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 a number of 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.”

Through 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology, youth are engaged in Scientific Inquiry as well as the Engineering Design Process. This program not only helps youth understand content but also encourages them to do so through hands-on learning practices. Over the past year, the Kentucky 4-H SET program, through the efforts of volunteers and 4-H Professionals have worked to increase STEM related programming to all audiences. Through educational programming such as the 4-H National Youth Science Day, Aerospace, Biotechnology, Electricity, Geospatial Technology and Robotics, Kentucky 4-H SET programs have reached over 93,000 Youth and over 5,000 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 third year (2017-18), this Board was made up of 9 youth and 2 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 to develop high quality STEM opportunities for KY 4-H youth as well as other youth and adults throughout the Commonwealth at event such as Kentucky 4-H Summit, 4-H Teen Conference, Maker Faires and Community Events.

County 4-H Programs are constantly providing Positive Youth Development experiences to enhance life skills for participating youth. These skills will not only help them in relation to STEM fields, but also allow them to make better, more analytical decisions in all aspects of their lives.

Examples of this type of skill development come from many parts of the Commonwealth. 

Woodford County 4-H (Ryan Farley):

“Encouraging interest in STEM-related topics is a driving force behind many Woodford County 4-H opportunities. Included in this is the 4-H Lego Robotics club, which began practicing in January to prepare for the District 4 4-H Lego Robotics Competition held at Woodford County Middle School on Saturday, April 21^st. Over 40 youth from four counties, including Woodford, Estill, Madison and Clark, spent the day competing against each other during this culminating event for many 4-H Robotics Clubs. Participants were tasked with two challenges, each requiring the 4-H’ers to develop, plan, build and program their robot in order to successfully complete each task and earn points. Competition participants were surveyed at the end of the day on their experiences with 4-H Lego Robotics. Of those 4-H’ers who responded, 53% reported that they were more interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, 65% reported that they got better at problem solving, 79% reported that they learned to work with their teammates and 84% reported that they made at least one new friend, all because of their participating in 4-H Lego Robotics. In addition, 25% of the participants reported that they do not participate in other 4-H activities outside of 4-H Lego Robotics, highlighting that incorporating STEM-based opportunities into a county 4-H program helps reach youth who may not necessarily gravitate towards more traditional 4-H programming.”

Johnson County 4-H (Dianna Reed):

“The Johnson County Extension Council identified offering local options for acquiring life skills in the area of Science, Technology and Engineering as a program priority for the 2017-2018 Plan of Work. To address this need, local schools, teachers and extension personnel worked together to provide an opportunity for local students to attend the 4-H Biotechnology Workshop. This was a free workshop hosted at the Johnson County Extension Office and was designed to encourage youth to learn about careers in science and to give them hands-on science learning experiences. In attendance were 40 youth participants, 3 teachers, the 4-H Program Assistant and the County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Education. Participants arrived and were given a pre-survey to gauge existing knowledge of the science careers and terms that would be covered in the all day workshop. Next biotechnology activities were conducted in the areas of fingerprinting, DNA module building, Criminal case solution, Gene and Traits, and DNA extraction processing. Discussion occurred during the various activities about what kind of careers were associated with biotechnology and other science related fields. At the end of the day, the survey was re-administered to collect information on what was learned from student participation in the workshop. The pre-survey average of 50% existing knowledge was increased to a post survey average of 74% for a 24% increase in knowledge. Also, on the pre-survey no one scored 100% and on the post-survey 12 participants obtained a 100% score. In our closing discussion, around half of the participants indicated they would be interested in pursuing a career in Science, Engineering or Technology. The program met the objective of offering local options for acquiring life skills in the area of Science, Technology and Engineering and has been requested again for next year.”

Caldwell County 4-H (Rhonda Jewell):

“The KY 4-H Program offers many opportunities for youth ages 9-18 to learn new things, meet new people, and develop essential skills that they will continue to use throughout life.   Participation in 4-H programs can also open many doors for youth that they may not have had otherwise. Many young people don’t see the value in 4-H and miss out on some wonderful learning experiences.  Every now and then, there is a 4-H’er that takes every opportunity to participate in activities, or they are encouraged by their parents to so.  Over the past nine years there has been one young man in Caldwell County that has participated in various 4-H events and activities and he will be the first to say that his mother “made him do it”, but he is forever grateful to her.  He now sees the difference 4-H has made in his life. Of all the 4-H events and activities he participated in none had as much impact as 4-H Aerospace Camp.  He attended for the first time in 6^th grade and was hooked. He participated every year following until he was a high school senior, earning flight hours along the way.  This opportunity sparked a passion and a dream of becoming pilot. He now attends college at Eastern Kentucky University and is in the flight program where he will graduate with his commercial pilot license.  This young man never realized that while he was having fun, meeting new people and learning new things that he was also choosing a career path.”

There are many other examples of the positive influence of the 4-H SET Project Area on Kentucky youth. As interest continues to grow, Kentucky 4-H will continue to prepare our next generation with the skills needed to not only survive, but to thrive.