Challenge to Bolster the Evidence Base for 4-H Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Programming

Authors

• Joseph L. Donaldson, North Carolina State University
• Karen L. Franck, University of Tennessee
• Marshall A. Baker, North Carolina State University

Volume

58

Issue

1

Abstract

Research has shown that participation in 4-H science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs is associated with positive youth outcomes, including higher science and math standardized test scores. In reflecting on the 4-H Science initiative's logic model and recent evaluative studies of 4-H STEM programs, we identified a need for systematic, comprehensive literature reviews and meta-analyses of published materials about 4-H STEM programs. We issue a challenge to the Cooperative Extension System and land-grant universities to conduct such research to communicate impacts of 4-H STEM programs, describe successful 4-H STEM programs, identify best practices and strengthen 4-H STEM programs, and improve STEM programming for children and youths overall.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Donaldson, J. L., Franck, K. L., & Baker, M. A. (2020). Challenge to Bolster the Evidence Base for 4-H Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Programming. Journal of Extension, 58(1), Article 23. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.58.01.23