Utah State University

The Importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Experiences for Our Youth Cannot Be Ignored. the United States Possesses the Most Innovative, Technologically Capable Economy in the World, and Yet Its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education System Is Failing to Ensure That All American Students Receive the Skills and Knowledge Required for Success in the 21ST Century Workforce (national Science Board, 2007). Stem Occupations Are Growing at 17% While Other Career Choices Are Growing at 9.8%. From an Economic Standpoint, Stem Degree Holders Also Have a Higher Average Income, Even When They Are Not in a Stem Specific Career (kim Et. Al, 2015). Several Studies Have Indicated That Early Exposure to Stem Concepts Leads to Increase Likelihood of Pursuing a Degree in Stem (suddreth & Itamura, 2007; Lesseig Et Al., 2018). But There Is Limited Understanding of Stem Education in Schools (brown Et Al., 2011). Many Programs Will Focus on the Technology Aspect of Stem Initiatives Without Consideration of the Stem Based Life Sciences, Including Agriculture.agriculture Is a Critical Component of Daily Life, But It Is Not Well Understood by Most Youth. According to Kos and Jerman (2012), Youth With Little Exposure to Agriculture Have a Limited Understanding of Where Their Food Originates. Hess and Trexler (2011) Emphasize the Need for Citizens to Have a Deeper Understanding of the Agri-food System in Order to Create Informed Policies Surrounding Food Production and Import, Sustainability, Land Use, and Ecology. Despite the Push for Stem Education, Research Has Shown Little Increase in the Number of Girls and Underserviced Population Interested in Stem.to Encourage Diversity in Agriscience and Related Technology, We Must Start With Best Practices to Increase Diversity in the Agriculture Technology Pipeline. for K-12 Students, Best Practices Include Exposure to Diverse Role Models With Similarities in Background to the Students They Work With, Providing Near-peer Mentors, and Early and Sustained Opportunities to Explore Science in Authentic Experiential Ways.this Grant, Led by an Experienced Instrument Expert (prof. Anhong Zhou) From Department of Biological Engineering, at Utah State University (USU) and a Group of Faculty From Usu College of Agriculture and Applied Science and Agriculture Youth Education Experts From Usu Extension 4-H Program, Designed Four Extensive Informal Education Certificate Programs (dairy Production, Animal Health, Plant Physiology, and Biosensors) for Youth Involved in Either Agriculture or Stem Project Areas to Further Explore Career Opportunities Involving Agriculture. by Working Together, We Will Provide Agristem Experiential Learning Opportunities for Youth to Both Rural and Urban Underserved Populations. These Youth Will Have Opportunities to Complete Various Stem Projects, Lead and Teach Their Peers, and Learn the Practical Applications of Various Agristem Caree,rs. in Utah, All 29 Counties Have 4-H Programs Managed by Usu Extension. This Project Will Enhance the Hands-on Learning for All 4-H Programs Across the State of Utah.