CHEVY CHASE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Noyce Foundation announced its continued support of 4-H’s Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) programming with a $1.73 million gift. The donation will go to continue growing the capacity of the 4-H system to deliver innovative science-based programs to youth all around the nation and to the continued robust evaluation of the impact of 4-H SET programming on youth development.
“Noyce’s investment will allow 4-H to expand state and county-level SET leadership teams which are integral to reaching our goal of addressing the nation’s critical workforce shortages by building the next generation of youth excited about careers in science, engineering and technology.”
The Noyce Foundation’s generous support will strengthen the 4-H SET infrastructure in several ways, including providing online professional development training, assistance with state and local SET implementation, incentives to recognize innovative local leadership and to developing the capability to assess the SET impact.
This gift brings 4-H even closer to achieving the ambitious goal of engaging one million new youth in the fields of science, engineering and technology by the year 2013. The 4-H youth development program currently reaches more than 6 million youth with year-round, hands-on learning experiences—and 5 million of those youth are actively engaged in exciting science, engineering and technology projects. Today, 4-H out-of-school programming, in-school enrichment programs and camps offer a wide variety of science education opportunities—from agricultural and animal sciences to rocketry, robotics, renewable energy, environmental protection and computer science.
“We have invested heavily in helping the National 4-H Council further its SET initiative because we believe 4-H has the capacity to lead the way for youth development and informal science organizations across the country in developing the curriculum, professional development, multi-media web-based support, and evaluation tools and practices that will engage thousands of young people from all backgrounds in the joys of science,” said Ron Ottinger, Executive Director of the Noyce Foundation.
“The Noyce Foundation continues to be a vital partner and advocate for 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology programming,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., National 4-H Council President and CEO. “Noyce’s investment will allow 4-H to expand state and county-level SET leadership teams which are integral to reaching our goal of addressing the nation’s critical workforce shortages by building the next generation of youth excited about careers in science, engineering and technology.”
In fact, there is proof of 4-H’s positive impact on youth. According to longitudinal research conducted by the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University, if a child is in 4-H, he or she is:
In addition, The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development found that when compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H perform better in science, engineering and technology subjects and are more likely to pursue science careers.
As the youth development program of Cooperative Extension and USDA, 4-H is directly connected to the research and resources of the 109 land-grant universities and colleges and the more than 3,000 local county Extension offices across the nation. This connection strategically positions 4-H to help grow the next generation of science leaders and strengthen the nation’s ability to tackle the world’s top challenges such as energy independence, healthcare and the environment. 4-H programs are further supported by 514,000 dedicated adult volunteers around the nation who help to put 4-H youth on a path towards successful careers.
The out-of-school science programming provided by 4-H is vital to complement the formal education that young people receive during the school day. Out-of-school programming has been proven to deepen a youth’s connection to the science, reach the underserved and foster the skills that are attractive to employers.
About National 4-H Council:
4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within (USDA). The 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 Land Grant Universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-h.org.
About the Noyce Foundation:
The Noyce Foundation is interested in significantly increasing the number of youth in the United States who pursue professions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). It believes that providing large numbers of young people with out-of-school, engaging, quality, hands-on science, engineering, and technology experiences will stimulate a larger percentage to pursue STEM careers and enhance general STEM knowledge. The Foundation’s goal is to support the informal science community in developmental initiatives that address gaps that exist in outcomes measurement, research and evaluation, program scale up, leadership development, and policy issues.