What has ten 9- to 14-year-olds, at least one volunteer leader, thousands of LEGO pieces, and a supportive 4-H Extension agent?
In 2005, the National Assessment of Educational Progress reported that only 18 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in science. Currently, only 5 percent of U.S. college undergraduates earn degrees in science and engineering. There is growing concern that the nation’s long-standing role as a global leader in math, science, and engineering is slipping.
The national 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) initiative is designed to pull together the resources of the Cooperative Extension system to help strengthen U.S. competitiveness in math and science. The goal of the initiative is to prepare one million young people to excel in science, engineering, and technology.
The Virginia 4-H program has responded to this challenge, and opportunity, by forming its own SET effort. “We formed a SET committee to promote ways that 4-H’ers can get involved in science-related projects. This group provides support to 4-H agents who are interested in bringing science programs to their local youth,” says Kathleen Jamison, 4-H Extension specialist for curriculum and learning. Read the full story in Solutions.
