The STEM Institute, Service Learning, and Youth Voice

Jeff Sallee Ph.D.Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist

4-H Youth DevelopmentOklahoma State University

Jeff.sallee@okstate.edu405/744-8885

Raised 209 bushels of corn on one acre (Averages at that time were 45 bushels per acre)

Led to food preservation and safety techniques becoming standard practice

“The Bridges”

Service Learning-Youth Voice

The STEM Institute - Tracts, Outcomes and History

Tract Years offered Planned outcomes Teams trained

1 GeospatialGPS/GIS

2008-12 Maps are used to educate the public about issues such as storm shelter locations, historical sites, or even used to locate and identify illegal dumps sites.

n = 17

2 Digital media 2010-12 Videos have been developed and used to teach other youth and the public about topics such as; bullying, distracted driving, issues facing military youth, 4-H promotion, and horse therapy.

n = 28

3 Lego robotics 2010-12 Teams have competed in the Lego Robotics competitions, Botball competitions, studied robotics as club projects, and promoted robotics as a 4-H project

n=11

4 Environmental conservation

2011-12 Teams have installed rain-barrels, built rain gardens, taught the 40 Gallon challenge, and started recycling programs.

n = 6

5 Forensics 2011-12 Teach Forensics to other youth and start forensic 4-H clubs.

n=13N = 75

2012 Youth Engagement Attitudes and Knowledge (YEAK)(Mielke, M., LaFleur, J., Butler, A., & Sanzone, J. 2012)

• Participants ranged in age from 9-18, most were between 13-15

• Most were, Caucasian. More boys than girls participated • In terms of education, 90 percent attended public school• 96 percent planned to obtain a college degree• 75 percent of their mothers completed college and/or

some graduate school• 73 percent of participants had been in 4-H for three or

more years.

In this 4-H Program or Project, I Can…

Question (I can…)Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree

Strongly Agree Mean

Do experiments 1 3 30 15 3.20Do hands-on science activities 1 3 11 34 3.59Solve problems 3 4 17 24 3.29See science in a fun way 0 1 18 30 3.59Learn about careers 3 5 21 20 3.18Serve my community 1 2 24 22 3.37Learn with my friends 0 0 20 29 3.59Get answers to my questions from leaders 1 3 17 28 3.47Tell a group of people about something I learned or made 1 2 14 32 3.57N = 49

Participants’ Perceptions of STEM

• 33 of 47 participants would like a job related to science.• 36 agree science is one of their favorite subjects• 32 do science activities for enjoyment• 47 participants indicated they take science for reasons

other than they have too or it will help them in the futureThese findings illustrate a strong interest in science and a

perception of participating in future science activities

In summary, selected results are:• 98% of the participants see science in a fun way; • 96% like to participate in science projects• 70% would like to have a job related to science• 83% indicated they have helped with previous

science-related community service projectsThese are all strong indicators that the STEM Institute

met is goal of promoting many aspects of science to its participating youth

The STEM Institute, Service Learning, and Youth Voice

Jeff Sallee Ph.D.Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist

4-H Youth DevelopmentOklahoma State University

Jeff.sallee@okstate.edu405/744-8885