Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Brian Walker
Planning Unit: KSU Administration
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
In today's world, you can't have agriculture without STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and educators at Kentucky State University's Rosenwald 4-H Youth Development Center are teaching just that. My name is Brian Walker, a 4-H extension assistant, at the center, this success story come from the State Journal in Frankfort, KY. Brian said his favorite part of the job is teaching children how robots are utilized in agriculture. 4-H is part of the Cooperative Extension Program, an outreach of Kentucky State University. It is for youth ages 5-18. At the center there are tons of unique things to do, one of those things is having the robots and then being able to code those robots to do functions that can be used in agriculture," Walker said. He had one of his groups use a drone that was used for harvesting crops that went on top of a robot. "We teach them to think outside the box and to think of things we can be doing that are unique and different. "Thinking outside of the box is used in every area offered at the center.
During a tour of the facility led by Walker, he pointed out the multipurpose room, which is used for a variety of programming including cooking classes, health and wellbeing and live stage performances that promote public speaking. There are two unique STEM labs. One is used for STEM education, 3D printing, teaching renewable energy and more, while the other is used for teaching robotics and how to use drones. There is also a flight simulator used to teach students how to fly. Walker said during that course, the high school students will fly real airplanes. "(The simulator) taught me how to take off," Walker said. "I didn't land the plane. I left that to professionals. "Walker also pointed out a media room where students learn video production and editing, broadcasting, DJing, photography and podcasting. "We have them make PSA announcements," Walker said. "The youth need practice with public speaking. DJing can help to spark interest in public speaking." There is also an art room filled with natural light and beautiful artwork done by children. Across the hall is the Living Science room where they teach environmental education. In the room is a Harmony Aquaponic System that teaches about aquaponics, which involves growing fish and plants in the same environment. Walker also pointed out a smaller scale aquaponics system that Second Street School students are using to learn about the process. Walker said there are a lot of partnerships and collaborations that go on to make the 4-H center operate. Locally, he partners with Second Street School, Bridging the Gap, The Kings Center, Capital Day School, Bondurant Middle School, Paul Sawyier Public Library and more to provide 4-H education to students. Besides a few staff members, most of his educators are volunteers or Kentucky State University students and staff. Walker said they also collaborate with the University of Kentucky extension services. "4-H is volunteer based," Walker said. "I’m not an expert in all of this stuff. We have been working the last year or two to build relationships. We need relationships to get people to come."
Most of the programming is geared toward school groups, homeschool groups and other organizations. However, this year for the first time, Walker said they have added after school clubs to the programming. Clubs being offered are STEM, animation and digital/video production, cooking, virtual reality, environmental science club, photography and a bike club. During the summer, the 4-H center offers a variety of camps, including two residential camps that are application based and open to students nationwide. Those camps are the AgDiscovery-Veterinary Science Camp and the Summer Transportation Institute Camp. Other camps include 4-H Clover Buds Camp, Robotics Science Camp, STEM Camp, Creative Arts Camp and Cooking Camp. Walker said 4-H's main philosophy is to "build outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today's global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults ... The 4-H goal is to provide hands-on, experimental based educational programs ... "Walker is proud of the work he is doing and excited to offer these opportunities to youth. "I didn’t have these opportunities growing up," Walker said. "I am from Detroit. I didn’t have an opportunity for 4-H. I heard about it, but never knew that it was all of this. "And, that's a stigma he is trying to overcome. "I'm on national committee where we are trying to explain and offer a clear understanding of what all 4-H offers," he said. "We offer a lot of agriculture related things, but we also incorporate technology with agriculture."
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