RENO - More than six million young people across the country are celebrating National 4-H Week this week, including here in Nevada where more than 40,000 youth are engaged in urban and rural 4-H Programs administered by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension in counties throughout the state.
Currently, more than five million young people across the nation participate in 4-H STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming in topics as varied as robotics, agricultural science, rocketry, wind power, environmental science and alternative energy.
"As a program run by the country's land-grant universities, 4-H aims to engage youth in STEM activities at an early age, so that they will be interested in these areas and pursue higher education and careers in these fields later on down the line," said Frank Flavin, Washoe County Extension educator.
And, according to research, 4-H activities provide an ideal venue not only for engaging youth in science activities, but also for teaching them science-related concepts that they will retain.
Research has proven that participation in 4-H has a significant positive impact on young people in a number of ways. Recent findings from the Tufts University 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that, when compared to their peers, young people in 4-H:
• Report higher levels of academic competence and an elevated level of engagement at school.
• Are 2.2 times more likely to plan to go to college.
• Are two times more likely to participate in STEM learning programs during out-of-school time.
• Are four times more likely to contribute to their communities.
To find out more about 4-H or how your county is celebrating National 4-H Week and 4-H National Youth Science Day, contact your county's University of Nevada Cooperative Extension office.
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