4-H Delivers

Inyo County 4-H is Wired for Wind

The Issue:
The 4-H Youth Development Program in Inyo & Mono Counties serves rural youth that are geographically isolated. This rural region is also isolated to many other benefits available to a center of commerce such as science education. The 2011 National Youth Science Experiment, Wired for Wind, was a successful way to bring cutting edge science curriculum to the counties’ youth. In addition, by offering this engaging experiment, the 4-H program hoped to spark a youth interest in science early in life. 

 

What has 4-H Done?:
Inyo & Mono Counties 4-H partnered with the local annual 6th grade Outdoor Science School. On October 11 and 13, at the science camp, two sixth grade classes participated in the experiment that 4-H members delivered. The National Science Experiment was scheduled to occur during the student’s free time in the evening. Even with attendance being optional, over 40 youth participated in the experiment.

 

The Payoff:
Offering the youth a free-choice informal science opportunity increased their interest in science. This was an optional activity and youth participated because they were interested. Youth who participated were very engaged, staying longer than the hour given to design and build their wind turbine. The experiment also sparked the interest of the teachers and 4-H members who happened to be at the camp. Both of teachers present at the camp requested a follow-up visit to offer the experiment to their entire class. One 4-H member who participated requested to take the experiment to his 4-H community club meeting and lead the activity there.