Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET)

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.

Specifically, 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.

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Presentation (PPT)

July 17, 2008: 2008 4-H Golden Clover Award Re-Release Robert Brownlee Science Award.
The 2008 4-H Golden Clover Award program is seeking qualified 4-H members and volunteers to apply for the Robert Brownlee Science Award. Since no recipients were awarded a Brownlee Science Award during the initial 4-H Golden Clover Award selection process in June 2008, this category is being re-opened for additional applications. Due September 30, 2008.  Read more (PDF)

At present, America faces a critical challenge. Young people are not prepared with the necessary science, math and workforce skills necessary for the 21st century. A small percentage of United States students are proficient in science. Furthermore, the U.S. ranks low in the proportion of undergraduates who earn a science or math degree.

4-H is uniquely positioned to develop America’s future generation of scientists and engineers.
Building on 100 years of informal science education expertise, 4-H is addressing America’s critical need in science, engineering and technology with the unveiling of a national initiative to engage 1 million new young people in 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) programs over the next five years. The result of this national initiative will be improved science grades, increased interest in SET careers and more volunteers trained to deliver SET projects during the out-of-school time.

4-H Science, Engineering and Technology
• Reaches 5.9 million young people in all 50 states
• Connects cutting-edge research from 106 land-grant universities to local youth
• Delivers programs through 4-H clubs, 4-H Afterschool and 4-H camps
• Provides hands-on exploration and discovery to create a passion for the sciences

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

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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
  

California 4-H SET Steering Committee

California State Plan (PDF)
SET Outline (PDF)
Deliverables (PDF)

Richard Mahacek
UCCE Merced County 4-H
209-385-7403
rlmahacek@ucdavis.edu

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty
UCCE Santa Cruz / Monterey 4-H
831-763-8026
lschmittmcquitty@ucdavis.edu

Martin Smith
Veterinary Medicine Extension
530-752-6894
mhsmith@ucdavis.edu

Current California 4-H Curriculum

California 4-H Animal Ambassadors
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: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/AnimalAmbassadors/

California 4-H S.E.R.I.E.S.
The 4-H Science Experiences and Resources for Informal Educational Settings (SERIES) project was developed by the University of California in 1988 in response to a national need for the improvement of science literacy of children.  The 4-H SERIES Project is now in 43 states and Puerto Rico. Twelve of California's 4-H Youth Development Advisors served as the core development and training staff for 4-H SERIES.  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)

• Beyond Duck, Cover, and Hold
• Chemicals Are Us
• It Came From Planted Earth
• What's Bugging You?
• Ridges to Rivers: Watershed Explorations
• Sciencing With Snails
• Recycle/Reuse
• Oak Woodland Wildlife
• Pond Mapping
• Nature's Partners: Pollinator Protection

California 4-H Youth Experiences in Science (Y.E.S.)
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. The 4-H Y.E.S. curriculum is based on the highly successful 4-H SERIES model that incorporates cross-age teaching, inquiry-based activities combined with cooperative learning. 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. Available at ANR Publications.