2024PDC

Track: Program & Project Development, 4-H Youth Development

Description: Developing a talented, diverse workforce of STEM professionals is imperative for addressing society’s most pressing challenges. Engaging youth in STEM programs, especially before middle school, is critical for strengthening the STEM talent pipeline. This session will equip participants with knowledge and skills to facilitate project-based learning opportunities focused on real-world challenges that build youth’s problem-solving and technical communication skills and introduce youth to STEM career pathways. Participants will work through abbreviated versions of a series of activities that guide students through the engineering design process, including identifying and understanding a problem; applying concepts and skills from multiple STEM disciplines to design, build, test, and optimize a solution; and communicating the design process and impacts of their solution. Adaptations of the core engineering design activity will be discussed to highlight the transdisciplinary nature of this framework for identifying and solving problems. These activities can be used as grab-and-go lessons or organized into a series culminating in a project.

Presenter: Danielle Lay, 4-H STEM Extension Specialist

Track: Program & Project Development, 4-H Youth Development

Description: Designed by the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Science Action Club makes it easy and fun to lead hands-on STEM—no experience necessary! Through games, projects, and exciting investigations, Science Action Club inspires youth to explore nature, contribute to authentic citizen science research, and design strategies to protect the planet.

Presenters: Christie Jacob, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Vigo County; Emily Brown, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Vigo County; Natalie Korniak, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Clay County

Track: Program & Project Development, 4-H Youth Development

Description: Become a Grill Master! This year Extension Educators Emily Christ and Robby Kelly designed a 4-part series on outdoor cooking for 4-H youth. Youth gained skills on outdoor cooking appliances, food safety, healthy eating, menu planning, and flavor parings. Three of the sessions were education-based, giving youth the confidence in using outdoor equipment, increasing their food safety awareness. The fourth session was a BBQ challenge where youth worked in teams to create their dishes and were evaluated by a panel of judges.

Presenters: Robby Kelly, CED and 4-H Youth Development Educator, Elkhart County; Emily Christ, HHS Educator, Elkhart County

Track: Program & Project Development, 4-H Youth Development

Description: Clover Crate is a "4-H Club Year in a Box" resource that involves thoughtful planning, organization, and attention to detail. The goal is to provide volunteers with everything they need to facilitate engaging, educational, and fun experiences for club members. From traditional favorites to innovative new experiences, Clover Crate selection ensures a robust and fulfilling journey for every participant. Join us as we cultivate skills, foster connections, and make memories that will last a lifetime in the dynamic world of 4-H.

Presenters: Kathleen Bohde, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Hamilton County; Amber Barks, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Hancock County; Stephanie Gay, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Boone County; other Area Six 4-H Youth Development Extension Educators

Track: Personal Development, 4-H Youth Development

Description: Join us to take a look at tips and strategies to making camping (and other programs with youth) more enjoyable for staff and young people. Behaviors run deeper than we usually look, so join us to get a different perspective on youth behavior through a trauma informed lens and take away strategies to use when working with youth.

Presenters: Mitch Wagoner, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Knox County and County 4-H Camp State Coordinator; Lesley Lodmell, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Lawrence County; Carla Kidwell, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Warrick County

Track: Personal Development, 4-H Youth Development

Description: 4-H endowment funds help ensure that youth programs and scholarships are viable in the future. These forward-thinking investments are achievable when 4-H alumni, community leaders and philanthropy-minded companies are invited to the table. This session seeks to encourage discussion about donor recruitment and planning for endowments for future 4-H endeavors.

Presenters: Mark Evans, CED & 4-H Youth Development Educator, Putnam County; Rena Sheldon, CED & 4-H Youth Development Educator, Morgan County; Shelly Bingle, Director, Indiana 4-H Foundation