1. 4-H Innovators: STEM Programming on a Budget
Jennie Hargrove
County Youth Coordinator
Madison County ISU Extension & Outreach

2. What is 4-H Innovators? Free, research-based, web-based 4-H curriculum
Located at
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

3. 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 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. 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Unpublished online at this time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

5. 4-H Innovators is… Relatable
Use of cartoon characters with videos
Showcases careers with which youth are familiar
descriptions/

6. 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

7. Spaghetti Towers
Going with the Flow

8. 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

9. 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

11. 4-H Innovators is… Engaging
Challenge by choice
Lessons are prepared in two parts:
Common Experience
Investigation
WMS success story

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

13. 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”

14. 4-H Innovators Introductory Lesson #3
Spaghetti Towers
4-H Innovators Introductory Lesson #3

15. What is a tower?

16. What makes a tower different than other buildings?

17. What are some examples of local towers?

18. What are some examples of famous towers?

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. Questions?

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

26. Time is up! Let’s measure!

27. Discussion

28. Why did we build spaghetti towers?

29. Questions about your experience?

30. 4-H Innovators Eight lessons available online
Ten more lessons available soon from Alabama 4-H—stay tuned!

31. Questions. Comments. Thoughts to share
Questions? Comments? Thoughts to share? Jennie Hargrove County Youth Coordinator Madison County