4-H Innovators: STEM Programming on a Budget Jennie Hargrove County Youth Coordinator Madison County ISU Extension & Outreach

What is 4-H Innovators? Free, research-based, web-based 4-H curriculum Located at www.fyflnetwork.org Developed by Alabama 4-H Funding from Barbra D. Thorne Family and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) Developed based on “inquiry learning” concept Focus on letting 4-H’ers explore their curiosity Engineering in “learn by doing” format

Background ACES 4-H Regional Extension Agent Primary delivery method = In School Had a need for curriculum that was: STEM focused Inexpensive to deliver to a large audience (appx. 2400 youth per month) Focused on careers available in Alabama (automobile industry, healthcare industry, ag) 4-H Innovators was born 4-H Regional Extension Agent Piloted the program Made edits to curriculum Suggested new activities, assisted with development

4-H Innovators (4-Hi) Curriculum 4-H Innovators Introductory Lessons 4-Hi Does Ag (Agriculture) 4-Hi Goes Fast (Automobiles) Unpublished online at this time 4-Hi Biomedical Engineering New in 2015 Currently being piloted, not available for use

4-H Innovators is… Relatable Use of cartoon characters with videos Showcases careers with which youth are familiar http://www.fyflnetwork.org/4hinnovators/4-hi-character- descriptions/

4-H Innovators is… Inexpensive Supply lists are developed to be low in cost Supply lists are flexible and can be varied when necessary Engineering projects are done in groups of ~4

Spaghetti Towers Going with the Flow

4-H Innovators is… Simple Does not require a science educator’s background or any training in STEM The curriculum is well-written and easy to follow The curriculum is easy to manipulate to fill varying time slots or to suit different audiences Is adaptable to youth of varying ages

4-H Innovators is… Fun Provides youth a chance to explore new ideas Provides youth a change to build projects like an engineer—hands on! Provides a platform for youth to do group work When delivering this program, do not think of yourself as an educator—instead think of yourself as a guide, leading youth through their engineering design process

4-H Innovators is… Engaging Challenge by choice Lessons are prepared in two parts: Common Experience Investigation WMS success story

Lesson Prep Choose a lesson and review the materials Purchase or gather supplies Make copies If desired, prepare kits

Lesson Facilitation Pose questions to your participants Let them lead the discussion Give them time to talk about the common experience Let them pose investigable questions For some lessons where supplies need to be chosen then distributed, volunteers or cooperating teachers can be very helpful—act as “shopkeeper”

4-H Innovators Introductory Lesson #3 Spaghetti Towers 4-H Innovators Introductory Lesson #3

What is a tower?

What makes a tower different than other buildings?

What are some examples of local towers?

What are some examples of famous towers?

Rule #1 Build the Tallest Freestanding Structure: Freestanding means the structure cannot be attached to the table with tape or suspended from a higher structure, like a chair, ceiling, or chandelier. The winning team is the one that has the tallest structure measured from the table top surface to the top of the marshmallow.

Rule #2 The Entire Marshmallow Must Be On Top: The entire marshmallow needs to be on the top of the structure. Cutting or eating part of the marshmallow disqualifies the team.

Rule #3 Use as Much or as Little of the Kit: Team can use as many or as few of the 20 spaghetti sticks, as much or as little of the string or tape. The team cannot use the paper bag as part of its structure.

Rule #4 Break up the Spaghetti, String or Tape: Teams are free to break the spaghetti and to cut up the tape and string to create new structures.

Rule #5 The Challenge Lasts 18 minutes: Teams cannot hold on to the structure when the time runs out. Those touching or supporting the structure at the end of the exercise will be disqualified.

Questions?

It’s time to construct! You have 18 minutes.

Time is up! Let’s measure!

Discussion

Why did we build spaghetti towers? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0_yKBitO8M

Questions about your experience?

4-H Innovators Eight lessons available online Ten more lessons available soon from Alabama 4-H—stay tuned! http://www.fyflnetwork.org/4hinnovators/

Questions. Comments. Thoughts to share Questions? Comments? Thoughts to share? Jennie Hargrove County Youth Coordinator Madison County 515-462-1001 Hargrove@iastate.edu