Science & Technology
IMPACT REPORT July 2018 - June 2019
NATIONAL STATS
Our mission To empower youth to be responsible, caring and contributing leaders that effect positive change in the world around them.
Our vision
Thriving communities in partnership with youth leaders.
24,079 Members 60% Female 40% Male 7,609 Leaders Projects 43,191 across Pillars 1,860 Clubs 114 Clubs NEW
MEMBER DEMOGRAPHIC by area of residence
52% Farm 31% Rural 17% Urban
As of Decemeber 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS About This Pillar 3 Impact on Youth 4 Leadership Excellence 11 Identity 12 Resources 14
2018 4-H Canada Science Fair winner Mac D. presents her winning project Safe Chick-Ments to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan at the Prime Minister’s Science Fair in September 2018.
4-H CANADA’S LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PILLARS 4-H Canada programs fit within four Leadership Development Pillars: Science & Technology PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES IN THE PILLAR • 4-H Canada Science Fair • Discover Science • Hands-On Science
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security Community Engagement & Communications Environment & Healthy Living 2 Science & Technology IMPACT REPORT 2018–2019
ABOUT THIS PILLAR 4-H Canada is committed to supporting capacity building around Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for 4-H youth and leaders across Canada. Eighty-three percent of 4-H members live on a farm or in a rural community, where STEM play a critical role in developing innovations and efficiencies in agricultural production and enhancements to the delivery of infrastructure, while advancing environmental sustainability practices. In this context, 4-H’ers have a unique role to play as catalysts for change and drivers of innovation in science and technology. As a trusted leader in positive youth development in rural communities from coast to coast for more than 100 years, 4-H Canada understands the challenges of young people in rural Canada, and is uniquely positioned
to address their needs. We support youth in building their confidence to explore future career opportunities, and to offer solutions to global challenges in various sectors. By providing non-school-based, experiential STEM programming to rural communities, 4-H Canada is offering this generation of young leaders a range of opportunities for the future, while supporting them on their educational and professional paths, whatever they may be. Through the programs in this Pillar, youth can dive into hands-on, inquiry-based projects and activities that engage them in science and spark their curiosity. In collaboration with local 4-H clubs, provincial organizations, partners and the national office, 4-H Canada ensures all youth have access to resources and opportunities in science.
OBJECTIVES • Provide access and maintain interests in STEM in rural communities. • Encourage inquiry-based learning, develop STEM-related skills, and challenge members in creating a project. • Engage members in STEM topics; increase their interest in STEM-related education and careers. • Give 4-H volunteer leaders and staff the tools to deliver strong Science & Technology programming. • Establish strategic partnerships that encourage the sharing of knowledge.
“New technology, artificial intelligence, and global competitiveness are changing the way Canadians work. Many of the skills needed for good quality jobs will change in the years to come. A Canadian workforce that incorporates new technology and adapts is key to Canada’s long-term economic growth. “ - Government of Canada takes action to ensure Canadian workers are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow, Employment and Social Development Canada, February 14, 2019
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IMPACT ON YOUTH Top three Science & Technology club projects across Canada in 2018-2019:
446
Small Engines
1,968
377
Veterinary
321
Welding
science-related projects completed by youth in 2018-2019
Photo credit: National 4-H Council
92 4-H clubs signed up in 2019, representing over 2,200 members
DISCOVER SCIENCE
70% of clubs felt the kits and
resources were useful and informative*
4-H Canada launched the Discover Science club outreach initiative in 2019, supported by Bayer and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), inviting 4-H members to take part in a science experiment ‘in a box’. With the support of the National 4-H Council in the U.S., and building on their 4-H National Youth Science Day efforts, 4-H Canada was able to offer Discover Science as an exciting and engaging STEM-focused initiative available to clubs and members across the country – sparking science and cultivating curiosity. For the first year of this initiative, club members learned how to design and build their own wearable health monitor. Following the step-by-step engineering and design process, they engaged in hands-on learning about human health, and how it can be tracked and improved using technology.
94% of clubs think this initiative
should continue to be offered*
80% of clubs are very likely or likely to participate again next year*
* of 13 survey respondents
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4-H CANADA SCIENCE FAIR Offered in partnership with our founding Pillar partner Bayer, along with Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, this program offers 4-H members in grades 7 through 12 or in CEGEP across Canada the opportunity to develop, complete and present a science project. As part of the in-person round, 16 talented 4-H members showcased their projects in 2019, ranging from UV light affecting plant growth, bovine pneumonia, flax waste as an energy supply, and seaweed as an antifungal application. The five 4-H Canada Science Fair winners went on to represent the 4-H community at the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where they competed with 500 other bright young minds from across Canada for top prizes and nearly $1,000,000 in scholarships.
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16 4-H members participated in the in-person round
5 4-H members advanced to the 2019 CWSF
“The science fair has opened more doors for me than I can count. This opportunity has come with so many benefits that I wouldn’t be able to list all of them even if I tried. You never know where it could take you!” - Amanda H, 4-H member
2019 4-H CANADA SCIENCE FAIR WINNERS Liam C., Alberta Ruby K., Saskatchewan Hashim F., Manitoba Megan D. and Avery N., Prince Edward Island Megan D. and Avery N. from Prince Edward Island won Bronze at the CWSF for their joint project “Ulva Lactuca: Subcritical Water & Supercritical Fluid Extractions”
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HANDS-ON SCIENCE The 4-H Canada Hands-on Science training program is a series of interactive leader development workshops that help leaders become confident, skilled and enthusiastic Science Champions. In turn, they incorporate science and technology programming within their existing 4-H clubs, and promote STEM within their province. The 84 Science Champions across all provinces who were trained to date are expected to share the skills learned during the workshops with their youth members, and build awareness of STEM and 4-H opportunities within their clubs and communities.
“We have used the science kit activities at several camps and conferences around the province. The variety of activities makes it easy to find ageappropriate ones for all members.� – Tracy, 4-H Manitoba Leader 2018-2019 was focused on outreach and support to leaders across Canada. We look forward to strengthening the program further by developing more STEM resources, running additional training sessions and surveying leaders to measure impact on youth.
POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS Skills, strengths and assets youth members told us they are developing as a result of their participation in the 4-H Canada Science Fair.
93% of participants felt
more confident in their understanding of the scientific process than they did before
100% of participants were proud of
the planning and organization involved in their project
79% of participants were offered a
unique opportunity in STEM as they didn’t have a science fair at their school
72% of participants said they
developed leadership skills
93% of participants said they
developed essential career skills
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YOUTH ARE CHOOSING SCIENCE Through its innovative programming, 4-H Canada is empowering generations of leaders with the knowledge and experience the science and technology industry needs to continue to thrive. The investment in 4-H and its programs within the Science & Technology Pillar is showing a positive trend on the impact on youth.
86% 86%
% of youth who feel more confident in their understanding of the scientific process % of youth who have considered a future in STEM subjects and careers
78%
71%
2017 2018
93%
2017
2019
Mac D. - Langley, British Columbia • Invented a safer way to ship day-old chicks • Participated in the 2018 4-H Canada Science Fair • Won Platinum for Best Junior Science Fair project in Canada at the 2019 Canada-Wide Science Fair • Presented her project at the Prime Minister’s Science Fair in Ottawa in 2018 • Participated in #BCTECHSummit 2019 • Competed in the 2019 International Science & Engineering Fair in Arizona • Received the first production order for her chick boxes in 2019
Amanda H. - Stony Plain, Alberta • Invented a way to feed the hungry and cut down on food waste using cricket flour • Participated in the 2018 4-H Canada Science Fair • Won the Excellence Award at the 2018 Canada-Wide Science Fair • Was featured in OWL Magazine in 2019 10 Science & Technology IMPACT REPORT 2018–2019
2019
92%
2018
105 participants
at the 2019 4-H Canada Leadership Summit
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE 2019 4-H Canada Leadership Summit - Science & Technology programming 4-H Canada Science Fair – Panel Discussion Fifteen 4-H leaders joined past attendees and 4-H Canada staff to learn about 4-H Canada’s Science Fair from two members who had participated before, while also trying out a hands-on experiment, and hearing about the programming 4-H Canada offers in the Science & Technology pillar. 4-H LEARNS Provincial associations are encouraged to upload their science-related project resources to the 4-H LEARNS website at 4-h-learns.org to share with other 4-H leaders in Canada and around the world. 4-H Ontario’s Agriculture Biotechnology project 4-H Ontario has developed and shared a new resource which translates the complicated topic of modern agricultural biotechnology into a fun, hands-on guide for clubs and leaders to experiment with their members.
“If you have an idea for a project but feel that you don’t have the skills necessary to develop it, 4-H has the resources to support you.” - Mac D., 4-H member
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IDENTITY “Our strong commitment to 4-H is built on their ability to deliver outstanding programming to Canadian youth. I hope more youth enroll in 4-H programs and eventually pursue STEM-based careers in agriculture and beyond.� - Al Driver, Country Division Head, Bayer Crop Science Canada
SOCIAL MEDIA Across 4-H Canada’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts
IN THE NEWS • Bayer and 4-H Canada Renew National Partnership with a Focus on Engaging Youth in STEM (November 2018) • Winners of the 4-H Canada Science Fair Revealed (March 2019) • 4-H Canada Launches the Discover Science Initiative (April 2019) • 4-H Members Win Bronze Medals at the Canada-Wide Science Fair (May 2019) • Two P.E.I. 4-H members win bronze at Canada Wide Science Fair – The Guardian (May 2019)
2,000,000 impressions 40,800 engagements (likes, comment and share)
252,347 impressions on content related to Science & Technology
• Safer Chick-Ments: An Innovative Solution to Reducing Stress in Chick Shipments - The Canadian Science Fair Journal (February 2019) • Crickets for Lunch: Turning Waste into Protein - The Canadian Science Fair Journal (February 2019)
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RESOURCES “As a life science company, we understand that exploration and innovation are key factors helping to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, and it’s encouraging to see the large number of clubs and youth participating in [the 4-H] program.” - Al Driver, Country Division Head, Bayer Crop Science Canada
CONTRIBUTING PARTNERS IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY We are grateful for the national partners who invest in 4-H Canada. Together, we have grown opportunities for rural youth to access high-quality hands-on STEM programming and learn about education and careers relevant to their interests, while addressing the concerns of their generation as global citizens focused on a sustainable future. Science & Technology Leadership Development Pillar partner
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SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES 4-H Canada offers a variety of financial supports and opportunities each year. We are thankful for the corporate partnerships that allow these opportunities to exist for 4-H members and alumni. In 2018, 34 4-H Canada scholarship recipients went on to choose a program of study in STEM, including agriculture science, animal biology or engineering.
4-H Canada Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction (L.E.A.D.), presented by CN Four scholarships, with an overall value of $20,000 each over four years. This scholarship recognizes outstanding 4-H’ers who epitomize 4-H youth empowerment and demonstrate personal and community impact and leadership excellence in each of 4-H Canada’s four Leadership Development Pillars.
L.E.A.D. winner for Science & Technology in 2018, Emma Kaliel “The summer before Grade 12, I was part of the WISEST (Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology) summer research program working in an anthropology lab and I realized I could do more through engineering than anthropology. I’m not sure yet what type of engineering I want to pursue, but I’m looking forward to exploring what’s possible and helping other young women get into STEM education and careers.”
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THANK YOU! Want to know more? We have endless ideas and passion and we’d love to talk.
PLEASE CONTACT: Megan Bomberry, Director, Sponsorships mbomberry@4-h-canada.ca | 613-808-8301 Elizabeth Jarvis, Director, Government Relations ejarvis@4-h-canada.ca | 613-809-7141
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