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Ohio 4-H Youth Development

Ohio State University Extension

CFAES

Stark County 4-H STEM Engages 650 Youth

Participating in Rockets Away activities.

In Stark County, 4-H STEM activities were the focus in school, out of school, at a housing community, and with other youth-serving organizations.

David Crawford, 4-H Educator, reports more than 650 youth participated in STEM programs (during the 2019 calendar year) that included Chick Quest, ten-minute science activities, and Rockets Away. In addition to increasing their subject-area knowledge, students developed an understanding of a wide variety of STEM careers. Participants looking at eggs in the incubator.

Both adult and teen volunteers were trained to facilitate activities. Eleven teens learned how to teach the Chick Quest curriculum at the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility. The training led Indian River administrators to request more 4-H involvement at the facility with additional STEM activities, 4-H Pet Pals visits and career education.

The STEM activities will continue at these locations and more, thanks to an Ohio 4-H Foundation grant that helped start it all.

Youth were excited to participate in the 4-H Chick Quest Program as demonstrated by their following comments: Participant pictured with chicks.

  • “Are there chickens in there?”  (in the egg)
  • “Can you eat those…?”
  • “I can’t believe they came out the shell…”
  •  “This is awesome…I can’t believe they really popped out!”
  • “Can I hold one?”

Click here to find more information on Ohio 4-H School Enrichment activities. Working on Rockets Away activities.

Participating in school enrichment activities.