Making a Difference
2013 - 2014
Youth Development Program Focus Team
Science Discovery and Exploration
Grand
Challenges
K-State Research
and Extension:
providing education
you can trust to help
people, businesses,
and communities
solve problems,
develop skills, and
build a better future.
Situation
America faces a future of intense global competition with a startling shortage of scientists.
Only 5 percent of current U.S. college graduates earn science, engineering, or technology
degrees, and student science test scores have been declining. These statistics, coupled
with the record number of retirements in science and engineering fields, leave the nation
unable to keep up with the increasing demand for trained professionals.
4-H Youth Development has an extraordinary opportunity to reaffirm its legacy as a leader
in hands-on, nonformal science education. Understanding and appreciating the role of
science is even more critical as the needs of society and the workforce change. Now, more
than ever, educators must ensure that the nation’s youth develop the competencies and
abilities necessary for the United States to remain competitive in the 21st century.
What We Did
Susan Schlichting
Agent, 4-H
Youth Development
785-628-9430
sschlich@ksu.edu
Pamela Van Horn
Specialist, 4-H
Youth Development
785-532-5800
pvanhorn@ksu.edu
4-H science programs encourage youth with hands-on learning experiences designed to
inspire young minds. Extension professionals and volunteer leaders across Kansas offered
youth a variety of opportunities for scientific inquiry through participation in National
Youth Science Day, day camps, 4-H project meetings, and after-school programs.
Outcomes
4-H members are nearly twice as likely as nonmembers to participate in science programs
outside of school.
Success Story
Shawnee County 4-H worked with employees from Bartlett and West Engineers to present
the “Maps and Apps” science experiment to two fourth-grade classrooms in Topeka. The
engineers explained how maps are made, and students gained a new appreciation of the
importance of learning geometry and other math and science concepts.
A fourth-grade teacher commented, “The ‘Maps and Apps’ experiment was a wonderful
program for my students. Not only did they learn about the process of map-making,
but the activity provided an example of how their newly acquired geometry knowledge
(points, lines, and polygons) is useful in the real world. All this while practicing
collaboration and teamwork — wow! Thank you!”
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.