The California 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) initiative has achieved tremendous momentum in developing plans and implementing a structure to increase SET programming statewide.  This movement has been in response to one of the three National 4-H Mission Mandates.  These mandates are not meant to be an order or command, but are to provide permission, consent, and encouragement to focus our work around three specific needs; 1) Science, Engineering, and Technology; 2) Healthy Living; and 3) Citizenship.  SET has been the first Mission Mandate to deploy nationally and it is also the first to kick off here in California.

A little history - the SET initiative would identify science, engineering, and technology, not as something new to 4-H, but as the original roots of the land grant university system and extension work starting in the mid and late 1800’s.  Even in the early 1900’s the creation of Corn Clubs sought to educate youth “in the practical arts of scientific agriculture” while learning to safely preserve foods cultivated in home gardens was as a “path to scientific and economic value” via Canning Clubs.

Following World War II, a national 4-H tractor maintenance program was developed in response to a need for  agricultural engineering curriculum.  Then in the early 1960’s a study on “Expanding the Understanding and Use of Science Through 4-H Club Work” recommended developing new science-related projects and adding scientific emphasis to current projects. This included acknowledgment that traditionally 4-H projects focused on “how-to-do” and not so much on the “why.”

During the mid 1980’s six objects in 4-H Youth Development were identified, with one of the objectives focused on these three items 1) inquiring minds; 2) an eagerness to learn; and 3) the ability to apply science, technology, and economic principles.  During this decade development of the 4-H SERIES curriculum was initiated in California.  The 4-H SERIES curriculum helped moved 4-H nationally to look at science education and literacy in a different way by focusing more on the “why.”

By the late 1990’s and early 2000’s there was much discussion about the role of SET in 4-H. A national SET task force began looking at developing the core concepts and elements for the science, engineering, and technology efforts for the Mission Mandate.  The current structure for the SET initiative includes partnering between 4-H at USDA headquarters and the National 4-H Council in a number of subcommittees on program development, evaluation, curriculum, marketing, fund development, management and leadership coordination, and state 4-H SET liaisons.

Science, engineering, and technology just seems like a natural progression for 4-H as a highlighted national mission. What makes 4-H SET different or special?  It is more of an approach then it is a new curriculum or special program.  The elements of 4-H SET include

1. Content or anchors based on science standards,
2. Processes or SET Abilities of doing science, engineering, or technology, and
3. Facilitation of the learning that is experiential, inquiry, and youth development based. 

The balance of content, processes, and facilitation help create an environment for 4-H SET.  This might be using current 4-H projects presented in a different way, or adding new project subject matter, or focusing on certain abilities or skills not covered before.  Including a missing link from the 4-H SET approach may be all that is needed in many project adaptations. The 4-H SET approach may be different than what many of us are accustom to using in our teaching.  It may take some practice for us to learn how to use this approach.  But practice makes perfect and the 4-H SET approach can be used in many settings and with many project topics.

So let’s take a look at what has been happening in the California 4-H science, engineering, and technology initiative.  In June of 2007 a California team attended the National 4-H SET liaison conference in Lincoln, Nebraska to learn about and prepare the stage for SET planning in the state.  The California team included State 4-H SET liaison Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty, Advisors Richard Mahacek and Matthew Portillo, Specialist Rich Ponzio, volunteers Murlin Lee, Bill Woodall, Anne Mahacek and teen Neal Woodall.

In addition to attending training sessions and listening to speakers, the team worked on the state 4-H SET plan.  An outline for the plan was laid out and this was the catalyst for the final version of the state plan of work.

• By late summer of 2007 a state 4-H SET Steering Committee was formed with an 18 month charge to developed the California 4-H SET plans and implementation strategies. The steering committee was comprised of 4-H staff, extension specialists, community representatives, volunteers, and teens.  Working in subcommittees, they focused on curriculum, professional development, and program development. A time line below outlines the accomplishments made thus far in the SET initiative.
• September 2007 - SET Steering Committee formed. The structure and work goals of the committee were proposed for completion by December 2008.
• March 2008 - The California 4-H SET Plan of Work was approved by National 4-H SET team.
• May 2008 – California was selected as one of five states for funding by the Toyota 4-H20 Water Quality Grants.  Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Mateo, and Santa Clara are supported for a year to deliver training and curriculum on water issues.
• June 2008 – The National Science, Engineering, and Technology Launch event was held on Capitol Hill to address 4-H’s commitment to SET and to announce the new 4-H sponsored National Youth Science Day.
• August 2008 - California Representative Dennis Cardoza, U.S. House of Representatives introduces bill to support National Youth Science Day. 
  September 2008 - 4-H staff conference “Ready, SET, Go!” was held at UCD to bring 4-H staff together for a two day event, sharing and highlighting the initiative and encouraging county participation in SET.
• October 2008 - National 4-H Youth Science Day – Many counties conducted the science experiment and celebrations for this new annual event.  Some 4-H programs supplied kits to schools, clubs, and others as a marketing tool to promote 4-H and SET at events, and other locations.  Presentation to recognize Congressman Cardoza for sponsoring NYSD bill made at Lights On Afterschool event in Merced, CA.
• October 2008 - Monthly 4-H SET UPDATES begin sharing information by e-mail on the 15th of each month.  This and other SET resources are posted for 4-H staff on state web site.
• November 2008 – A presentations about 4-H SET were part of the 2008 State 4-H Leaders’ Forum held at Asilomar.  The opening ceremonies general assembly on 4-H SET shared background information, gathered volunteer feedback through electronic voting clickers, and provided an opportunity for volunteers to experience 4-H SET through a tower building activity.  Additional Saturday workshops focused on how to develop county plans of work and other subject matter topics related to SET.
• November 2008 – Counties are encouraged to develop 4-H SET Plans of Work and county teams to implement SET programs locally.  Nearly 30 counties submitted SET Plans of Work by December.  Additional counties submit their plans and by February over 40 counties have 4-H SET Plans of Work.
• November 2008 - Counties with SET plans have an opportunity to apply for $500 start up grants to organize their SET teams. 
• November 2008 - The State 4-H Service Learning opportunity is expanded and offers additional Service Learning Grants specifically for 4-H SET projects.  Ten projects are funded.
• December 2008 – The state 4-H office coordinated a proposal for Children Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) funding using SET as key elements of the proposal.  (pending approval/selection)
• January 2009 – The SET Leadership Team developed a RFP proposal for CSREES water conservation curriculum and is selected for funding to create new national 4-H SET materials call “No More New Water”.  Team members and pilot sites will be recruited shortly.
• January 2009 – UC DANR administration show strong support for the 4-H SET Initiative by providing funding and support for California 4-H SET Academic Coordinator and 4-H Foundation Director.  The 4-H SET Academic Coordinator, Steven Worker, has begun his new assignments as of February 2009.  Steven will work closely with the California 4-H SET Leadership Team in this new role.
• January 2009 – A UC Delivers story on the 4-H SET kick off conference, Ready SET Go is approved.
• February 2009 - Over 200 participate in the 4-H SET Winter Training held at five locations statewide.  Teams from 39 counties take part in the training.  Trainers are recruited for experiential learning sessions and to share five different curriculums.

There is more to come as we move into implementing 4-H SET, including presentations and displays of 4-H SET programs and activities as venues like the upcoming Agriculture and Natural Resources Conference this April.

The 4-H Science Engineering and Technology Mission Mandate may be new to some of us, but science, engineering, and technology has been a part of 4-H since the beginning.  The SET initiative is providing many new ways to help 4-H grow and expand in our counties, state and country.  From new projects in Veterinary Science and Bio Security that keep our roots in agriculture to exploring our environment and natural resources to using computers and building rockets and robots, the 4-H SET initiative is a truly a useful tool and approach for us to use to let others see 4-H in a different light.

Want to learn more about 4-H science, engineering and technology?  Contact your local county 4-H office.
* Historical background based on National 4-H Headquarters Fact Sheet on “A Chronology of National Science, Engineering, and Technology (Set) Issues In 4-H”