Summary
Science education opportunities for Paulding County Youth have significantly increased through a newly created Science Resource Guide for teachers to request science classes for grades 2-4 and through the creation of a Robotics Club for youth in grades 5-8.
Situation
Cooperative Extension has a strong relationship with the Paulding County School System. They collaborate to improve the educational needs for all students through hands on learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. Through discussion about ways to improve the in-school 4-H programming for all 5th grade students, Dr. Bonnie Cochran, Elementary Education Curriculum specialist identified a critical need for all elementary students. Across the county, Science CRCT scores are significantly lower compared to other subject areas and numerous elementary school teachers do not feel as confident when teaching science content compared to other content areas. Dr. Cochran felt that 4-H could play a valuable role in supplementing science education in the Paulding County School System.
Response
In response to the county need to increase science, engineering, and technology opportunities, the Paulding County 4-H program expanded the 4-H Junk Drawer Robotics Program. The Junk Drawer Robotics Program, established in the fall of 2012 was led by volunteer leader and former Lockheed Martin employee, Felicia Rosemond. After securing a $1000 Lockheed Martin Grant to establish the program, students improved their critical thinking skills, team work skills, and for some students their social skills. To expand the program in year two to include a Lego Robotics component, grant funds totaling $2500 were acquired to maintain the club which has increased from 16 active members to 21 active members with several students on a waiting list. In addition to the Robotics Club S.E.T opportunity, 2nd-4th grade teachers have the opportunity to request science courses taught by County Extension staff based on the Georgia Performance Standards in life, earth, and physical science. 5th grade club meeting science lessons were updated to directly reflect the Georgia Performance science standards and the 5th grade curriculum pacing guide for the 2013-2014 school year.
Impact
As a result of the implementation of the new Paulding County S.E.T. activities, we have seen an increase in the number of students wanting to participate in our Robotics Club. We increased from 16 students participating in the Junk Drawer Robotics Club to 21 students registered for the 2013-2014 Lego Robotics with 7 students on the waiting list. Student involvement in the Robotics Club has increased their critical thinking skills, social skills, and more. One parent commented that “she never would have imagined how far her autistic child would come socially through participating with other youth in the Paulding County 4-H Robotics Club”. The Robotics Club has also been featured on the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Website as well in the Paulding times, expanding its reach to numerous individuals and highlighting Paulding County 4-H's goal to facilitate science, engineering, and technology learning to Paulding County youth. The Science Resource guide has also been successful in its first months of implementation. Since advertising the Resource Guide at the Paulding County School System Administrators school year kick off meeting in July, Extension staff members have already taught Georgia Performance Standards based science lesson to over 600 students in 2nd and 3rd grade with two additional schools scheduled in the 2013 calendar year. One teacher commented on the evaluation that Hot and Cold Insulator lesson was “hands on, engaging, and tied directly to the curriculum taught in the classroom”.
State Issue
S.E.T. - Science, Engineering, and Technology
Details
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Year:
2013
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Geographic Scope:
County
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County:
Paulding
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Program Areas:
