4-H Delivers

Siskiyou County NYSD Event, 2010

The Issue

America has a critical need for more scientists. Although the United States has a long history of innovations and scientific contributions, we have come to a point that we are seeing a workforce shortage in the critical fields of science, engineering and technology.  Schools are also facing a declining number of graduates that are considered proficient in science.

What did 4-H do?

Started in 2008, the goal of the 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) initiative is to address America’s Critical need for more scientists and engineers by engaging 150,000 youth in science, engineering and technology activities by 2013.  As a part of this initiative National Youth Science Day (NYSD) was created.  Now in its third year, millions of young people across America are being provided an opportunity to participate in the “4H₂O” experiment focusing on water quality and climate change.

Siskiyou County 4-H collaborated with Jackson Street Middle School to provide a hands on science day that incorporated the issues of water quality, climate change and water conservation.  With help from event sponsors TOYOTA, Time Warner Cable, California Landscape Contractors Association and the California 4-H Foundation youth were able to participate in hands on activities dealing with CO₂ levels and its impact on water quality, gain understanding of the human impact of the carbon footprint and experiment with the use of superabsorbent polymers to gain insight into water conservation.

The Payoff

Youth from the Siskiyou County Hi 4-H “Teens as Teachers” program were able to provide hands on, inquiry based lessons to over 100 8^th grade students at Jackson Street Elementary.  Now using the knowledge that the 8^th graders learned, they will be teaching the same lessons to the 7^th grade students.  They will be able to gain valuable leadership through science education.

Author: Jacki Zediker, Siskiyou County 4-H Program Representative