Kentucky 4-H Minimizes Barriers to STEM Education

<p>Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs are a national priority. The increase in the number of jobs that require a STEM-minded workforce raises the demand for education systems and communities to focus on fostering the development of STEM competencies of students. American youth are not gaining the skills necessary to compete in the global workforce. This study investigates how Kentucky 4-H minimizes the barriers of accessing STEM programs for youth in grades 4-8. Barriers of accessing STEM programs investigated are: lack of funding and resources, time, professional development, integration across curriculum, and out-of-school experiences. 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the world. Areas of national focus in 4-H curriculum include: STEM, agriculture, citizenship, and healthy living. This study surveyed all 120 Kentucky counties via an online questionnaire in October 2017. Sixty-five county-based 4-H professionals responded. The instrument contained Likert-type and investigative questions probing STEM-related programming offered within the county 4-H program. Questions within the instrument investigated the use of national science standards, national 4-H standards, and barriers identified through existing literature. The study found that 4-H professionals implement the use of national science curriculum and 4-H curriculum as they offer STEM programming within their county, which is predominately funded by Cooperative Extension monies. 4-H programs utilize experiential learning approaches through interdisciplinary lessons in STEM that empower youth to develop competencies related to the Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development, The Engineering Design Process and The Experiential Learning Model. This research can be utilized in the future to expand STEM programming opportunities for youth in Kentucky. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

Eastern Kentucky University

Year

2018

Author dc:creator

• Noble, Rachel Elizabeth

• 4-H
• engineering
• Next Generation Science Standards
• positive youth development
• science
• STEM
• Civic and Community Engagement
• Science and Mathematics Education

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2018 Rachel Elizabeth Noble

Repository record dc:identifier

https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/548

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:encompass.eku.edu:etd-1546