The excitement and dreams you may experience about sending a rocket into space, making a first solo flight, becoming an astronaut or perhaps someday visiting other planets, and learning what they provide can be exciting. In the aerospace project, you will enjoy learning more about your dreams through hands on experiences and group interaction.

Each participant will receive a complete set of Aerospace Adventures project books. Additional copies can be ordered from 4-H Mall (www.4-Hcurriculum.org).

Computers, instant messaging, facebook, twitter and e-mail are just a few methods used to communicate today. Afterschool youth will increase their knowledge of how to maximize emerging technology. Youth will use and demonstrate advanced technology to enhance their educational experiences particularly in rural areas, and help provide entrepreneurial and technical skills to other youth. They will learn skills to help navigate the World Wide Web, create presentations through user-friendly hands-on experiences, such as virtual 4-H clubs, cyber citizenship and cyber camping.

Most educators agree that service learning is a teaching strategy that applies education to student-identified community issues. As youth identify these issues, they learn they are part of a community. Afterschool youth will learn different types of service: direct, indirect and advocacy. Experiential learning will occur where students apply knowledge, skills and wise judgment to address genuine community needs.

Many youth have an entrepreneurial spirit. Some take action to bring that spirit to life through enterprises such as lemonade stands, lawn mowing services and babysitting. What do kids know about being entrepreneurs? Turns out their curiosity about the world around them, natural creativity, willingness to take risks and unbridled enthusiasm are similar to the characteristics of our greatest entrepreneurs. As youth grow older, they tend to engage in entrepreneurial activity less often, partly because they feel they lack the education and skills needed. These educational activities are designed to introduce youth of different ages to basic concepts related to entrepreneurship, including market research, business planning, marketing, financial analysis and record keeping. Other life skills taught include communication, decision-making, teamwork, learning, relationships, management and understanding self.

OurSpace…Dimensions of Diversity

The face of the United States and its workplace is changing. A growing number of neighborhoods and communities contain a complex mix of races, cultures, languages, and religious affiliations. For these reasons, today’s youth and adults are more likely to face the challenges of interacting and working with people different from themselves. The ability to relate well to all types of people in the workplace is a leadership skill that is becoming increasingly important. Youth will engage in activities to help them understand, accept, and value diverse backgrounds and help young people and adults to thrive in this ever-changing society and in our global world.