Facebook
X (Twitter)
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
Delicious
LinkedIn
StumbleUpon
4-H Delivers
Alameda County Small Machines Workshop
The Issue:
The 4-H SET (Science, Engineering, and Technology) initiative is designed to promote science among youth and create one million new scientists. The goals of the California 4-H SET Initiative are to improve 4-H members’ understanding of science and help address the critical need for more scientists and engineers in the workforce.
What has 4-H done?:
An adult volunteer and a youth member developed a hands-on, inquiry-based workshop entitled “Cardboard Automaton-Simple Machines Workshop.” This workshop explores simple machine elements such as cams, levers, and linkages. The leaders of the workshop led the groups in the making of a simple machine with everyday household objects. The participants were taught the basics of simple machines and were encouraged to use creativity and problem-solving skills to accomplish a task. More importantly, the participants learned how to teach the curriculum to other groups.
This workshop was conducted at a wide range of 4-H and community events. It was presented at club meetings, the County Leaders’ Council meeting, twice at the California 4-H State Leadership Conference, and at the California State Leaders Forum. It was also presented at local schools and at the Livermore Civic Library 4-H Information Day.
The Payoff:
The workshop was presented to both 4-H youth members and adult volunteers throughout California, along with afterschool presentations in the community which educated local students. This workshop had a wide impact, reaching across all levels of California 4-H, from clubs to state conferences, throughout the community, and across the state. This impact is due to the fact that not only did a large number of participants attend the workshops, but then they were inspired to explore further independently, as well as share what they had already learned with others. This project supported the goals of the California 4-H SET Initiative by increasing interest in engineering and technology among both 4-H and non-4-H youth.
