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

机器人和GPS/GIS in 4-H：21世纪的劳动力技能是一个为期五年的扩大项目，旨在使用4-H俱乐部为中学青年进入STEM工作场所做好准备。该项目以现有的研究型ITEST项目为基础，通过开发和测试新的国家课程，引入基本技术技能，培养解决问题和探究的技能，并鼓励团队合作，对现有的ITEST项目进行了扩展。为支持青年学习以信息和通信技术为重点的概念，设计了一种专业发展模式，并将其提供给成年志愿者、课后教育工作者和家长。通过合作和建立社会网络的机会以及在项目成果中灌输文化意识，扩大了女孩和代表性不足人群的参与。记录了这些活动对青年STEM扫盲、态度和工作技能的影响。开展研究是为了更好地了解在非正式学习环境中开展的实践、基于探究的机器人技术和GPS/地理信息系统活动如何能够有效地吸引年轻人，并使他们为STEM劳动力做好准备。研究问题包括衡量教育机器人干预如何影响青年STEM识字、劳动力技能和对STEM内容的态度。本研究还调查了4-H机器人课程的使用对非正式教育者的教学实践、STEM内容知识和信心的积极影响。

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.