The 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) Initiative is the 4-H program's contribution to improving science technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in New Jersey. 4-H is responding to our nation's concern for improving human capacity and workforce abilities in STEM areas by combining non-formal education with hands-on inquiry-based learning in a youth development context.

The New Jersey 4-H SET program…

• is a community of county agents & staff, volunteers, community partners, and university scientists committed to high quality SET education. 
• leverages a unique set of resources from Rutgers University for non formal science education focused on positive youth development.
• is a recognized resource for our expertise in youth development, including leadership, community involvement, and collaborative learning.
• invites and encourages partnerships with like minded STEM organizations including academia, school districts, and industry.

4-H strives to provide quality in- and out-of-school programs that incorporate sustained, positive youth-adult relationships, skill-building, and youth participation and leadership that provide young people with the "social nutrients" they need for positive development.

We focus on:

• Making Science fun – 4-H programs are focused on learning by observation and experience, through activities youth enjoy.
• Seeing science in everyday life – we will help youth understand and apply science skills in everyday activities and events.
• Asking questions – 4-H SET is a resource for becoming an engaged citizen in a democratic society resolving critical issues.
• Getting excited about science– we engage youth in the science happening in universities, government, and industry and open their minds to potential careers in science.

Climate change with its forecasts of melting ice caps and the extinction of our planets species can be emotionally overwhelming for everybody.

This 4-H unit is designed to equip youth with both scientific knowledge and the life skills required to improve their understanding of the science of climate change and the skills to apply this knowledge wisely in their personal life and in their role as active citizens.

This unit will be designed for 8-12 year olds and will have the following components:

• What do we know about climate change?
• DVDs of Rutgers University professors engaged in research related to Global Climate Change topics
  - See the first of a 5 part series here
• Explore potential careers in the sciences related to Global Climate Change
• Make an impact on their community by developing a plan of action to address local climate change issues

Watch "Why do you do what you do?" - movie from Climate Change Summit 2009.

Science in Everyday Living

In everyday life, we take a lot of everyday things for granted. Driving our cars, running the dishwasher, watching television, using computers, baking a cake, playing our favorite sport, and flipping light switches on and off. We do these as routinely and seldom take time to think about the everyday science that make these things happen.

In 4-H, we are working on a suite of programs designed to help you encourage youth to wonder and reflect on the science in everyday life.

Rutgerscience: Find the Scientist in YOU!

Join us for our Saturday science program focused on introducing middle and high school students to perspective science careers by university faculty and staff on the Rutgers University campuses.

4-H leaders, interested volunteers and parents are invited to bring students to meet and interact with scientists. Students are provided experiments to take home and are invited to attend follow up sessions on the internet.

Check our Fall 2009-2010 calendar