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俱乐部为中学生准备STEM工作场所。该项目以现有的以研究为基础的科学技术测试项目为基础并加以扩展，开发和测试新的国家课程，以介绍基本技术技能，培养解决问题和探究的技能，并鼓励团队合作。我们设计了一个专业发展模式，以支持青少年学习以信息和通信技术为重点的概念，并将其交付给成人志愿者、课后教育者和家长。通过合作和社交网络的机会以及在项目可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素养、态度和工作技能的影响有据可查。进行研究是为了更好地了解在非正式学习环境中展示的动手、探究式机器人和GPS/GIS活动如何有效地激发年轻人的兴趣，并为他们进入STEM劳动力做好准备。研究问题包括教育机器人干预如何影响青少年STEM素养、劳动力技能和对STEM内容的态度。该研究还调查了使用4-H机器人课程对非正式教育者的教学实践、他们的STEM内容知识和他们的信心产生积极影响。

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.