The 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) Initiative is the 4-H program’s response to our nation’s and state’s concern for improving human capacity and workforce abilities in the areas of science, engineering, and technology (SET). It combines non-formal education with hands-on inquiry-based learning, in a youth development context, to increase literacy and engage youth in improving their knowledge, skills and abilities in science, engineering and technology. 4-H SET combines the strengths of 4-H non-formal experiential-based delivery modes and strong youth-adult partnerships to address SET content as defined by the National Science Education Standards.

California 4-H SET will address this challenge by preparing 150,000 new young people to excel in science, engineering, and technology. CA 4-H SET will do this by focusing available resources, both public and private to:

• Support and develop new and existing 4-H clubs, camps, afterschool programs, and other youth program deliveries that deliver high quality 4-H SET experiences.
• Create and disseminate innovative, research-based 4-H SET curricula that support the development of science literacy within the context of non-formal experiential education.
• Provide youth-adult partnerships which effectively engage youth in the learning through adult mentors, coaches, and facilitators.
• Develop and deliver multi-faceted professional and volunteer development training for 15,000 volunteers that will build capacity and assure program sustainability.

Anchored in the University of California, CA 4-H SET brings the cutting-edge research and resources of the land-grant university system to combine with nearly one hundred years of premiere youth development work to address these global competitiveness and leadership issues.

Through additional private and public funding, 4-H SET can focus resources and expertise in non-formal education to improve science literacy and increase the number of young adults pursuing careers in science, engineering and literacy fields.

4-H SET experiences are framed in science, engineering, and technology concepts based on National Science Education Standards and intentionally target the development of SET knowledge, skills, and abilities. Additionally, 4-H SET integrates the core elements of youth development programming as identified by that National Research Council with inquiry-based learning allowing the youth participant to build a deep understanding from these learning experiences.

California 4-H SET has established goals around three critically important areas: Program Development and Design, Professional Development, and Curriculum Development to accomplish its objectives.

Program Development and Design: 4-H SET will develop, design, and deliver programs to youth in diverse settings and locations that have current, accurate content and are contextually valid. Through this program development and design strategy, the 4-H SET program will provide opportunities for youth to increase knowledge, skills, and competencies and improve their attitudes about science, engineering, and technology. Coalition for Science After School

Professional Development: A well-coordinated system of professional development opportunities will be provided to prepare 4-H youth, adult volunteers and staff to incorporate science, engineering, and technology into 4-H. These professional development experiences will assist in increasing the knowledge, skills, competencies, and comfort levels of youth, adult volunteers and staff to provide hands-on, experientially-based 4-H SET learning experiences. 

Curriculum Development: A wide variety of 4-H SET curricula that meet the National Science Education Standards (NSES) and the curricula review process will be identified, adapted/developed, and implemented. By working with 4-H volunteers and staff, land-grant college and university faculty, 4-H SET content experts, and other partners (e.g., museums, 4-H SET organizations, 4-H SET associations, industries, foundations) the 4-H program will be infused with new, exciting and innovative materials to reach new audiences and enhance the 4-H experience.

Read more about California SET.

News and Updates

Vacancy Announcement: 4-H SET Coordinator

The California State 4-H Youth Development Program Office is seeking applicants for the position of 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) Coordinator.  The 4-H SET Coordinator will be responsible for creating and implementing major program development, volunteer development and curriculum delivery strategies for the 4-H SET program plan.  CLOSING DATE:  To assure full consideration, application packet must be received by December 1, 2008.

4-H SET UPDATES

This monthly communication provides you with up-to-date information on the 4-H SET Initiative and information on the topics of: Training, Curriculum, Resources, Events and Activities, Awards and Recognition, Funding, What’s Around the State, and Fun Facts. 

• November 2008 (Word) (PDF)
• October 2008 (Word) (PDF)

4-H SET Service Learning Fund

The University of California 4-H Youth Development Program is dedicated to fostering an environment throughout our state in which youth and adults work together as equal partners in ways that result in positive community change and the acquisition of new skills. In 2008, with the release of the SET (Science, Engineering, and Technology) Initiative, the California State 4-H Office will provide 4-H members, volunteer leaders, and staff an opportunity to receive funding for SET Service-Learning projects.  More information.

The world's largest rocket contest challenging participants to compete for $60,000 in prizes and scholarships and a trip to next year's international air show in Paris.  Participants must design and build a rocket that will climb to 750 feet and stay aloft for 45 seconds. This year's new task is transporting the one-egg payload lying on its side rather than positioned vertically, mimicking the position of an astronaut.  Teams have until Dec.1 to register. April 6 is the deadline to conduct a qualifying launch and earn a trip to the finals, scheduled for May 16 at the Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. The registration fee is $105.  For more information, visit www.rocketcontest.org

What is Science? What is Technology?  What is science inquiry?

What is Technology?
This definition uses "critical technologies:" those considered essential to develop to further the long-term national security or economic prosperity of the United States; 1990 Defense Appropriations Act. Technology is knowledge that has the following characteristics:

• systematized and practical, based on experimentation and/or scientific theory
• may involve new discoveries, current knowledge, or a combination of both
• directed toward application or achieving a goal rather than only toward understanding
• involves direct manipulation of materials or biological systems, or the implementation of mathematical algorithms
• is reproducable and transferable

What is Science?
Science is not just a collection of facts, theories and models. Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov describes science as "a way of thinking," a way to look at the world. Science involves trial and error - trying, failing and trying again. Science does not provide all the answers. It requires us to be skeptical so that our scientific "conclusions" can be modified or changed as we make new discoveries. Science includes:

• Observing what is happening
• Predicting what might happen
• Testing predictions under controlled conditions
• Trying to make sense of our observations

Read More  (Word) (PDF)

California 4-H SET Leadership Team

4-H Curriculum & Resources

USDA CSREES Family Science
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/familyscience.cfm
CSREES’ Family Science program advances family science research, education, and extension through national program leadership and federal assistance in partnership with the Land-Grand University System.  Flyer (PDF)

Kids' Science Challenge
http://www.kidsciencechallenge.com/
The Kids' Science Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to engage 3rd to 6th-graders in practicing science––and discovering how much fun it can be. Students will be able to submit experiments and problems to real scientists in very exciting, kid-friendly fields and then follow along as scientists and engineers attempt to do the experiments and solve these problems.

Coalition for Science After School
http://www.scienceafterschool.org/
The Coalition for Science After School envisions the day when young people from all backgrounds have access to high quality science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning experiences during out of school hours.

Guide to Professional Development of Out-of-School Science Activity Leaders, from the National Partnership for AfterSchool Science.
http://cse.edc.org/products/npassprofdevguide/
The tools and articles provided here describe a model for how to engage out-of-school activity leaders in professional development around science and engineering activities for youth.

eXtension Communities of Practice: Youth SET for Life
http://www.extension.org/pages/Youth_SET_for_Life_Information
Youth SET for Life is a community of learners interested in science, engineering, and technology. This site is brought to you by a core team of members. University faculty, 4-H staff, and others will provide learning materials. Youth and adults will explore and learn together. Learners can also share their own experiences with each other. The site will help you explore many areas as it grows. Farming in the 21st Century is one. Water and Energy are two other areas. Coming later will be material on the Environment and Biotechnology. Geospatial Technology is coming too. Other topics will be Animals, Plants, Insects, Earth & Space, Robotics, and Rocketry. The topics are endless.

California 4-H Animal Ambassadors
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/AnimalAmbassadors/
The Animal Ambassadors Program is a curriculum development, training, and dissemination effort that will complement school science courses, enrich and expand the offerings of nonformal youth education programs (e.g., 4-H; YMCA; museums), and enhance outreach efforts by campus and community professionals (e.g., Veterinarians). This innovative program is designed to use the world of animals, both wild and domesticated, as a "bridge" to help youth develop an interest in science, develop critical thinking and life skills, and to foster a better awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of animals, animal science, and veterinary science. Read more:

California 4-H SERIES.
The 4-H Science Experiences and Resources for Informal Educational Settings (SERIES) project was developed by the University of California starting in 1988.

The overall goal of the 4-H SERIES Project is to increase the quantity and quality of informal science experiences available to youth in order that they develop a clearer understanding of how science relates to their everyday lives and/or career possibilities in science and technology. Objectives of the 4-H SERIES Project are:

• To develop science activities that increase the quality and quantity of science experiences for youth as leaders and as learners by dissemination SERIES hands-on science experiences to new audiences.
• For youth to experience how science concepts and processes related to their everyday lives by active involvement in problem solving.
• To provide opportunities for youth to take positive leadership roles in their homes and communities through their participation in science-based community service projects; and,
• To provide opportunities for youth to investigate educational and career possibilities in science and technology through a scientist mentor relationship.

The eight curriculum units developed by the California 4-H SERIES Project are designed to be used by teen leaders with younger youth (ages 9-12)

California 4-H Youth Experiences in Science (Y.E.S.)
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/InOrder/Shop/ItemDetails.asp?ItemNo=3404A
There is nothing like the 4-H Y.E.S Project for providing high-quality, children’s science education in after-school settings. 4-H Y.E.S. uses specially trained teenage volunteers to conduct the "hands-on" science curriculum for children 5-9 years of age enrolled in 4-H School Age Child Care (SACC) and other SACC programs. The 4-H Y.E.S. Project offers planned, thematically linked science education experiences geared to the needs of children and child care providers. It focuses on learning scientific thinking processes and features the learning cycle. The three-year collaborative venture between National Science Foundation and the University of California allows for the development, pilot testing, and evaluation in 60 School Age Child Care sites throughout California.  The curriculum includes:

• Snail Trails
• Magic Bubbles
• The Collection Connection
• Kitchen Science
• Wonderful Worms
• Wee-cyclo-saur-us
• Children Looking Undercover for Energy