The problem

The 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 response

4-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 learning in the classroom. This introduced 4-H to students, families, and school staff. The students learned what 4-H had to offer, were able to sign up for monthly newsletters, and received information about 4-H programs that happen outside of the school day. They were able to receive hands on learning that directly correlated to the science standards. This provides the students with activities that teachers and school officials may not be able to fund or have the knowledge to provide.

The participants/target audience

The participants and target audience are the 6 elementary schools of 4^th graders and 2 of those schools also did 5^th graders. This was a total of 400 students and 6 teachers. 

Other partners (if applicable)

The other partners of this program are all 6 of the Carter County Elementary Schools. I worked with the principals and 4^th and 5^th grade science teachers. 

Program impact or participant response.

The program impacts are that there was a 40% enrollment increase from the year before. There is also representation from all elementary schools signed up for 2024 4-H Summer Camp, which is a first since before 2020. Since school enrichment started in 2021, it has grown from being at only one of the elementary schools to all 6 of the schools in 3 years.