The University of Kentucky’s 4-H Youth Development Program in Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) is helping young Kentuckians build the skills, confidence, and curiosity needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Through a statewide network of educators, volunteers, and community partners, the program delivers high-quality, hands-on STEM education that is both practical and engaging.

At its core, the 4-H SET program promotes scientific literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving through experiential learning. Youth participate in activities such as robotics, environmental science, aerospace, engineering design, and computer science—often using the scientific method and engineering design process to tackle real-world challenges. These experiences also help youth develop important life skills like teamwork, communication, and perseverance.

Over the past year, Kentucky 4-H SET has made a significant impact across the state:

• 25,268 youth (ages 5–18) engaged in SET 4-H programming
• 1,732 adult volunteers (ages 19+) contributed to SET 4-H programming
• 14,082 total hours contributed by volunteers and educators
• 75,439 contacts made with local stakeholders
• 204 hours dedicated to multistate collaborative efforts
• 3,177 total volunteers engaged in SET-related initiatives

These numbers reflect the program’s growing reach and the dedication of its community.

Success story written utilizing information from statewide impact data, Microsoft Copilot utilized in generating report.