© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Urban Youth Development Office SERVICE LEARNING IN 4-H: Leadership and Learning as Pathways to Higher Education FEBRUARY 11, 2012 MNSACA/MNAEYC ANNUAL CONFERENCE

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. URBAN 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT  Our Approach  Programs and Partners  Embedded Curricula Urban Youth Learn Urban Youth Lead

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. OUR APPROACH We develop, pilot, and share models of improving the learning and leadership of urban young people. We Help Youth –Explore interests, –Develop 21 st century workforce skills, –Connect to higher education & careers

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS  Experiential Learning  Flow  Youth Leadership  Essential Elements of Youth Development

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING  Doing  Reflecting  Applying Learning by Doing ApplyReflect Do 1. Experience the activity; perform, do it 2. Share the results, reactions, observations publicly 3. Process By discussing, looking at the experience; analyze, reflect 5. Apply what was learned to a similar or different situation; practice 4.Generalize to connect the experience to real-world examples Adapted from Experiential Learning, by D.A. Kolb, 1984, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Copyright 1984 by Prentice Hall.

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. 6 FLOW

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. YOUTH LEADERSHIP  A type of personal leadership –Youth understand their world –Youth name their place in the world –Youth build skills and knowledge to help them get where they want to go …youth become the authors of their lives.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS Belonging A positive relationship with a caring adult An inclusive environment A safe environment Mastery Engagement in learning Learning new skills Independence Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future Opportunity for self- determination Generosity Opportunity to value and practice service for others

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. SERVICE LEARNING  How do you define it?  Different understandings –Affects attitudes about participation  Service and learning at high levels

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. TRANSFORMING SERVICE INTO SERVICE-LEARNING Scenario: Your group has done an annual river clean-up service project for many years at a river in your community.  How could your group transform this activity into a service-learning project?

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. SERVICE LEARNING IN URBAN 4-H PrepareActReflect Celebrate

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. PREPARATION: IDENTIFY  Identify a need  Resources  Set goals –Service –Learning

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. PREPARATION: PLANNING  Engage youth  Develop work plan  Link to curriculum  Address safety, risks  Communicate regularly  Plan reflection, celebration, evaluation

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. ACTION  Meaningful service  Clarity of expectations  Build relationships  Documentation  Duration and Intensity

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. REFLECTION  Purpose  Best Practices –Varying and Vary Options  Group Activities  Journal  Portfolio

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. PATHWAYS TO COLLEGE OR CAREER Reflect Opportunity to reflect on what they have learned during their experience Explore interests Connect Create connections between their interests, new skills or knowledge gained to opportunities in school or work Create Research requirements for a program/field Develop a plan to accomplish Program support: access to academic or work experiences

© 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. EXAMPLES  Exploring interests, new things  Participation in public debates/policy  Teaching others  Mapping

© 2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. The Urban Youth Development Office Thanks You! Erica Gates, M.A. Jessica Jerney, M.Ed. (612)