4-H connects kids to Cornell

How?  Through:

Cornell Cooperative Extension, our
parent organization, project work: materials come from Cornell and other land grant universities trips and events: Youth have
opportunities to explore Cornell and beyond at events like 4-H Career Explorations, Vet School Open House, Animal Crackers, Dairy Discovery Days, and more. 

There are also Department Resource connections to departments such as Animal Science, Nutritional Science, Textiles & Apparel, Human Development, Horticulture, Education and Natural Resources, Youth Development links can connect you to research, best practices, and information, and Opportunities to get involved in Citizen Science

Citizen Science activities connected to Cornell include:

• Project FeederWatch
  Celebrate Urban Birds
• Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network (CoCoRaHS)
• Lost Ladybug Project - Searching for ladybugs everywhere
• The Great Backyard Bird Count
  Galaxy Zoo - Where you can help astronomers explore the Galaxy
• Viburnum Leaf Beetle Citizen Science Project
  Vegetable Varieties Investigation
• Garden Mosaics - Connecting Youth and Elders to investigate…science
• Bird Sleuth: Exploring Bird Behavior

Online Resources. The Cooperative Extension system has developed research-based curricula and information, which includes youth development practices to help leaders and youth learn and grow together. Following are links to some recent resources on issues concerning many youth today.

Resources

• CYFERnet researched based information from top Universities.
• ACT for Youth searchable youth development links.
• NYS 4-H Resource Directory   4-H resources for teachers, leaders, youth & staff.
• Journal of Extension  refereed journal of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System.

Recent Research

• At Cornell (see "news")
• 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development.  Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development.  Tufts University.
• Preventing Childhood Obesity
• Youth and elders participate in Garden Mosaics research in urban environments.
• Youth Development a listing of recent research

SET Focused Events and Conferences for Youth

Through 4-H youth have opportunities to explore Cornell and beyond at events like 4-H Career Explorations, Vet School Open House, Animal Crackers, Dairy Discovery Days, and more.

The 4-H Career Explorations Conference at Cornell University connects 400 + 8th to 12 grade youth to 17+ hours of science and technology careers and academic enrichment. Youth attending, as well as staff and volunteers, will each be connected to one of 36 Cornell University department programs. The majority of the programs are recruited from the University STEM Outreach network, with two brand new programs this year focused on energy (wind, and solar decathlon project).

Other 4-H Department based statewide offerings like: Forestry Invitational Weekend, Dairy Discovery Days, Animal Crackers, March Dog Madness, etc. also provide intensive training and are open to new audiences. An animal science calendar of events is available at:

Activities/events offered through Cornell Outreach programs like Insectapalooza, Vet Science Open House and Expanding Your Horizons are also very popular options to promote, and organize activities around.

Publications

• Cornell Chronicle
• Small Farms Quarterly with inside youth pages written by 4-H members.
• Understanding the Difference 4-H Clubs Make in the Lives of New York Youth: How 4-H Contributes to Positive Youth Development

• Why 4-H SET?
• Why 4-H Choose Health?
• Why 4-H Afterschool?
• Why 4-H Camps?
• Why 4-H Fairs?
• Why 4-H Clubs?
• Why 4-H School Enrichment?
• Why 4-H Cover
• 4-H Camps Are Funtastic

Did You Know? Current research emphasizes the importance for youth to have opportunities for long-term, consistent relationships with caring adults other than parents.