4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Initiative

4-H, the nation’s largest nonformal youth education program, has made a commitment to help address youth science literacy needs in the U.S. through its 4-H Science Mission Mandate. This effort seeks to engage youth across the country in out-of-school time science programming that is experientially based, and uses inquiry methods. By offering engaging science programming in nonformal settings, youth are provided with a variety of options that address different learning needs and promote excitement in learning about phenomena in the natural world.

The California 4-H Program, housed at the University of California in the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), has responded to the National 4-H Science Mission Mandate by launching a statewide 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) Initiative. These efforts aim to develop new and strengthen existing programmatic opportunities for California 4-H that align closely with the new UC ANR Strategic Vision 2025 that emphasizes the need for improved science literacy in natural resources, agriculture, and nutrition.

The learning goals of the California 4-H SET Initiative are to improve 4-H members’ understanding of science and help address the critical need for more scientists and engineers in the workforce. The expected outcomes of the initiative are to help youth improve their knowledge and skills around science, engineering, and technology; connect learning with real-world situations where youth can adopt and use new science methods or improved technology to solve problems; and, in the long term, increase the number and diversity of youth pursuing higher education and careers in science, engineering, and technology fields.

Goals of the California 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Initiative

Goal #1: Improve youth science literacy in, and attitudes for, agriculture, natural resources, and nutrition through educational programming that use:

High quality curricula identified and developed based on UC ANR initiatives and supporting National Science Education Standards and California Science Content Standards
Staff, volunteer, teen, and other educators prepared using research-based professional development strategies
Strategies designed to meet the needs of youth audiences
Partners to strengthen programming

Goal #2: Advance the research-base of youth nonformal science education through:

Developing and implementing new 4-H SET programs
Evaluating existing and new 4-H SET programming
Conducting new applied research
Sharing outcomes

Goal #3: Support the first two goals through effective resource development.

4-H SET Programs and Activities Checklist

Flyer: CA 4-H SET Overview

	Experiential Learning Cycle After the activity, the facilitator leads youth through a period of reflection where the learner shares and processes the experience and applies new learning in authentic situations. 4-H SET Experiential Learning 4-H SET Experiential Learning Check-Off List Resources: UC Experiential Learning Website.
	Inquiry Learning using Effective Questioning Through learning experiences, youth are encouraged to think, explore, question, and make decisions. Youth build understanding through active exploration and questioning. 4-H SET Inquiry Learning
	Science, Engineering, and Technology Abilities (Processes) Engages youth in science, engineering and technology through one or more of the thirty most important science, engineering, and technology processes. 4-H SET Abilities Full Report: SET in the Context of 4-H Youth Development
	Positive Youth Development Context Positive youth development occurs from an intentional process that provides youth opportunities to learn new skills, experience independence and develop concern for others in a positive learning environment. Contextualizing SET learning experiences within a positive youth development framework is critical in helping youth learn, grow, and contribute to their communities. Positive Youth Development Connection to 4-H SET Resources: Positive Youth Development
	Mentoring and Partnering with youth Learning experiences are led by trained, caring adult staff and volunteers acting as mentors, coaches, facilitators and co-learners who operate from a perspective that youth as partners and resources in their own development.
	Extended Learning Opportunities Projects offer long-term experiences to significantly increase youth knowledge, skills and attitudes. Experiences are designed for extended frequency and duration that serve to build learning over time.
	National Science Education Standards SET activities delivered through inquiry-based learning focusing on concepts of physical science, life science, earth and space science, science and technology, science in personal and social perspectives, history and nature of science. Resources: National Science Education Standards. National Science Education Standards Connection to 4-H SET

4-H SET Leadership Team

Photo of Andrea Ambrose Andrea Ambrose
Title: Corporate and Foundation Major Gifts Officer
Unit: California 4-H Foundation
Phone: (530) 752-4210
Email: apambrose@ucanr.edu

Photo of Dr Shannon J Dogan Dr Shannon J Dogan
Title: Associate Director of 4-H Program and Policy
Specialty: Adolescent Development, Positive Youth Development, Community-Based Programming, Evaluation
Unit: Youth, Families & Communities
Phone: (530) 754-8518
Email: sjdogan@ucanr.edu

Latonya Harris
Unit: Youth, Families & Communities
Email: lstharris@ucanr.edu

Photo of Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty
Title: County Director San Benito County & 4-H Youth Development Advisor
Specialty: Science and Technology
County: San Benito County
Phone: 831-637-5346 x 12
Email: lschmittmcquitty@ucanr.edu

Photo of Martin H Smith Martin H Smith
Title: Associate CE Specialist, Youth Curriculum Development
Specialty: Science Education; Program and Curriculum Development.
Unit: Veterinary Medicine Extension
Phone: (530) 752-6894
Email: mhsmith@ucdavis.edu

Photo of Steven Worker Steven Worker
Title: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Coordinator
Specialty: Out-of-school time/informal learning; science, engineering and technology education; community development
Unit: Youth, Families & Communities
Phone: (530) 754-8519
Email: smworker@ucanr.edu