Category: E&R

Expansion & Review committee work

November 16, 2012

Report on STEM Statistics in Illinois

A great resource for identifying "pain points" or unmet needs in youth STEM education in Illinois. Our 4-H programs are well positioned to meet these needs!

A report on the condition of STEM Learning in Illinois

http://changetheequation.org/sites/default/files/vital-pdfs/IL-CTEq-vital-signs.pdf

Conducted by Change the Equation (CTEq), a nonprofit, nonpartisan, CEO-led initiative that is mobilizing the business community to improve the quality of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in the United States.

Posted by Lisa Bouillion Diaz at 10:35 AM | Permalink |
Categories: E&R, Science-Excited, SET

November 16, 2012

National Report on Informal Science

Issue Brief from National Governors Association:

"The Role of Informal Science in the State Education Agenda"
http://www.nga.org/files/live/sites/NGA/files/pdf/1203INFORMALSCIENCEBRIEF.PDF


Provides rationale and support for the contribution of 4-H science programs.

Posted by Lisa Bouillion Diaz at 9:45 AM | Permalink |
Categories: E&R, Science-Excited, SET

November 12, 2012

Science Evaluation Resources

National 4-H Council has invested significant resources into an evaluation of the 4-H Science (SET) mission mandate.

Evaluation has included:
1) A national youth survey (YEAK - Youth Engagement, Attitudes and Knowledge)
2) An implementation study based on state leader and educator interviews; examines the process and content features of successful science programs
3) A national enrollment survey; includes # and type of science programs, enrollment figures, etc.
4) A case study report of eight promising 4-H science programs; includes insight into strategies for overcoming challenges identified in the national implementation study

These resources have been posted to the portal under:
4-H Contacts / Evaluation / Science Study / National 4-H Science Evaluation

You can also locate these materials at: http://www.4-h.org/about/youth-development-research/science-program-research/

Posted by Lisa Bouillion Diaz at 12:26 PM | Permalink |
Categories: E&R, Media & Marketing, Science-Excited, SET

March 7, 2012

4-H 101 Webinar Registration Updated

Register for upcoming 4-H 101 webinars via the updated registration site.These training opportunites are appropriate for 4-H staff, office support staff and county directors since each staff role has a unique part in supporting the Illinois 4-H program.

Once completed, 4-H 101 Webinarrecordings, powerpoints with notepages, and related documentswill be archived on the Portal; 4-H Contacts; Staff Development; Webinars.

Registration is open for these upcoming webinars:

Monday, March 12, 2012 - 1:30 PM - Think Green
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 - 1:30 PM - 4-H Fiscal Issues
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 - 10:30 AM - 4-H Shooting Sports
Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 10:00 AM - SPIN Clubs
Tuesday, April 3, 2012 - 1:30 PM - State Fair Online
Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 1:30 PM - Recognition, Part II
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - 1:30 PM - PYD BIG-M, Part I
Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 1:30 PM - PYD BIG-M, Part II
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 - 1:30 PM - State Fair Update


Click here for more information or to register: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=6575
NOTE: A confirmation for each 4-H 101 Webinar will be sent to your email account when you register. Save all email confirmations so you do not duplicate your registration.

Be aware that webinar times and days of the week vary and note those dates and times on your calendar.You are encouraged to register at least five days prior to each webinar as topic-specific information may be shared with participants prior to some sessions.

Posted by Patricia C. McGlaughlin at 8:08 PM | Permalink |
Categories: Awards, Scholarships & Recognition, Clubs, E&R, Fiscal/Tax, Local Fairs & APF, Policies/UMH, PYD, Risk Mgmt., Shooting Sports, SPIN Clubs, Staff Development, State Fair, Thinking Green, Volunteers

February 13, 2012

Sign Up Now for 4-H 101 Webinars -- Updated!

Register for any or all of the upcoming 4-H 101 webinars.

This is a training opportunity for 4-H staff, office support staff and county directors, since each staff role has a unique part in supporting the Illinois 4-H programs.

The following 4-H 101 Webinars have already been completed and the powerpoints with notepages and related documents are available on the Portal under Groups; 4-H Contacts; Staff Development; Webinars:

  • Thursday, September 15, 2011 - 10:00 a.m. - New 4-H Year
  • Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - 1:30 p.m. - Volunteer Screening
  • Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - 1:30 p.m. - Risk Management
  • Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - 4-H Policies
  • Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - Expansion & Review


    • Registration is open for these upcoming webinars:

    • Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - Starting New 4-H Clubs
    • Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 10:00 a.m. - SPIN Clubs
    • Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - 4-H Ag Premium Fund
    • Monday, March 12, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - Think Green Initiative - DATE CHANGED
    • Tuesday, March 6, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - Recognition - Part I
    • Tuesday, March 13, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - 4-H Fiscal Issues
    • Tuesday, April 3, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - State Fair Online
    • Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - Recognition - Part II
    • Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - PYD BIG-M, Part I - NEW ADDITION
    • Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - PYD BIG-M, Part II - NEW ADDITION
    • Wednesday, May 30, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. - State Fair Update

    Click here for more information or to register.

    NOTE: A confirmation for each 4-H 101 Webinar is sent to your email account when you register. Please check for those email confirmations so you do not duplicate your registration.

    Note that webinar times and days of the week vary. Please register at least 5 days prior to each webinar, as topic-specific info may be shared with participants before the sessions.

    Posted by Patricia C. McGlaughlin at 8:30 AM | Permalink |
    Categories: Awards, Scholarships & Recognition, Clubs, E&R, Fiscal/Tax, Local Fairs & APF, Policies/UMH, PYD, Risk Mgmt., SPIN Clubs, Staff Development, State Fair, Thinking Green, Volunteers

    January 26, 2012

    Update from Denise

    I really enjoy working on developmental projects which require lots of thought, discussions, testing, etc. A few of the items I am currently working on include:

    • A & S (analyze and strategize) report. This report will be in the hands of County Directors and 4-H YD Educators mid-February and the topic of discussion at a Feb 21 webinar for the same audience. This is the first time we are heavily relying on data-driven analysis of our 4-H program to shape future decision-making. Because it is the first time, I feel most comfortable managing the roll-out of this information by covering it with CDs and Educators first who will in turn use it for internal discussion at the Unit and County level.
    • Metro positions. Due to recent retirements and departures, as well as adequate state funding to slightly expand our work in metro areas, I am taking some time to learn from the field what our lessons are from the first 6 months. Look for us to post metro positions within a few weeks.
    • State-wide 4-H YD Impact being measured in 2012. Did you know we have a Survey Research Laboratory on campus and centrally housed at the University of Illinois in Chicago? We are seeking their services to develop tools, and do data reduction, analysis, and report-writing. Expect three tools that answer three questions: 1) are our 4-H clubs providing a high-quality PYD experience?, 2) do youth in our science learning experiences express interest and demonstrated aspirations in the field of science?, and 3) what percent of the youth aging out of 4-H go onto higher education and how did their 4-H leader, project, or participation influence their decision?

    Like you, I also have operational tasks to fulfill. Currently I am on the search committee for our IT Director for Extension. It was exciting to hear the candidates talk about new technologies and their application to Extension. One candidate commented that 4-H could be training college faculty on what to expect next as we currently work with their future students. Interesting!

    And, like you, I have organizational changes to embrace like Unified Communications (Lync). It's being rolled out on campus and at the State 4-H Office now; field-based colleagues will be hearing more about it soon. I decided to be an early adopter in the State 4-H Office and will be giving up my land-line phone to solely use Lync communication on my computer. The features are wonderful. As you have the opportunity to learn more, please take advantage.

    Take care everyone!

    Posted by Denise Legvold at 3:57 PM | Permalink |
    Categories: E&R, Metro, PYD