October 14 – To stress the importance of education and career pathways, National 4-H Headquarters’ strategic plan has an outcome of preparing youth for college and career. This outcome was created to promote first-generation college access; to provide exposure to college and career opportunities; and to offer youth engagement in college and career readiness activities and programs.

To address this outcome, the Cooperative Extension 4-H and Youth Development Program hosted Youth Lab, a 4-day/3-night residential summer program on the campus of Prairie View A & M University. This year’s theme was “The Wonders of Water,” and the program focused on water quality, water conservation, and water-related careers. The program began with Shayla Rivera, President of Funny Rocket Scientist, Inc., who gave an inspiring presentation on perseverance and overcoming obstacles. During the program, the youth participants visited Texas A&M University-Galveston and Moody Gardens to learn more about water-related college majors and careers. The participants also engaged in several hands-on water quality and water conservation activities, in addition to Backward Mapping Water-Related Careers to understand college and career requirements. The program concluded with youth presentations on their experiences in the summer program.

As a result of this program, 100% of the participants agreed they are more likely to attend college after high school because of the program. Also, 96% of the youth stated they are more aware of college majors in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) because of their experiences during Youth Lab. Conversely, 91% of the participants are now more aware of water-related careers, and 43% noted they now are interested in pursuing a water-related career because of Youth Lab. More importantly, Youth Lab contributes to the development of human capital by providing college and career awareness, which create a long-term economic impact on historically underrepresented youth.

This work was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, 1890 Extension Formula Program projects under Section 1444.

Joaquina Kankam

 

 

 

 

Joaquina Scott Kankam
Extension Program Specialist II, 4-H and Youth Development
(936)261-5165
jokankam@pvamu.edu