You searched for 4-H at Home - National 4-H Council

Office Art Description

Christina Vines — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 16:10:15 +0000

Gallery Art

Description

Home You searched for 4-H at Home

Stained Glass

This half-moon stained glass was originally located in the J.C. Penney Hall of the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, MD. For decades it served as a welcome beacon for guests to the 4-H Center.

In 1971, a small chapel was gifted by Caroline A. Penney, wife of James Cash Penney. Upon its completion, the front of the building was reworked, and the stained-glass piece was created. When the facade and entrance to the Hall were refurbished, the glass was removed, repaired, leaded, restored and backlit. Bruce Wood (National 4-H Council Associate and stained glass aficionado) led the restoration.

In 2024, this piece was moved to the new home of the National 4-H Council where it continues to serve as a unique and historical welcoming point for a new generation of 4-H'ers.

Presidential Photos

Over the years, 4-H has had unwavering support and involvement from the President of the United States—beginning with President Theodore Roosevelt’s Country Life Commission in 1908, which studied rural life and emphasized the need for a deeper connection to youth environment and education. This helped set the stage for the formation of the Cooperative Extension Service, created by the passage of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which was signed by President Woodrow Wilson.

Although no U.S. President has been a 4-H member, a President of the United States has served as the Honorary Chairman of 4-H’s National Council Board for nearly eight decades—from President Calvin Coolidge in 1923 through President William Jefferson Clinton in 2001. First Ladies have also been present, speaking to gender equality, leadership and hard work to create a nation of peace, strength and progress.

Dwight Eisenhower was possibly the most accessible President over 4-H’s long history, helping dedicate the opening of the original National Center in 1959. Perhaps Eisenhower said it most succinctly, when he eloquently reiterated his respect for the capacity, imagination, dedication and devotion of our Nation’s youth.

Canning Jar

Over a century ago, with the aim of implementing more modernized farming and growing techniques, 4-H engaged young people to learn—and hopefully adopt—emerging Ag processes. Learning firsthand about production and quality control, as well as creative marketing and entrepreneurial systems, enterprising 4-Hers parlayed their ag-focused projects into small but successful business ventures.

Customized Good Luck canning jars were created to promote their superior product and ensure quality standards and are an enduring symbol of how young people can create positive and meaningful change in our communities and world.

4-H Poster

For over a century, 4-H has been designing and creating annual themed posters highlighting National 4-H Week. With varying themes of improving community living, working together and providing Opportunity for All, the posters all vividly reflect the colors and design style of the era as well as the progressive and evolving nature of 4-H.

Brandt NASCAR

Brandt, a leading manufacturer of agricultural specialty products and longtime supporter of 4-H, fielded their AG car for seven consecutive seasons at NASCAR. Emblazoned with the 4-H Clover and the tagline ‘Celebrating the Future of Ag’, Brandt has been an advocate through scholarships, project funding, volunteered time and gifts through the BRANDT Foundation.

An advocate for youth and leadership development through ‘learning by doing’ in local 4-H clubs, Brandt supports Ag clubs across the country as they give youth an opportunity to develop valuable skills and apply them in their local and global communities.

4-H Stem Challenge Kits

Introduced in 2008 to help spark an interest in STEM subjects and STEM-related careers, the annual 4-H Challenge Kits each focus on a compelling and timely topic to engage and inform kids. The kits are part of a larger PYD mission for 4-H, which aims to prepare youth for a successful future, instilling confidence, leadership skills, a sense of purpose and a desire to create positive change in their world.

Perfect for school, club, or at-home use, STEM kits are packed with games, activities, building and design activities and created by LGU subject experts and members from the 4-H National Council.

4-H Jacket

At one time, 4-H uniforms and handmade clothing projects were a way to show pride and inclusivity as well as demonstrate mastery of skills like hand and machine stitching, embroidery and felting. A look into the 120-year history of 4-H fashion reveals epic shifts in style, techniques, materials and colorways. The elements that are woven into every piece, however, are the lasting memories of mentors, the satisfaction of learning by doing, and the journey of creating and discovery.

This 4-H jacket was generously donated by Georgia 4-H Alum, Bo Ryles. Dr. Bo’s involvement in 4-H began at the age of 10, and over several decades has expanded to a legacy of commitment, generosity and leadership.

Alumni Photos

4-H’s 120-year history of learning, leading, self-discovery and belonging has seen millions of young people grow, break down barriers and become amazing human beings. Alumni all over the globe are challenging the norm, working together to raise awareness of life-changing 4-H impact and making positive change in their communities and beyond.

Three accomplished and influential alumni are highlighted here, but there are many more.

Peggy Whitson

Iowa native and esteemed NASA astronaut with a Doctorate in Biochemistry, 4-H taught Peggy to explore the world and when that wasn’t enough, to go beyond it. Before retiring, Peggy spent an astronomical 665 days in space and performed 10 career spacewalks.

Jennifer Nettles

Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter and Georgia alum, 4-H taught Jennifer her voice would take her far, but her heart is what makes her a star. A passionate spokesperson, Jennifer believes in 4-H’s power to instill drive, help kids find their spark and encourage positive peer and mentor relationships.

Craig Melvin

American broadcast journalist and South Carolina alum, 4-H taught Craig that growing the confidence to succeed often means taking the risk to fail. Craig is an anchor on the Today show and advocates for inclusivity, healthy living and equal access to education.

Mulligan Stew

Airing from 1972 into reruns until the early 80s, Mulligan Stew was a six-episode educational series produced and sponsored by 4-H and USDA Extension. Focused on good nutrition and developing healthy eating habits, Mulligan Stew was comprised of five school-aged kids and detailed their humorous adventures in a band together.

Jim Davis

Best known for his long-running comic strip GARFIELD, Jim Davis is a Kentucky 4-H alum who grew up on an Angus farm and won Grand Champion showing a heifer in 1955. He credits 4-H with learning a good work ethic and accurate record keeping skills.

To celebrate 4-H’s Centennial birthday and his own special connection to the organization, Davis created a 4-H themed cartoon. From the original acrylic painting, archival prints were auctioned to the public raising money for every state’s Extension program as well as the National 4-H Council.

The SIMPSONS

Even the Simpsons love 4-H. The longest running animated television series in US history, and arguably one the most original, The Simpsons based episode 417, better known as Apocalypse Cow, on 4-H. The Simpsons creator, Matt Groening donated the script, serving as a testament to 4-H’s reach, connectivity and relatability in today’s world.

Onizuka 4-H “Space” Flag

After a series of weather-related delays, the seven-member crew of Endeavour—along with a flag bearing the green 4-H clover—blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center, June 13, 2009. The 16-day mission included five spacewalks and the installation of two platforms outside of the Japanese module.

Including the 4-H flag on this mission reflects the commitment 4-H has to building young leaders in science, engineering and technology. As the global economy expands, their work-readiness will strengthen our nation’s global competitiveness and leadership in these fields.

Azeem Ahmed, an avid space enthusiast and former President of the Alabama 4-H Council, made the original request to NASA to have the flag flown with a future space shuttle mission.

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For young people to succeed in the workforce of the future, we need to prepare them for AI now

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:39:22 +0000

Artificial intelligence technologies – specifically generative AI tools – are influencing our lives and our world in profound ways. From enabling new scientific discoveries in fields like genetics and chemistry, to making basic research easier, to helping people in a growing range of jobs work more efficiently, AI is changing how we create, collaborate and communicate with one another. And young people will increasingly become those leading the creation and navigating the consequences of these powerful tools and technologies.

The advent of generative AI also has major implications for the economy and workforce of the future. According to the World Economic Forum, familiarity with AI and big data is already one of the skill sets most sought after by employers. Demand for AI-savvy workers will only increase as these technologies become more advanced and play a bigger role in our daily lives.

Today’s young people are already powerful digital natives who have been introduced to AI and hold some knowledge about its possibilities, according to our new survey. The next generation of leaders adapt to new technological advances with incredible tenacity, and now it is our responsibility as adults to support this fervor. We have six million innovators with the promise and potential to create a future that harnesses powers from AI that we don’t yet grasp.

It is time we supplement this foundational knowledge of AI and expand on how to use it effectively, safely, and responsibly – in the classroom, at home and beyond.

Our survey is the first to examine AI use and understanding among young people (ages 9-17) and shows that young people are optimistic about generative AI’s potential. To help realize this optimism, young people would like adults to help them engage with these tools correctly and confidently.

Here are some key takeaways from the survey:

Most young people already have at least a basic understanding of generative AI. Among all youth surveyed, 66% said they know at least some about generative AI; 34% said they know “a great deal” or “a fair amount.”

Young people are optimistic about the impact of generative AI on their education and careers. 64% of all respondents agreed that generative AI will help them learn things that they will need to know in their future careers, and 58% said it would help them improve how they learn at school.

Young people also have concerns about AI technology, including its potential uses for cheating and privacy issues. 61% of kids agree that AI will make it easier to cheat at school, and 53% expressed concerns that AI could find out private information about them.
Young people want adults involved in learning how to use and engage with the AI tools they have used or might use in their lives. An overwhelming number of young people (72%) are seeking support from adults in learning how to use AI tools properly. This includes a majority of both younger children (84% of 9-12 year olds) and teens (63% of 13-17 year olds).

There are several steps we can take to tap into the inherent power of these digital natives and support their understanding of an AI-driven future and economy, even while understanding that the field is evolving and there is so much more we can all learn. Here are a few places to start:

We must meet young people where they are by having open, honest conversations about online safety at ages that reflect the reality of their current use of technology. According to research from the Pew Research Center, children in the United States begin interacting with digital devices at young ages. Our research identified a major gap between older and younger children in terms of their familiarity with AI – high school boys are most likely to express a strong understanding of generative AI (43%), whereas girls in elementary school are least likely (22%). As young people start to experiment with using digital technologies, we need to prepare them how to use these tools, including generative AI, responsibly.
We need to equip parents and teachers with resources to support young people in their journey to understand and use new technology safely and responsibly. This is essential if we want to succeed in laying a strong, early foundation of AI education for our youth particularly as more parents start talking to their kids about AI and as teachers look to incorporate discussions about AI – and AI technology itself – into the classroom.
We must make access to generative AI tools inclusive so that everyone can benefit, and no communities are left behind. For example, while 38% of urban youth and 36% of suburban youth say they know a great deal or fair amount about generative AI, that number drops to 28% among their rural counterparts. This shows the potential for a forthcoming digital divide on AI that is exacerbated by geography. If we want to give all young people a chance to thrive in the years to come, we must ensure that opportunities to learn about and engage with AI are available no matter your geography or background.

Both of our organizations are taking steps to provide support on AI for adults and young people. National 4-H Council is looking to develop educational content about AI through the new CLOVER digital learning platform, local Cooperative Extension 4-H programs, and our connection to 110 universities nationwide. Microsoft recently released a Family Safety Toolkit to support caregivers’ conversations with their children about generative AI, as well as a Classroom Toolkit, providing guidance to educators on creating an immersive and effective learning experience with generative AI for students aged 13-15 years.

As a next phase of our partnership, 4-H will be conducting a series of focus groups with members to dive deeper into the survey results. Our goal with these sessions is to gain a greater understanding of how different communities and ages are using these tools and how we can help them succeed. We will share our findings publicly so that everyone can benefit from the insights.

Preparing young people for the workforce of the future means doing our due diligence as adults to build upon their natural fluency for technology and provide the resources they need to understand generative AI. It’s on all of us to ensure that the youth in our lives are set up to thrive and understand how to leverage these new technologies that are reshaping our world.

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Power Protectors

Christina Vines — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 19:36:04 +0000

Power Protectors

The 2023 4-H STEM Challenge

Home You searched for 4-H at Home

ABOUT THE 2022 4‑H STEM CHALLENGE

Developed by 4-H educators from Cornell University, University of Illinois, Utah State University and West Virginia University, Power Protectors is a collection of three activities that teach kids how to address real-world issues and explore careers in energy. The STEM Challenge kit is perfect for youth ages 8-14.

Buy Kit Now

Buy your kits on Shop 4-H!

The Power Protectors STEM Challenge kit includes three activities designed for individuals or groups and are adaptable for after-school programs, 4-H clubs, classrooms, home use, and more!

Superhero Hideout – Kids will learn about renewable energy and design an electrifying Power Protector hideout!
Amped Up Engineering – Acting as engineers, kids will design and build a model of a renewable energy source to help Energy Island survive and thrive!
Energy Island Adventure – Playing this collaborative board game, kids work as a SUPER team using solar, wind and hydropower to save endangered Energy Island!

Buy Kit Now

Power Protectors Resources

Power Protectors Facilitator Guide - Single Pages

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Power Protectors Facilitator Guide - Spreads

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Power Protectors Facilitator Guide - Español

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Power Protectors Posters

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Power Protectors Zoom Backgrounds

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Power Protectors Social Graphics

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Energy Island Adventure Playthrough Video

Sponsored by West Virginia University Extension.

STEM Challenge webinar for educators

Learn about the challenge kit, the specific kit activities and how you can use the challenge to enhance your STEM programming.

Brought to you by:

No endorsement by 4-H is implied or intended. 4-H is the youth development program for our nation’s Cooperative Extension system.

Power Protectors User Survey

Please provide feedback on your experience using the Power Protectors kit with young people.

Survey

Be a Wind Warrior

Grades 1-6

30 min

Bonus CLOVER Activity - Be a Wind Warrior

Take a load off! As energy superheroes, you and your friends have just moved into the Superhero Hideout on Energy Island, but you have a problem! Your superhero supplies are too heavy to move up the stairs from the underground garage into the hideout. You need to create a new way to lift objects using the wind flowing through the nearby canyon. Are you up to the challenge?

Launch Activity

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4‑H & Microsoft digital impact survey

Christina Vines — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 21:18:48 +0000

4‑H & Microsoft

digital impact survey

Home You searched for 4-H at Home

National 4‑H Council and Microsoft teamed up to explore digital access among teens through a national survey. The survey, which polled over 1,500 youth between the ages of 13-19 nationwide, investigated how lack of broadband internet access affects their social mobility and economic opportunities.

Key Findings

1 in 4 American teens have Broadband connections that are unreliable
Nearly half of teens report struggling to complete homework due to slow internet connections.
79% of teens with broadband access expect to have a higher income than their parents, while only 66% of teens without broadband access felt this way.

2019 Microsoft Youth Voice Digital Skills Survey

Digital Impact Survey 2021

4-H Digital Divide Survey Infographic

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4-H Digital Divide Survey Report 2021

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National 4-H Council Names 2024 Youth In Action Award Winners

National 4-H Council — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 19:55:25 +0000

Four young leaders from across the country receive $5,000 scholarships for outstanding achievements and community impact

WASHINGTON, DC (October 2, 2023) – National 4-H Council today announced the winners of the 2024 Youth In Action Awards, a national program sponsored by Bayer that recognizes four diverse young leaders who have made a positive impact in their communities.

The winners will each receive a $5,000 higher education scholarship and spend 2024 inspiring other youth by telling their 4-H story. In addition, they will have opportunities to showcase their work nationally, network with prominent 4‑H alumni, and serve as official 4-H spokespeople for Youth in Action.

The announcement was made during National 4-H Week, held October 1-7, 2023 to celebrate and showcase the opportunities and impact that 4‑H offers young people across the country.

The winners of the 2024 4-H Youth in Action Awards are:

Katie Collins, 19, Charlotte, Tennessee: Growing up as a mixed-race girl on a dairy farm, Collins often felt like she didn’t quite fit in. In 4-H, she found a sense of belonging and an outlet to be her true self. Collins has since completed hundreds of hours of leadership training and dairy-related volunteer work. Through her leadership as 4-H Honor President, Collins created See Yourself in Ag, a program designed to expose diverse and rural youth to the many aspects of agriculture and ag-related careers. Her program has reached more than 672 4-H’ers, successfully introducing a diverse audience of young people to the agricultural industry; 53 percent of participants were female, and 68 percent were young people of color.
Amiyah Elam, 17, Waycross, Georgia: Self-described as a little girl with a big voice, Amiyah found a way to amplify her voice through Georgia 4-H and its prestigious show choir, Clovers & Company. With a desire to have a positive impact on young girls in her hometown, she developed “I AM,” a nonprofit focused on mentoring at-risk girls by equipping them with opportunities, skills development, and confidence. Elam’s program empowers students through lessons in emotional wellness, self-care, personal finance, and career readiness. Amiyah’s partnership with local nonprofits and professionals in their monthly meetings has instilled confidence and self-worth in the participating girls.
Harold “Reed” Marcum, 18, McAlester, Oklahoma: After facing struggles around social anxiety and speaking because of his ADHD, Marcum gained confidence and found his voice in 4-H. He used his newfound courage to organize programs to address the needs of his community, organizing multiple annual events including a Book Bag giveaway and Toy Drive that benefit underserved populations in McAlester. After a young neighbor lost his life to pediatric cancer, he started a foundation and organized an annual silent auction to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and supporting affected families. Marcum’s community has rallied around his leadership, allowing him to grow his projects exponentially every year, estimating a total donation and fundraising efforts close to $3.5 million overall.
Avani Rai, 17, Bloomington, Illinois: After witnessing the shortcomings of addressing food insecurity in her community at a young age, Rai became an integral part of 4-H’s Food Advocacy Team, a youth-led initiative to improve equitable access to healthy foods and champion food security. Avani and team organized healthy food drives, meal packaging events, and educated others through community seminars. Avani later expanded her service to overall healthy living, including mental and physical health through yoga. Reaching all elementary schools in her district, Avani’s ‘Super Yoga’ curriculum has been shared with more than 1,300 children. She has also served on the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s USDA-Sponsored Local Food Purchase committee and spoke on a roundtable alongside Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.

“The 2024 Youth in Action Awards honor four incredible young people, each of whom are model examples of their generation – embodying a commitment to service, a love of their communities and a passion for leadership that represent the best of 4-H,” said Jill Bramble, President & CEO, National 4-H Council. “We are proud that Cooperative Extension’s 4-H programs have offered Katie, Amiyah, Reed, and Avani these opportunities to lead and tools to succeed, which they have used to make a positive impact on their communities and inspire other 4-H’ers to do the same.”

The 4-H Youth in Action Awards, sponsored in part by Bayer, began in 2010 to recognize young people who overcome challenges and use the knowledge they gain through participation in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community.

To learn more about Youth in Action, please visit http://4-h.org/parents/4-h-youth-in-action/.

ABOUT 4-H

4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs. Learn more about 4‑H at 4-H.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

ABOUT BAYER

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of healthcare and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth, and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2015, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of EUR 46.3 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.3 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.com/.

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Explorers of the Deep

ncastelli — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 20:46:37 +0000

Explorers of the Deep

The 2022 4-H STEM Challenge

Home You searched for 4-H at Home

About the 2022 4‑H STEM Challenge

Designed by Rutgers University, Explorers of the Deep focuses on the mysteries and adventures of ocean exploration—with robots! Young people learn how to use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to explore Earth’s Ocean and how it relates to all life on the planet.

The 2022 Challenge helps young people develop observational and critical thinking skills while exploring the interconnected nature between the ocean and humans, regardless of where they live. They will learn about the incredibly complex relationship between Earth’s oceans and the global climate. According to a recent survey, 84 percent of teens would like to be involved with shaping the future of our environment.

Explorers of the Deep can help empower young people to innovate and take action to drive positive change.

The 2022 STEM Challenge has been endorsed by the UN as a Decade of Ocean Science activity!

BUY YOUR KIT

The reviews are in!

This kit is delightful! A real treasure, and something I intend to use again and again.

Loved the connection to the ocean literacy principles.

Throughout all the activities, the kids genuinely learned something new while having fun and working together.

Explorers of the Deep

Explorers of the Deep consists of three activities that can be done all at once or individually, making it highly adaptable for classrooms, afterschool programs, clubs and more:

Ocean Robot Test Tank is an activity where youth learn how to “ballast” their ocean robot by adding weights to replicate the sinking and floating behavior of a real ocean robot. They will investigate data collected by ocean robots and learn about the value of ocean exploration.

Ocean Expedition is a board game where youth navigate their ocean robot around the world while learning key ocean concepts. Topics include aquaculture, climate change, innovation, human impact and the ocean ecosystem.

Ocean Communicator is an activity in which young people investigate challenges that ocean scientists, engineers and technologists are currently exploring. They design and advocate for innovations and technical solutions that inspire public action.

Aligns to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

How to get started

Purchase a kit from Shop 4‑H that includes all the basic materials needed to complete each learning activity at home or in a small group setting.

A basic kit includes materials for 4-6 youth.
For groups of more than 6 youth, additional supplies (youth guides, gliders, and board games) are available for purchase.
Kits can be used in spaces where physical distancing can be observed.

BUY YOUR KIT

STEM Challenge webinar for educators

Join experts from Rutgers University and National 4‑H Council for an on-demand webinar training for educators to learn more about this year’s STEM Challenge, Explorers of the Deep.

REGISTER TO WATCH THE RECORDING

Explorers of the Deep resources

Explorers of the Deep Resources

Explorers of the Deep - Facilitator Guide - Español

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Explorers of the Deep - Youth Guide - Español

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Explorers of the Deep - Facilitator Guide - English

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Explorers of the Deep - Youth Guide - English

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ARCHIVE – STEM Challenge (TEMP)

Christina Vines — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:16:48 +0000

4-H STEM CHALLENGE

New activity kits are now available! Explore the exciting world of renewable energy with the Power Protectors. Home You searched for 4-H at Home

The 2023 4-H STEM Challenge, Power Protectors kits are now available!

Inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators!

Buy Kit Now

Buy your kits on Shop 4-H!

The Power Protectors STEM Challenge kit includes three activities that are highly adaptable for afterschool programs, 4-H clubs, classrooms, home use and more:

Superhero Hideout -Kids will learn about renewable energy and design an electrifying Power Protector hideout!
Amped Up Engineering – Acting as engineers, kids will design and build a model of a renewable energy source to help Energy Island survive and thrive!
Energy Island Adventure – Playing this collaborative board game, kids work as a SUPER team using solar, wind and hydropower to save endangered Energy Island!

Buy Kit Now

Power Protectors

Through decades of neglect and waste, Energy Island is in danger of becoming unplugged forever. Now, it’s in the hands of the next generation – The Power Protectors – to save it!

Working together as a SUPER team toward a common goal, young people will help endangered Energy Island move from its unsustainable carbon-based energy use to renewable solar, wind and hydro power.

By completing three engaging activities and using cooperation, determination and the POWER of reusable energy, youth will PLAY and WIN together as The Power Protectors!

STEM Challenge webinar for educators

Learn about the challenge kit, the specific kit activities and how you can use the challenge to enhance your STEM programming.

Watch the Webinar

Brought to you by:

Past Challenges

Since 2008, 4‑H STEM Challenge, formerly known as 4‑H National Youth Science Day (NYSD), has been the premier national rallying event for year-round 4‑H science programming, bringing together youth, volunteers and educators from all over the country to complete hands-on STEM activities.

2022: Explorers of the Deep

Designed by Rutgers University, Explorers of the Deep focuses on the mysteries and adventures of ocean exploration-with robots! Young people learn how to use Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to explore Earth’s Ocean and how it relates to all life on the planet.

LEARN MORE

2021: Galactic Quest

Designed by Clemson University, the 2021 4‑H STEM Challenge, Galactic Quest, focuses on important STEM topics ranging from physics and engineering to computer science and space agriculture. Galactic Quest explores the history of humans in space, the technology and resources needed for missions and the obstacles humans encounter in orbit.

LEARN MORE

2020: Mars Base Camp

The 2020 4‑H STEM Challenge will explore sending a mission to Mars with the activity, Mars Base Camp. Developed by Google and Virginia Cooperative Extension, Mars Base Camp is a collection of activities that teaches young people ages 8-14 STEM skills like mechanical engineering, physics, computer science and agriculture.

LEARN MORE

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4-H Lead to Change

National 4-H Council — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:48:15 +0000

National 4-H Council inspires young people with the ideas they need to become leaders and positive disruptors in their communities. Through national events such as the national youth summit, Ignite by 4-H , which ignites within each young person the desire to do more.

Each year youth participants, with adult mentors, are given the opportunity to develop, present and implement a 4-H Lead to Change project (LTC). LTC is an enriching continuation of Ignite by 4-H Summit that sparks their interest and drives the desire to do more within every 4-H'er. The process challenges young people to step up and act on a specific issue facing their community.

Youth become catalysts for positive change as they practice and apply real world skills needed for career success and to better their communities. The teams then participate in live evaluations with industry leaders to gain valuable experience and exposure.

Teams are awarded $2,000 to fund and help implement their project in their community. A select number of them can later apply to receive a second round of funding of $5000 based on their ability to scale their impact and work. Thanks to the generosity of our partners, this second round recognizes and allows the 4-Hers to further grow as leaders, cultivating the skills they need to make the best better.

"Before, I would never attempt to understand what is happening around me. Now I’m always seeking opportunities to learn more about what is environmental taking place in my area… Louisiana is my home and I want to see the entire state thrive. It starts with us the next generation of leaders. Every chance I get I try to bring awareness to my friends and peers that they should seek a better understanding of what is taking place around us,” the 2022 Louisiana Coastal Restoration team.

Check out the 2023 inspiring 4-H Lead to Change projects!

It is thanks to the sponsors of the 2023 Ignite by 4-H Summit that we can go beyond a single event to help youth deeply impact their communities.

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CLOVER Content Development Toolkit

Christina Vines — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 18:53:19 +0000

4-H PROFESSIONAL
RESOURCES

Welcome to 4-H
Professional Resources

Find resources for 4-H professionals interested in writing, evaluating, reviewing, and publishing high quality 4‑H educational materials.

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4-H Announces Three Teens as 4-H Tech Changemaker National Ambassadors for 2023

National 4-H Council — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 19:44:21 +0000

Youth With Outstanding Community Impact Will Serve as National Spokespeople for Addressing the Digital Divide and Creating Economic Opportunity

CHEVY CHASE, MD (January 31, 2023) - National 4-H Council today announced the 2023 4-H Tech Changemaker National Ambassadors. They will serve as spokespeople for the program which empowers young people to deliver digital skill-building workshops to adults, resulting in practical, real-world solutions that create economic opportunity and workforce development in local communities. The three teens were selected for their outstanding impact in addressing the digital divide and creating economic opportunities within their communities.

The 4-H Tech Changemakers program trains and equips teens who use their tech savvy to teach adults how to use and leverage digital resources to find employment, including online job seeking, marketing themselves on social media, software use, and more. The $5.75 million investment from coalition partners Verizon, Tractor Supply Company, and Microsoft will allow 4-H teens to bring vital digital skills to more than 35,000 adults across more than 15 states, with a focus on rural regions and communities of color.

The 2023 4-H Tech Changemaker National Ambassadors include:

Ivan Becerril, [18], Nogales, AZ:

Ivan joined the University of Arizona Extension 4-H Tech Changemakers program to help teach adults remote access technology during the pandemic. Over time, he saw a wide range of wants and needs across different groups within his community and began adapting his lessons to teach broader skills, from workforce development and communication to identifying cybersecurity threats. He soon began teaching in Spanish after identifying a strong need for digital skills training and education in his community that borders Mexico. Ivan has educated nearly 3,000 people to date.

"The massive digital divide has robbed the people in my community of opportunities and chances to grow and prosper. Whether I'm teaching in English or Spanish, helping elderly people connect with families, or equipping job seekers with skills that strengthen their resumes, the 4-H Tech Changemakers program has allowed me to make a difference and empower others to improve their own lives," said Ivan.

Zamaria Kinsey, [15], Sunbury, NC:

Zamaria joined the 4-H Tech Changemakers program sponsored by Cooperative Extension at N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University to help her rural community that faces a lack of internet access, speed, and providers, making it difficult for youth to do homework or adults to attend virtual meetings. After she began teaching key digital skills, she saw her tips spread among her community through word of mouth, growing the impact of her work. She is now a staunch advocate for increasing internet access in regions like hers.

"The 4-H Tech Changemakers program came at a perfect time as I noticed a gap in basic computer literacy skills in my community. When I first started leading workshops, people of all ages were new to the basic functions of a computer or how to navigate the internet. The program has helped me bridge this gap and set my community up for success as they continue to learn new skills," said Zamaria.

Hannah Jones, [16], Adairsville, GA:

Hannah joined the University of Georgia Extension 4-H Tech Changemakers program to develop the local workforce so more people can live, work, and thrive in her rural community. While working with her county government, she also noticed the opportunity to teach government employees how to hone their technology skills. Her workshops have educated hundreds of people from a variety of backgrounds and professional industries to date.

"My belief in the untapped potential of my county inspired me to teach digital skills and help strengthen our growing workforce. From teaching educators to use technology and energize their classrooms to leading strong password workshops, the Tech Changemakers program has allowed me to help my community grow and encourage people to step outside of their comfort zones, taking their digital skill sets to new heights," said Hannah.

Through 4-H Tech Changemakers, hundreds of teens are teaching digital skills classes designed to help everyone from small business owners to farmers.

About 4-H Tech Changemakers

4-H Tech Changemakers empowers young people to address the country's widening digital divide by providing them with the education and tools they need to teach digital employability skills, such as online job seeking, social media marketing and software use to adults in their communities. With the support of 4-H's Cooperative Extension network, 19 Land-Grant Universities (LGUs)-9 of which are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)-will prepare 4-H teen leaders to teach critical digital skills to adults in their community. The program recently expanded its commitment to service more than 50,000 adults across 164 communities nationwide.

To learn more, visit 4-H Tech Changemakers.

About 4-H

4-H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

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