4-H Delivers

Cardboard Automaton Workshop

The Issue

Engaging today's youth in Science, Engineering, and Technology (S.E.T.) education is a priority of the 4-H Youth Development Program. 4-Her Jessica Choi took on the challenge and collaborated with Dr. B. William Choi to create a hands-on, inquiry-based curricula entitled "Cardboard Automaton- Simple Machines Workshop." This workshop explores the ideas of simple machine elements such as cams, levers, and linkages.

What has 4-H Done?

4-H has provided the platform for Jessica to engage others with her curricula; since its development, she has presented her workshop at the Livermore Civic Library 4-H Information Day, the Alameda County Leader's Council meeting, the Del Arroyo 4-H Club Science Project meeting, and the California State Leadership Conference. Over 127 youth and adults have participated in Jessica's workshop, learning about simple machine elements and bringing these ideas back to their communities.

The Payoff

Jessica has recently received funding from the 4-H SET Leadership Team to further expand her efforts in the 4-H SET Initiative. Furthermore, her Cardboard Automaton curricula is currently being reviewed for possible inclusion in the 4-H SET Library. Jessica won the 2010 Golden Clover Award in the category of Robert Brownlee Science for her efforts and success in creating the Cardboard Automaton Workshop.

Author: Annalee Sanborn, State 4-H Office Student Assistant, asanborn@ucdavis.edu