Describe the Issue or Situation.

The Carter County Community Schools Initiative addressed that there are not enough direct after-school programs at school and there isn’t enough community involvement in the development of young people at school. Three of the top 15 priority issues highlighted in the Extension Community Assessment are youth life skills training opportunities, strengthening youth workforce readiness, and strengthening youth-adult or mentorship relationships.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

Partnering with the Carter County School Board for their Community Schools Initiative to provide after-school STEAM clubs in two elementary schools for the 4^th and 5^th graders. The club meets once a month, directly after school. Some topics covered are building with Lego and blocks to meet specific criteria and chemical reactions.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

27 youth in the 4^th and 5^th grades

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

Improve knowledge of the County 4-H program.

Improve partnership between the school administration and 4-H Agent.

Lessons learned by the youth:

1. Problem-solving
2. Teamwork
3. Communication
4. Hands-on learning
5. Learn through play
6. Chemical reactions
7. Engineering concepts
8. The careers associated with what they learn each month

This also provides an additional positive youth-adult relationship to form with the 4-H Agent coming in.