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Monument Grant Inspires Local Youth to "Get STEAM'D Up!"
September 25th, 2019
Did you know that hands-on learning helps students learn faster and better – and promotes higher interest in the subject matter? This is particularly true in STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) – a topic very close to Monument’s heart.
Thanks to this year’s $10,000 Community Partnership Initiative (CPI) grant in Brandenburg, a large group of local students are about to enjoy a very hands-on STEAM experience with the Meade County 4-H Youth Development.
This is the second year of the Monument CPI grant, which – in early 2019 – invited non-profit organizations to submit proposals focused on Youth Education, with priority consideration for programs that emphasize STEAM learning. Each year, proposals are reviewed by the Monument Brandenburg Community Advisory Council (CAC), who vote on the winning program.
“This year, we received several great proposals from a range of organizations, but the 4-H Youth Development application and presentation impressed Monument and our CAC members with their plan for creative, hands-on STEAM programming for the local youth in our community,” said Tonya Klinglesmith, HR Business Partner, Brandenburg.
4-H Youth Development is a national organization that encourages kids to complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors – and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.
Meade County 4-H Youth Development is a program of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and their winning proposal is entitled, “Get STEAM’d Up.” The program invites kids (ages 5-18) to participate in their choice of a STEAM-based module, including: Food Science (Baking or Fruits & Vegetables); Kitchen Chemistry; Fine Arts Club; Mini Master Gardeners; or Teen Camp.
“These programs will employ the hands-on approach central to 4-H Youth Development, with a focus on technology, math, career possibilities, and life skill development, such as cooperation, critical thinking, processing information/data, using scientific methods, team work, and self-responsibility,” said Deana K. Reed, County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Youth Development, Meade County. “And of course, the programs are all designed to be fun!”
Program enrollment began in early September – with a range of promotions, including mailings to 4-H Youth Development members, weekly news articles to promote each program, social media posts, and information in the back-to-school newsletters for students and parents.
“The 4-H Youth Development team and volunteers have been proud to offer our local youth hands-on opportunities in STEAM since 2008, and the Monument grant has truly opened a new door for us to expand our work to reach even more youth in the community,” said Deana. “There’s a real need to support what students are learning in school with hands-on activities and programming to enhance understanding and boost excitement about STEAM. We are thrilled and thankful for the opportunity to equip our children with the STEAM skills they need to succeed in school, in their future careers, and in life!”
PICTURE: From left to right: Tonya Klinglesmith, Monument Brandenburg HR Business Partner, Deana Reed, Extension Agent for 4-H, Ellie Brunner, 4-H Teen Leader, Landen Conrad, 4-H Teen Leader, Ruth Ann Nash, 4-H Leader and 4-H Council Treasurer, Annie Hamilton, Executive Director, Meade County Chamber of Commerce, and Freddy Rivera, Monument Brandenburg Site Leader
