Source: Torey Earle, Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Development, Science, Engineering, and Technology 

 

Whether piloting drones, coding computers or building rockets, young people across Kentucky are finding dynamic ways to put their passion for STEM to work, with help from Kentucky 4-H’s Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) program. 

The program is designed to introduce young people to a wide array of developing fields of study, help them gain new technical skills and prepare them for possible careers in fast-growing STEM industries. Interested youth can explore a range of topics through 4-H SET clubs, camps and workshops, including aerospace and rocketry, agriscience, computer science and coding, electricity and energy, petroleum power and robotics. 

“Since 2022, the Kentucky 4-H SET core area has averaged over 45,000 Kentucky 4-Hers participating in STEM-related programs,” said Torey Earle, Extension specialist for 4-H Youth Development, Science, Engineering and Technology. “In addition to current programming, Kentucky 4-H SET is working to introduce new projects for youth including drones (both manual flight and coding for autonomous flight) and 3D design and printing. These will both contribute to not only current life skills but also career-readiness in STEM-related fields.” 

STEM-driven 4-Hers can put their technical abilities to the test by participating in competitions on the local, state and national level in fields such as aerospace, robotics and engineering design. In recent years, Kentucky 4-H teams have taken part in the America Rocketry Challenge National Finals, which invites the top 100 qualifying teams of middle- and high-school students each year to compete among the nation’s best in designing, building and launching model rockets.    

Young people interested in applying their STEM skills to real-world problems can also join the National 4-H Stem Challenge. This year’s topic, “Food for Thought,” focuses on the local and global impacts of food security and how youth can help to build more food-secure communities. 

Those who would like to take a more active role in STEM education in their local communities and across the Commonwealth are invited to apply for the SET Teen Leadership Board, which works together each year to create and present fun, high-quality projects and programming at 4-H events to energize STEM learning for audiences of all ages.  

By participating in Kentucky 4-H SET programs, young people can gain valuable skills and experiences to better prepare them for adult life, including: 

• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities 

• Hands-on technical skills using new technologies, tools and software 

• Teamwork experience 

• Leadership abilities 

• Introduction to high-demand careers in STEM fields such as engineering, computer science, and environmental science 

To learn more about the Kentucky 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology program and how you can participate, contact the 4-H youth development agent at the (COUNTY NAME) office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.   

  

# # #   

  

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.            

The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment news and communications team provides monthly Extension Exclusives in the categories of Horticulture, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H and Family and Consumer Sciences. To see more exclusives, visit https://exclusives.ca.uky.edu.     

 

---

4-H