Ignite the Spark: Delivering Environmental Education 4-H Youth Programming in Jefferson County
Primary Topic:
Horticulture
Other Topics:
4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Food Systems, Natural Resources
Internship Overview:
Do you remember the excitement you had as a kid when you found insects under a rock for the first time and learned about the natural world around you through discovery and exploration? This internship allows you to bring that magic to youth, igniting an educational spark, all while allowing you to play alongside them. You’ll spend the majority of your time developing and delivering hands-on, activity-based lessons for underserved elementary aged youth in Jefferson County. Our mentor team is ready to help you develop the skills you need to succeed! Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge of STEM, natural resources and/or horticulture topics and learn about Extension in Jefferson County.
Goals, Scope and Objectives:
This internship will focus on developing and evaluating programming for the Jefferson County 4-H Outreach Program. Key responsibilities include planning, implementing and evaluating weekly and one-time activities that can be taught during outreach programs at local low-income housing sites and non-profit community-based organizations. Activities should target youth aged 5-14, be hands-on in nature, and based on Natural Resources, Horticulture or STEM topics. The intern will develop an evaluation tool to assess the success of outreach program activities. The intern will also work to engage county youth in applied research by implementing a Citizen Science project – Bumblebee Watch as a pilot program in Jefferson County. They will lead the programming related to this effort by coordinating with the ENOR Camp (Eagle’s Nest Owl’s Roost, an environmental summer day camp) to increase the reach and scope of Citizen Science projects in our area. Additional responsibilities can be added to match the intern’s interests.
With which stakeholder group(s) will the intern work?
This intern will create a bridge between the wider Extension office, and external organizations that predominantly work with underserved youth in Jefferson County. They will work with low-income housing authorities, and local community-based non-profits, and potentially the local school district. Within the office, the intern will work to create collaborative programming between the volunteer native plant masters, volunteer master gardeners, ENOR camp staff, and the 4-H outreach specialist.
What student learning outcomes do you anticipate and what are the opportunities for professional development?
The intern will learn about and experience best practices for curriculum development and teaching strategies while working with diverse at-risk populations, and content knowledge experts. They will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning, while practicing program development and evaluation. Throughout the internship, the student will be engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders and community partners. They will build professional relationships while practicing their networking skills while in a supportive environment.
