Scholarship & Research
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Item Understanding how 4-H project clubs affect youth's confidence toward STEM-based initiatives and career opportunities(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2023) Andrade, Claudia Gabrielle; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. John GravesThe purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of how the establishment of a STEM-focused 4-H project club would affect youth's confidence towards STEM based initiatives and career opportunities. Additionally, how youth Guardian's perceptions of 4-H materials would be affected through engagement with their youth in said 4-H project club. This Action Research Project (ARP) included the development and facilitation of a STEM Focused 4-H project club. Youth participants ranged from ages eight to sixteen and attended at least four out of the five STEM focused 4-H workshops over the course of five weeks. Eligible youth earned an overnight trip to Montana State University in Bozeman to tour the 4-H center and STEM related departments, along with a visit to Museum of the Rockies. Throughout the course of this ARP, youth and their guardians participated in both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods including pre and post Likert-surveys, journal entries, mid-way assessments, and exit interviews. Statistical analysis of the data showed that a majority of youth exhibited a change in their application of STEM topics to their everyday life. Additionally, youths' general mood when completing the STEM workshop tasks were overwhelmingly positive. Given the number of participants for this ARP, the information gathered is not generalizable; however, these results provide for a better understanding of how a STEM-focused 4-H project club influenced youth in Lake County.Item Perceptions of 4-H record books as part of the experiential learning cycle(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Tangedal, Kara Bates; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisThis study investigated how perceptions of record books by 4-H adult and youth members changed before and after treatment, and if their perceived value of club meetings and project workshops, as well as growth in a project area improved after treatment. The subject of this treatment was enrolled Lewis and Clark County 4-H program members in Montana. Surveys were administered prior to record books being actively used in 4-H clubs and project workshops as a tool for goal-setting and reflection. Following volunteer training on how to effectively use record books in the Experiential Learning Cycle, club and project meetings were assessed on how effectively record books were incorporated, and subsequent remediation was made if necessary. If clubs and projects were evaluated to be using record books effectively, adult and youth members were asked to complete a post-treatment Record Book Survey. Pre- and post-treatment results were statistically analyzed and compared to qualitative interview findings, resulting in a significant increase in frequency of record book use, and modest increase of positive perceptions toward record book use and their relation to goal-setting and reflection, especially in youth members.Item Informal youth educational programming and its effect on environmental stewardship and formal science classroom performance(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2014) McClellan, Matthew Clinton; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.In this investigation, 4-H Outdoor Skills Programming was used to determine its effect on participants' formal science classroom performance, development of life skills, leisure activity choices, and whether this type of adventure programming can increase a participants' level of environmental awareness. Parent and participant surveys, interviews, and direct observation techniques were used to gather data during intervention sessions with two 4-H project clubs in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. Results indicated that these programs do accomplish life skill development and improvement in environmental awareness, but no correlation was found to indicate improvement in the formal classroom or in a decrease in reliance on electronic devices for entertainment.Item Improving recruitment and training for 4-H STEM youth robotics program volunteers(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2013) Watson Pottebaum, Cindy; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.In this study, 4-H Volunteer Robotics Training workshops were evaluated for effectiveness. Using surveys, interviews and communication logs, this study examined the usefulness of the Robotics Volunteer Training workshops using LEGO Mindstorms kits and software. The findings from this study showed that a positive, supportive environment can help volunteers overcome past fears and negative feelings toward science and technology and to become successful leaders of youth robotics activities. The research also revealed that takes ongoing support and communication from 4-H staff after the training workshop, in order for the robotics volunteers to gain enough knowledge to lead a youth robotics activity. How can we create a positive robotics training experience for 4-H volunteers? Will an experiential learning experience help volunteers to gain confidence, competence and expertise that they need to be leaders for youth robotics activities? Will these trained volunteers be motivated to carry out a youth robotics activity beyond the training?