Posted: July 12, 2023
Through a competitive application process, Toni Stuetz, 4-H youth development educator with Penn State Extension in Chester County, was selected to assist in planning the National 4-H STEM Challenge. Stuetz is one of four 4-H educators from across the country chosen to collaborate with the National 4-H Council on this initiative.
Toni Stuetz
Since 1991, Stuetz has worked with the extension program in Chester County to support and expand 4-H through various outreach efforts. She serves as part of the Pennsylvania 4-H STEM team and supports science, technology, engineering and mathematics outreach locally, regionally and across the state.
Stuetz explained that the National 4-H STEM Challenge once was known as National Youth Science Day and began about 15 years ago as a one-day initiative across the country to engage kids in STEM. Over time, the challenge became more comprehensive with elements such as a design kit and educational curriculum. This expansion allows for 4-H members to engage with the material for longer than a single day and reflects the growing interest in STEM, Stuetz noted.
The theme of this year's challenge revolves around energy, with a kit scheduled for release at the end of July.
According to Stuetz, the planning process for the National 4-H STEM Challenge begins about a year before its release, considering the extensive groundwork involved. As a team member, Stuetz currently is involved in the preparation of next year's challenge, scheduled for release in summer 2024, with a focus on food security. The challenge will include hands-on educational activities and a game component.
Stuetz participates in weekly virtual meetings to collaborate on the project. She recently spent two days at Louisiana State University, working alongside representatives from the National 4-H Council and the three other educators, to design and develop the curriculum and lessons. Following this, the team conducted pilot testing with a group of children to evaluate the effectiveness of their materials.
"Currently, we are in the phase of adjusting, adapting, and expanding based on the feedback received," Stuetz said. "Throughout the summer, we will continue making modifications, aiming to finalize most of the kit by September or early October."
This will allow the team to source the necessary materials for the game. While the National 4-H Council handles the supply chain and production aspects, the four educators will conduct further beta testing to ensure the instructions are clear and make any necessary adaptations.
"It's a lengthy process, and the goal for next year is to release the kit earlier, as some states and counties have expressed interest in using it for summer programs or short-term special interest activities," Stuetz said.
Driven by a passion for STEM, Stuetz has taken on state leadership roles to raise awareness about the wealth of available resources.
"I have been using the challenges since they were initially released; there are some that I truly enjoy and have utilized repeatedly," Stuetz said.
She promotes these challenges to 4-H volunteers, highlighting their user-friendly nature: "These lessons are designed for ease of use and can be implemented without much preparation. They have undergone extensive testing and have been well-received by the kids."
Stuetz has adapted the lessons for after-school programs, particularly those serving low-literacy or migrant communities. The kits also provide options for educators or volunteers leading the activities to tailor the program based on the available time and the desired level of engagement. Typically, the kits have consisted of at least three lessons, each with a recommended duration of 45 to 60 minutes. Additional activities can extend the duration of the program to six or eight hours.
"Research indicates that our children are falling further behind those in other nations," Stuetz said. "Our goal is to make STEM accessible and show that science, technology, engineering and math are all around us. They are present in everything we do, from advanced calculus to basic tasks such as reading a recipe. By illustrating how these disciplines are relevant in their everyday lives, we hope to reduce intimidation and encourage kids to give STEM a try."
To learn more about the STEM challenge or other STEM opportunities within the 4-H program,
Stuetz recommends that students reach out to their local 4-H extension educators.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the United States Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
