Scale-Up: National Robotics in 4-H: Workforce Skills for the 21st Century

4-H中的机器人和GPS/GIS：21世纪的劳动力技能是一个为期五年的扩大项目，利用4-H俱乐部为中学青年准备STEM工作场所。 该项目以现有的以研究为基础的技术创新和技术培训项目为基础，并加以扩展，制定和测试新的国家课程，介绍基本技术技能，培养解决问题和探究技能，并鼓励团队合作。 设计并向成人志愿人员、课后教育工作者和家长提供了一个专业发展模式，以支持青年学习信息和通信技术概念。 通过提供合作和社会网络的机会以及在项目交付成果中注入文化意识，扩大了女孩和代表性不足人口的参与。 这些活动对青年STEM扫盲、态度和工作技能的影响都有记录。 进行研究，以更好地了解如何动手，探究为基础的机器人和GPS/GIS活动在非正式的学习环境中提出可以有效地感兴趣，并准备青年干劳动力。 研究问题包括教育机器人干预措施如何影响青年STEM素养，劳动力技能以及对STEM内容的态度。 该研究还调查了4-H机器人课程的使用，以积极影响非正式教育工作者的教学实践，他们的STEM内容知识和信心。

Robotics and GPS/GIS in 4-H: Workforce Skills for the 21st Century is a-five year scale-up project to use 4-H clubs to prepare middle school youth for the STEM workplace. The project builds on and extends an existing research-based ITEST project by developing and testing new national curricula to introduce basic technology skills, foster problem solving and inquiry skills, and encourage teamwork. A professional development model to support youth learning of concepts focused on information and communications technology is designed and delivered to adult volunteers, after-school educators, and parents. The participation of girls and underrepresented populations is broadened through opportunities for collaboration and social networking and infusing cultural awareness within the project deliverables. The impact of these activities on youth STEM literacy, attitudes and workplace skills is documented. Research is performed to better understand how hands-on, inquiry-based robotics and GPS/GIS activities presented in an informal learning environment can effectively interest and prepare youth for the STEM workforce. Research questions include measures of how educational robotics interventions impact youth STEM literacy, workforce skills, and attitudes about STEM content. The research also investigates the use of the 4-H robotics curriculum to positively impact instructional practice of informal educators, their STEM content knowledge and their confidence.