEM Summits held at the National 4-H Conference Center, helping develop and present STEM Programs to an audience of her peers and adults for three of those years. She and her Board Vice-Chair also attended and presented at the National 4-H Computer Science Pathway Grant Training sponsored by Google in Lehi, Utah.  Justice helped to influence countless youth over her Board tenure and found her voice as a leader, advocate, and mentor for the Kentucky 4-H Youth Development program through her SET Board involvement.  

 Her latest accomplishment in being selected as a intern for Rolls Royce North American Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.