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November 2009: Looking for a great way to promote your 4-H SET programs? Since the beginning, 4-H has been a leader in the development and growth of The Coalition for Science After School (CSAS) who has partnered with Time Warner Cable to create a national directory of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning opportunities. It is designed to be widely marketed and to quickly bring visibility to your 4-H SET programs. http://directory.scienceafterschool.org/signup/
November 2009: The New PCS Edventures Challenge Hub has arrived! In honor of the new site, PCS is offering a 30-day free trial with no obligations. Check out this new site filled with hands-on building challenges for students of all ages. From robotics to architecture, you will find wonderful activities for you students to participate in year around. Just go to http://www.pcschallengehub.com and sign up today!
November 2009: Bee a Natural Inquirer and an Investi-gator! Order your copy of the new Bioenergy edition of the Natural Inquirer! Articles include research findings about the use of forest biomass for fueling schools, a comparison of the energy expended to produce wood and steel doors, the use of tree crowns for future energy, and a comparison of the efficiency of transporting wood chips for energy or burning on-site. The Natural Inquirer is also excited to announce its new publication: the Investi-gator. This publication is designed for upper elementary students and was produced in partnership with NRS. Articles include research about changing leaf color, how rising ozone levels affect tree growth, protecting the environment through policies, and a look at soil activity in the wintertime. Please visit www.naturalinquirer.org and www.scienceinvestigator.org and order your free copies!
November 2009: TERRApod is a science vodcast (video podcast) and website for youth ages 10-18. The TerraPod program was launched in 2007 in a collaboration between Montana State University and 4-H. The website is made possible by the Arizona 4-H Program, and their goal is to encourage kids to use filmmaking and the internet when researching topics focused on science and the environment. TerraPod helps youth discover science in a fun and intereactive way by learning how to plan, produce, edit and upload an original 3-5 minute movie on a science or nature topic. Check out one of their videos at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkqfIQ6I-6I.
October 2009: The Energy Information Administration (EIA) this week unveiled Energy Kids featuring more than 100 pages of fun educational content for kids, parents and teachers. The site features energy-related stories, hands-on activities and research articles. Making energy fun can excite young people to develop an understanding of energy and its increasingly important role in our daily lives, economy, and environment. For more information, please visit http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids
October 2009: Uncovering the hidden hazards of hairspray - Is your hairspray or refrigerator contributing to the destruction of the ozone layer? Not anymore, thanks to the work of chemists Mario Molina, F. Sherwood Rowland, and many others. Find out how scientific research revealed the global threat posed by chlorofluorocarbons and influenced policy changes to deal with it. From the Understanding Science Team at http://www.understandingscience.org/article/ozone_depletion_01
October 2009: According to a study at the University of Washington, young children learn best through social interaction. Researchers are studying an emerging field called the "Science of Learning," which re-evaluates how children learn in formal and informal settings. Infants and young children learn from imitation and by following the actions of those around them, adopting mannerisms and speech patterns. The research may suggest that SET education in a positive youth development framework, such as 4-H, may help improve learning. More information on the study is available at http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleID=50883
October 2009: The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is the first comprehensive, authenticated web site established to make information about the world's biodiversity freely available over the Internet. EOL's portal currently includes more than 160,000 authenticated species pages, another 1.4 million base pages, and links to 13 million pages of digitized biodiversity literature. Visit the EOL at http://www.eol.org/
October 2009: Science is an exciting and dynamic process of discovery. The Understanding Science team present a flowchart that shows the real process of scientific inquiry. Use it to trace the development of scientific ideas or the research of individual scientists. You'll see that each scientific journey is unique, shaped by specific people and events. The flowchart is available at http://www.ca4h.org/set/updates/complex_flow_posterv.pdf
October 2009: Program in Education, Afterschool and Resiliency (PEAR), the Noyce Foundation, and 4-H Youth Development offers a searchable website of assessment tools for informal science learning. The goal is to provide information to choose appropriate tools for assessing program quality and outcomes for children and youth. The website is continuously updated in collaboration with the Youth Development Researchers at 4-H. The website is available at http://atis.pearweb.org/
September 2009: 4-H impacts young people's interest in science, engineering and technology! The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (4HSPYD) is a national longitudinal study directed by Tufts University. From 2003 through 2008 over 6,000 youth from 41 states participated in the study, which includes questions around a wide variety of topics, such as academic engagement, family and peer relationships, health behaviors, neighborhood indicators, participation in youth programs, and others. Results from this study demonstrate the importance of the 4-H program in impacting young people’s interest in science, engineering, and technology. Read the two-page summary developed by Katherine Heck, 4-H Center for Youth Development: http://www.ca4h.org/set/updates/4-HSETFactSheet.pdf
September 2009: From UC Berkeley: Science is so critical to our lives, we are regularly targeted by media messages about science in the form of advertising or reporting from the media. Our everyday lives are affected by all sorts of science-related policies — from what additives are allowed (or required) to be mixed in with gasoline, to where homes can be built, to how milk is processed. Understanding the nature of science can make you a better-informed consumer of those messages and policies. Read more about the science toolkit at http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/sciencetoolkit_01
September 2009: Preparing for emergencies is not only good practice but can also help teach fundamental science process skills! Emergency preparedness gives youth a sense of control, equips them with critical life skills, and is a key factor in helping them feel more safe and secure. Scientific knowledge is also empowering, as it helps kids make sense of the world around them. Discovery Education's "Ready Classroom" Emergency Preparedness website contains resources and activities to engage youth in preparing for an emergency. http://readyclassroom.discoveryeducation.com/
September 2009: NASA invests in the Nation’s education programs and supports the country’s educators who play a key role in preparing, inspiring, exciting, encouraging, and nurturing the young minds of today who will be the workforce of tomorrow. NASA offers educational resources for the informal education community, which includes 4-H! Visit the website to find educational resources to bring the space agency’s missions of earth and space science into your 4-H activities. http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/about/index.html
September 2009: National 4-H Council, National 4-H Headquarters, and University of Arizona 4-H, invited all 4-H professionals, staff and volunteers to produce their own digital film for front-line educators and volunteers to help better implement 4-H SET programs. Six videos a range of activities facilitators can use with youth, content to help support our work in delivering science activities, and a step-by-step example of the scientific method. View the videos at http://4-h.org/staffresources/videochallenge/
September 2009: Watch videos of 4-H activities, events and projects on the California 4-H YouTube channel. Videos highlight 4-H SET projects, 4-H clubs, presentations and statewide conferences. If you have a 4-H video to add, please contact Steven Worker at smworker@ucdavis.edu. YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/California4H
August 2009: For those in the Greater Sacramento area: Program Youth Education & Stewardship (YES) offers day hikes and overnight backpacking trips for Sacramento region youth groups and schools. Through a series of outings, youth learn about the environment they live in, around, and how they can be better stewards of their environment. For more information about this program and how your group can get involved contact Gina Silvernale at outreach@sacramentovalleyconservancy.org
August 2009: Year of Science 2009: April showers bring May flowers, but what about August? It could be pretty hot! Hotter than normal? Are we talking weather or climate? NASA suggests an easy way to remember: "climate is what you expect, like a very hot summer, and weather is what you get, like a hot day with pop-up thunderstorms." August celebrates weather and climate at http://www.yearofscience2009.org/themes_weather_climate/celebrate/
August 2009: A new survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center, shows a growing gap between scientists and public belief on a number of issues. While overwhelming majorities say that science has had a positive effect on society and that science has made life easier for most people, just 17% of the public thinks that U.S. scientific achievements rate as the best in the world. These differences in scientific knowledge and public belief illustrate a need for engaging our future leaders in science, engineering and technology education. Survey data is available at http://people-press.org/report/528/
July 2009: 4-H SET Marketing: New publicity and marketing materials are now available for California 4-H SET. 4-H staff may access the MS Publisher templates in the 4-H Information System (WRP) under 4-H SET Marketing & Promotion. PDF versions are available here:
July 2009: Celebrate Astronomy! Ever hear of a quadricentennial? Well, astronomy is one of the oldest sciences and 2009 marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo's use of a telescope to study the skies. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. http://www.yearofscience2009.org/themes_astronomy/celebrate/
July 2009: Real world test results -- The world is a messy place. For example, even in the best transit systems in the world, one can't predict *precisely* when the 5:15 bus will arrive. In the same way, scientists' test results rarely match their expectations *exactly*. Learn how scientists deal with real, messy data in this side trip http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/real_world_results
July 2009: The National Science Foundation (NSF) today released the first in a series of video programs called Science Nation, which examine breakthroughs and the possibilities for new discoveries about our planet, our universe and ourselves. Each program features a two-minute and five-minute version. The first episode, released on June 1, focuses on what we can learn from organisms that can live and thrive in frozen deserts or steaming-hot volcanic vents. These "freak" organisms may offer clues about possible life away from Earth. Subsequent episodes will be released every Monday and will be featured on http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/extremophile.jsp
July 2009: The UC Biotechnology workgroup provides educational resources focused broadly on issues related to agriculture, crops, animals, foods and the technologies used to improve them. Science-based information related to these issues is available, as well as educational tools and information, which can be used to promote informed participation in discussion about these topics. Tools include educational displays, handouts, tic-tac-grow game, and the GENEie Juice Bar interactive activity. http://ucbiotech.org/
May 2009: PEAR (Program in Education, Afterschool and Resiliency) is a new resource designed to help practitioners, evaluators, researchers and policymakers select instruments to assess science learning and child outcomes in out-of-school programs. Afterschool programs are gaining recognition as settings that hold great potential for increasing scientific literacy and engagement in youth. Evaluating afterschool science programming is essential for ensuring and improving the quality of informal science experiences for youth. More information is available at atis.pearweb.org.
May 2009: Engineering is the study of the method of designing machines, systems and structures to fulfill a specific purpose, and of the implementation, testing and maintenance of such items using scientific principles. AcademicInfo is an online engineering education resource center with extensive subject guides and distance learning information. The mission is to provide free, independent and accurate information and resources for prospective and current students (and other researchers). http://www.academicinfo.net/engring.html
May 2009: The Coalition for Science After School supports the spread of high quality STEM opportunities for youth in after-school by connecting the efforts in research, program development, professional development, and advocacy. A wiki website hosted by the Coalition provides resources in STEM in after-school programs, afterschool program effectiveness, attitudes and student performance, formal & informal science education, science & engineering workforce, and advocacy resources. http://scienceafterschool.wikispaces.com/
May 2009: The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) adopted a position statement bringing attention to the important role that parents and other caregivers play in their children’s science learning at home, in school, and throughout the community. The statement—Parent Involvement in Science Learning—encourages parents to be actively involved in their children’s science learning because it is crucial to their children’s interest in and ability to learn science. http://www.nsta.org/about/positions/parents.aspx?lid=exp
May 2009: The book, Taking Science Education Beyond the Classroom, provides learning opportunities and experiences for students that just aren’t available within school walls. The contains a wealth of ideas on how to teach science successfully. These carefully selected articles from the NSTA journals Science Scope and Science and Children were gathered into a compendium because of the value of informal science education in providing access to those experiences and in tapping into student interests. http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9781933531373
May 2009: Why is science important? Alom Shaha, a physics teacher at an inner city, comprehensive school in the United Kingdom, answers that question in a film. The film features high-profile scientists, writers, and teachers about why they felt science was important. http://whyscience.co.uk/
May 2009: The American Chemical Society publishes ByteSize Science, an all-ages trip to the frontiers of knowledge. Bytesize Science translates scientific discoveries into intriguing stories about science, medicine, energy, food and much more. Get tweets at http://twitter.com/BytesizeScience or the full website at http://www.bytesizescience.com/
April 2009: The science education community has long sought to establish a coherent science education system to provide all students with the knowledge and skills necessary for life in the 21st century. Benchmarks for Science Literacy and the National Science Education Standards (NSES) have brought us closer to this goal. National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is leading an effort called Science Anchors to bring greater focus, clarity, and coherence to science education. The vision Science Anchors to serve as a model for K–12 science education standards that draws from current national standards documents, but would be more streamlined and focused. Science content will be organized around a small number of big ideas rooted in the major fields of science that develop over the K–12 span, and crosscutting concepts and skills that would unite the disciplines in a deep, meaningful way. Please help us by taking a short survey to share your ideas about how this initiative should progress at http://scienceanchors.nsta.org/
April 2009: 4-H Research and Evaluation Funding has been secured from National 4-H Council to support the Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) evaluation design created by a national 4-H SET Evaluation Design team. The evaluation design will include an implementation study that will examine how institutions’ SET efforts are being carried out as well as an annual Youth Engagement, Attitudes and Knowledge survey.
April 2009: Would young people learn science better if it were packaged in a videogame? That's the question at the heart of the Selene project. Selene studies videogame learning and the ways researchers can assess how effectively that learning takes place. Players create their own moon and then pepper it with impact craters and flood it with lava. It's a great opportunity for students to learn about lunar geology while helping researchers study some key videogame design principles. The Center for Educational Technologies® at Wheeling Jesuit University created the Selene online game to see how organizations like NASA could best use videogames to introduce important science concepts. More information is available at http://selene.cet.edu/
April 2009: The 2009-2010 Teacher Resource Guide (TRG), compiled by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, is a tool for professionals and volunteers encouraging the agricultural literacy of California's youth. Resources that assist in teaching about agriculture are plentiful. The guide provides an all-encompassing look at the array of materials that readily support such an endeavor. http://www.cfaitc.org/trg/
April 2009: SCA and the US Fish and Wildlife Service are offering over 45 paid internships for college students and recent graduates from ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds. Although these internships are designed to provide ethnically and culturally diverse students the opportunity to learn about conservation science, management, and careers through "real world" research, management, and communication projects as an adjunct to academic learning in the lab and classroom, these opportunities are open to all interested candidates. Apply online at http://www.thesca.org
April 2009: Completed the National 4-H Curriculum "Power of Wind" and now ready for a larger project? It's EASY to make your own power when you build and install your own wind turbine! Harnessing the wind can be a tricky business, but in the book "Homebrew Wind Power", the authors provide step-by-step, illustrated instructions for building a wind generator in a home workshop. Even if you don't plan on building your own turbine, this book is packed with valuable information for anyone considering wind energy. It covers the basic physics of how the energy in moving air is turned into electricity, and most importantly, gives a realistic idea of what wind energy can do for you--and what it can't. http://otherpower.com/
March 2009: ACA is pleased to announce a new Environmental Leadership Program available through the Lilly Endowment Inc. funded Camp 2 Grow Project. The Environmental Leadership Program is a leadership course that teaches middle and high-school aged youth fundamental leadership knowledge and skills in a nature-based setting. The nucleus of the course is the LifeKnowledge® program, a cutting-edge leadership curriculum designed to be integrated into a typical camp schedule and completed within a two-week period. Camps can customize the Environmental Leadership Program by selecting lessons most appropriate to achieve camp-specific goals. Thirty-five camps will be selected to participate in the pilot during the summer of 2009. If your camp meets the criteria for involvement, and you'd like to be considered as a pilot site, then please contact Andrea Stearley at astearley@ACAcamps.org or call (765) 349-3305.
http://www.acacamps.org/inside/09_03/C2G_Environmental_Leadership_Program.pdf
March 2009: Air - The Search for One Clean Breath is a biography of air — the invisible character essential to all life. With state-of-the art animation and live action, take a guided tour of the story of air, from its ancient beginnings to today's clean air technologies. On your journey, meet renowned scientists and scholars worldwide who are discovering the mysteries of air. Screenings are taking place in April and May in Southern California (Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Diego). http://www.vcapcd.org/AirTheFilm/
March 2009: Energy Quest is the award-winning energy education website of the California Energy Commission. Energy is an integral part of our daily lives. Teaching an "energy ethic" to conserve finite resources is essential to our energy future, which is currently dependent on fossil fuels. We also must rely on our youth to help us create new ways to harness the elemental forces of our planet and the universe. Take youth on an “energy quest” by visiting the Energy Commission’s educational website — Energy Quest — at: www.energyquest.ca.gov
March 2009: The “No Boundaries” project was developed by NASA in collaboration with USA TODAY Education to help youth explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and to learn about NASA. Individual or group projects can be entered in the No Boundaries National Competition. While the instructions are in a school context, youth groups like 4-H and individuals are eligible to participate. Deadline is May 15, 2009. For more information, visit: http://www.noboundaries-stemcareers.com/
March 2009: Nature-Watch officers a wide variety of hands-on materials for teaching children about protecting the earth. Our new Eco-Bag Activity Kit is both fun and educational.
- Eco-Solutions Activity Kit - Imagine the experience of making paper out of leaves, flowers, newspaper and other "throw-aways" without a blender.
- Earth-opoly Game - Players become the caretakers of wondrous locations around the planet, then increase their property value by collecting Carbon Credits and trading them in for Clean Air.
- Renewable Energy Science Kit - This great activity teaches children all about wind power through 20 different experiments. Build a working wind turbine to harness power out of thin air.
- Keeping Our Earth Green Book - Over 100 hands-on ways children (and adults!) can help save the earth.
March 2009: Searchable database of open jobs for food, agricultural and natural resources careers, produced through a Cooperative Agreement between USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service and Purdue University. http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/USDA/careers/
March 2009: Today’s classrooms have no real walls! Students explore the world on field trips, during virtual journeys on the world wide web, and through the books they read. These pathways help them fly to the ends of the universe to satisfy their scientific curiosity. The NSTA/CBC Review Panel recommends Outstanding Science Trade Books for youth K–12. Their recommendations encourage young readers to fly Over the Rivers, brave the Antarctic with Emperors of the Ice, come Face to Face With Elephants, or help a family of mountain gorillas Looking for Miza. There are journeys to microworlds as well, inviting students into Dr. Frankenstein’s lab to investigate the human body, to search nests for Eggs, or work with a National Geographic scientist to explore Genetics. http://www.nsta.org/publications/ostb/ostb2009.aspx
February 2009: A recent study funded by the Motorola Foundation and conducted by the Girl Scouts of the USA has released research identifying the three keys to engaging girls in science and math: Make it Real, Make it Relevant, Make it Possible. To access full details of the study, visit: http://www.girlscouts.org/news/news_releases/2008/motorola_foundation.asp.
February 2009: A great resource for anyone involved in 4-H SET programs is the Great Science for Girls website. http://www.edequity.org/gsg/ contains resources, literature and research to demonstrate to funders and community members the positive outcomes and success of programs engaging girls in STEM, science, technology, engineering and math.
February 2009: A new resource available to 4-H educators working with GIS technology has been released. The ESRI GIS Bibliography is available online for free and is contains over 75,000 entries on research for geographic information science (GIS) and geographic information system (GIS) technology. Visit http://training.esri.com/library/ for more information.
February 2009: A $7 million grant provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been set up for Connected Nation and the American Library Association. California has been named one of the states with libraries in need of improved internet connections. The grant will help libraries across California to provide more efficient technology for all youth in need of accessing research and information available on the internet. More information is available at http://broadbandcensus.com/blog/?p=1141
February 2009: 4-H members, volunteers and staff who are in the Orange County area may want consider a visit to the Discovery Cube in Santa Ana, CA. Click here for a brochure of the many science programs available to youth afterschool, trainings available for science educators as well.
February 2009: For staff: A monthly resource provided for the staff of UC Cooperative Extension is the Latino Briefs Digest. Click here to view a full searchable version of the Feb. issue. This month’s highlights include research on the rates of foreign-born residents earning advanced degrees exceeding those of native-born residents.
February 2009: PBS has provided a resource to 4-H volunteers and staff to share ideas and information on teaching students about sustainability and the environment. This new, free environmental resource is focused on after-school programs working with 9-12 year old students. To download the free Activity Guide, visit: http://meetthegreens.pbskids.org/features/. Contact Gay L. Mohrbacher at 617-300-5308 for more information.
February 2009: The State 4-H Office has 4-H SET Materials available for check-out by County 4-H Offices. County 4-H Staff may contact Steven Worker at smworker@ucdavis.edu to inquire about availability of these.
February 2009: 4-H Record Books: Science, Engineering and Technology Abilities & Life Skills: 4-H
members may want to include specific science, engineering and
technology (SET) abilities and life skills in their Annual Project
Reports and 4-H Story. These SET Abilities focus on learning and doing
science, engineering and technology. http://www.ca4h.org/4hresource/ir/recordbook/2009SETLifeSkills.pdf
December 2008: For the latest research on the relationships identified between youth and digital media, the MacArthur Foundation has released a research study, Living and Learning with New Media: Summary of Findings from the Digital Youth Project. Visit:
http://digitalyouth.ischool.berkeley.edu/report for more information and to read the full report.
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