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It’s no secret that our economy is rapidly shifting, and as 4‑H educators we are starting to become cognizant of the fact that computer science is a “new basic skill” essential for economic opportunity and social mobility.

The White House recently launched the Computer Science For All initiative to empower all young people to learn computer science and be equipped with the computational thinking skills they need to be creators in the digital economy and leaders in a world driven by technology. Computer science also aligns with the President’s Nation of Makers initiative, which focuses on the Maker Movement—the growing democratization of the hardware and software tools needed to design and make just about anything.

Computer science and making are elements of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Youth acquire STEM abilities by learning computer science and making things in 4‑H.

Youth that develop their STEM abilities in 4‑H will have more opportunities to chart their course to rewarding and successful careers where:

  1. Skills are in great demand
  2. Earnings are high
  3. Unemployment is low

We all know that a healthy STEM workforce is critical to addressing our country’s pressing challenges and keeping our economy strong, but did you know that between 2008 and 2018, the number of STEM jobs is projected to grow by 17 percent? As 4‑H educators, we have a tremendous opportunity to prepare our youth to take advantage of this unique set of circumstances.

While not everyone can or will become a STEM professional, these abilities assist all youth to become critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers and intelligent decision makers. Intentional STEM experiences prepare youth to be the successful citizens, parents and leaders (#TrueLeaders!) of tomorrow.

STEM Next, a partner to National 4‑H Council, and national leader in increasing opportunities for STEM learning in communities across the country, provides an analogy that has helped me gain a better perspective on the importance of regular occurring STEM experiences for youth:STEM learning opportunities are like charging stations. Youth who plug in – at school and in many places across their communities – get engaged, inspired, and knowledgeable about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Every time you—a volunteer or parent—organize a 4‑H STEM camp, workshop or club meeting, we are linking and electrifying powerful charging stations so that young people can power up to take an active role in their learning.

As a 4‑H educator you can help expand Computer Science for All and the Nation of Makers initiatives in many different ways. Here are 10 ideas to start with:

  1. Train volunteers to organize 4‑H Code or Maker Clubs or host summer camps.
  2. Encourage youth to enter their code and maker projects as exhibits in county fairs.
  3. Educate yourself by learning a programming language like Scratch or Python.
  4. Partner with FIRST to organize a robotics program in your county, region or state.
  5. Train your 4‑H club leaders to complete an Hour of Code or Design Squad Challenge and encourage them to do it with their clubs.
  6. Apply to be a makercamp.com affiliate.
  7. Join the eXtension Maker Community and learn from Extension professionals across the country who are actively engaged.
  8. Look for STEM funding opportunities in your state.
  9. Put yourself in the flow of information by signing up for the STEMconnector Newsletter.
  10. Participate in 4‑H National Youth Science Day during National 4‑H Week in October.

If you have more ideas, please leave them in the comments below.

It feels fulfilling to be selected as the Youth in Action STEM Pillar award winner, sponsored by HughesNet. After years of learning, fun, and hard work, it is a great honor for the merits of my accomplishments as a 4‑H’er to be recognized on a national level.A greater honor than the award itself was to be able to network with everyone at the events during Grow True Leaders Week. Meeting with new 4‑H’ers, especially from different areas and walks of life, is always a pleasure.

Speaking at the Grow True Leaders Youth Rally was yet another way for me to inspire youth to reach higher. Immediately after the rally, fellow 4‑H’ers shared their STEM experiences with me. I am blessed, through 4‑H, with the ability to connect with other youth that share a passion and vision for a better world.

At the 4‑H Legacy Awards and other in-person meetings, the opportunity to interact with global businesses and 4‑H leaders was truly immense. Building my network with people who have a vision to improve the future and the tools and drive to do so will be valuable to both my personal future, and the future of my community and 4‑H clubs back home. Our partnership with HughesNet looks to be promising for promoting meaningful awareness, respect, and knowledge of STEM fields amongst youth.

I look forward to inspiring youth to get their hands on projects so they can learn meaningful skills for their future. If you don’t know about something, don’t be scared. Try it, and learn it.

California 4-H

Erika is a California 4-H volunteer and a mother of two children who both participate in 4-H. Here’s her story:

“4-H is very important to me, and gives me the opportunity to help my community. It is also an opportunity to support my two children in educational programs. I volunteer at many events in my community and I try to set a good example to my children. Sharing with others our time and talents is the best way to help! . . . We have two clubs and our vision is to open more! Ours is a small community with a large number of Hispanic and low-income students; 4-H will help many families!

THANKS 4-H!”

"El programa ayudara a muchas familias. ¡GRACIAS 4-H!" - Erika, California 4-H

Kyle is a Delaware 4-H alum who is currently majoring in agribusiness:

4-H has impacted Kyle’s life in many ways. It has given him the direction and guidance to work toward and achieve his goals. Kyle comes from what is considered to be an underserved community. His influence in that community and school has been felt throughout by achieving goals only hard work and determination can achieve. He has a powerful work ethic that has encouraged his fellow club members to reach for higher goals and accomplishments that is felt throughout his community. Kyle is well known in Sussex County for his many accomplishments and is an example to all young people that setting goals and working toward them can be done.

Georgia 4-H
Georgia 4-H’ers participated in great programming like Mentor Up, Citizenship Washington Focus, and Health Rocks!:Ka’Shawn attended Citizenship Washington Focus in 2014, and from that experience felt he would like to pursue a career in politics. Since his trip, he has been growing his leadership through taking on roles in 4-H by getting involved with his STEM Robotics club, becoming a junior Camp counselor at 4-H Healthy Living & STEM summer camps and at his local high school.
Royce, an Idaho 4-H’er, has served the Coeur d’Alene community for two years as a 4-H Food Smart Families teen advocate.
“Kids watch a lot of TV these days, so I like being able to teach them about how nutrition and healthy living can be fun too. I volunteer for Coeur d’Alene for Kids, and because of 4-H I have become a better mentor to them, and they look up to me more. I’ve had a hard time with public speaking—I’ve been shy. Being in this program, I’ve been able to break through that shell and it’s easier for me to talk to new people now.”
"Being in this program, I’ve been able to break through that shell and it’s easier for me to talk to new people now." - Royce, Idaho 4-H
Iowa 4-H and college student, Allison, stays involved in 4-H by serving as a 4-H club leader:
 
“4-H has been and still is so much more than a club or program, it is my true love, and when I was younger it was finally somewhere I could fit in and be myself, which is still true today. The most important thing that 4-H ever gave me was the confidence to believe in myself. This may not seem like much, but to me it was everything as it helped me through many difficult situations that I have struggled with in my life, including my life long fight with obesity. I have also had the great fortune to be one of five individuals from across the U.S. to serve on the National 4-H Healthy Living Team as a youth ambassador, specializing in nutrition, healthy eating, and weight management . . . Being chosen to join this team and represent 4-H, healthy living, the United States, and Iowa is the most humbling opportunity I have ever been given.”

"4-H has been and still is so much more than a club or program, it is my true love." - Allison, Iowa 4-H

Here is the story of Alexis, a Louisiana 4-H'er:
 
“This past year was the first year I became a member of the Louisiana State 4-H Food and Fitness Board. Being on this board has allowed me to further my knowledge and experience of living a healthy lifestyle. Coping with an injury throughout the past year, I could no long be as physically active as I used to, so I had to find ways to stay healthy. The Food and Fitness Board helped me discover new ways to do just that . . . The Food and Fitness Board has used the grant to plan events as well as go to different events to meet new people and go to new places. This helped increase my social skills and made me the well-rounded 4-H leader I am today.”

"This helped increase my social skills and made me the well-rounded 4-H leader I am today." - Alexis, Louisiana 4-H

Baltimore, Maryland 4-H
 
4-H’ers in Baltimore participated in Health Rocks!:
 
Baltimore has been regrouping and recovering from the recent April uprisings. Our youth have been put in some unsettling environments. As a result, the Health Rocks! curriculum has been such a precious gift per several of the parents and grandparents. We had the opportunity and privilege to spend quality time with those youth who normally would just hang out in the community. However, with rec centers closed they were eager to attend 4-H. The structured program provided has ignited youth old and young to come together and work the plan as they plan to work hard to be constructive and not destructive. Healthy lifestyle and healthy life choices has been included in their summer days, afternoons, and after school hours.
 
Michigan 4-H’er and active teen leader Ryan shares his story of 4-H leadership:
 
“4-H is important to me for several reasons. First of all, it is an opportunity for me to build skills in leadership, public speaking, showmanship, and many other categories. From singing my heart out as a camp counselor, to presenting projects and information to large groups, to properly showing a chicken to the head of the American Poultry Association, I’ve gained a lot of experience in real world situations and can now use that experience in the future.”
We continue our celebration of 4‑H youth impact across the nation, here are just a few of the many ways 4‑H empowered youth and built true leaders in 2015.

Jerry, a Mississippi 4‑H’er, serves as a Youth Health Ambassador with Alcorn State Eat4‑Health Program:

“I have been in 4‑H for 3-1/2 years. During that time, 4‑H has helped me learn a lot about leadership, teamwork and communication (public speaking). Being in 4‑H has also helped me develop better decision-making skills, it has helped me be more responsible and take charge of my life.

Participating in the Citizenship Washington Focus program has changed my life. Traveling to Washington, D.C. has given me a new look on life. Before this trip I was not sure where I was going but today I know I am going to college and I would like to be an educator. This experience helped me to learn more about 4‑H and my government, things that will help me be a better 4‑H’er and citizen. I have always been a little shy, but CWF gave me the opportunity to meet and interact with people from different backgrounds and communities. This gave me confidence in myself and my abilities.”

"Being in 4‑H helped me develop better decision-making skills, be more responsible, and take charge of my life." – Jerry, Mississippi 4‑H

Nebraska 4‑H
Nebraska 4‑H’er Emily’s story is one of 4 H skill and responsibility:

“4‑H has helped me amplify my love for agriculture, and build my skills in other areas that are important to me, such as: Citizenship, Sewing, Cooking, and Photography. 4‑H has also helped me to become a confident individual. I have helped improve my community by volunteering my abilities to do different community service projects with my club and with my friends. I love when I get the chance to participate in community service projects that younger generations are involved in because I feel like I am leading them to do good in their lives also.”

"4‑H has also helped me to become a confident individual." – Emily, Nebraska 4‑H

Jessica is a North Carolina 4‑H’er who has been showing goats since the age of 10. Now in college and an active 4‑H volunteer, she wrote a beautiful poem about her time as a 4‑H’er:

Showing days are over, It’s time for college
From a 4-leaf clover, I leave with my knowledge
From a girl who was once shy, and had no clue what to do in the ring
Saying goodbye with a cry, Especially in the spring
Showing taught me a lot, Most importantly responsibility
I gave it all I got, With much acceptability
Win or lose, Different judge every time, Can put you in the blues
But worth every dime . . .
I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for this
Made a lot of friends along the way, Ones I’ll definitely miss
My goal in life is to help others, So that’s what I’m going to do
Make a difference in my life and another’s—Maybe yours too

Career opportunities in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) are available far and wide, however, according to a recent study, America is not keeping pace with the current and projected demand for graduates with STEM skills and training. This need is even more prevalent amongst women and minorities, who are significantly under-represented in STEM degrees and careers.

Lockheed Martin wants to empower today’s youth with the resources and knowledge needed to discover and explore STEM career opportunities. Introducing the 4‑H STEM Futures program.

Developed through work with National 4‑H Council, this national program features a new, research-based framework to set more young people on a clear pathway for careers as scientists and engineers. Through after-school learning and practical, hand-on experiences, the world of STEM comes to life as youth are armed with skills needed to face STEM in the real world.

The key component of the program is the 4‑H Career Pathway, a unique process that repositions STEM careers and majors as attainable options for youth, particularly girls and minorities. Here’s how it works:

Explore – youth participate in introductory, short-term STEM projects
Learn – youth delve into projects that teach more advanced STEM concepts and problem solving skills
Practice – youth engage in more long-term projects with professional coaches to guide them in building STEM and leadership skills for college and career
Experience – youth immerse themselves in a field of work, including on-site training, shadowing and internship opportunities with STEM businesses.
The best part about the process? Lockheed Martin employees, scientists and engineers will serve as mentors to youth across the country throughout each stage, amplifying the 4‑H /Lockheed Martin joint effort and making an even greater impact on today’s youth. They are even kicking off their work together with this year’s 4‑H National Youth Science Day event where volunteers will assist over 300 youth in the Motion Commotion experiment in Washington D.C. on October 7th – providing the opportunity to spark their interests in exploring STEM.

“Lockheed Martin has partnered with 4‑H for many years on STEM programs that educate and inspire tomorrow’s scientists, engineers and mathematicians,” said Emily Simone, Lockheed Martin’s director of Community Relations. “This new STEM Futures partnership will provide even more opportunities to introduce students to exciting STEM careers and make positive impacts on the world.”