The National 4-H Council recently received a $1.5 million-dollar grant from Google to enrich computer education and improve problem-solving skills. In California, Santa Clara County 4-H members will begin working with Google employees, to help develop computer science technical skills, digital fluency, and creativity in young people as part of a new 10-week program that begins September 27.
The 4-H Computer Science Career Pathway is actively recruiting youth participants, teen leaders, and adult volunteers to take part in the program. The pathway will translate abstract concepts and put them into practical experiences to allow participants to better understand the field of computer science. Santa Clara County 4-H is also partnering with Youth Alliance, based in Hollister, along with Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose to help reach underserved youth.
The overall effect of the program will exceed the 10 weekly sessions. Over the first year, an estimated 700 youth who are involved with traditional 4-H community clubs, after-school programs and other programs offered by partnering community organizations will be impacted by the 4-H computer science program. Booths will also be set up at festivals and fairs in order to reach even more young people.
Santa Clara County UC Cooperative Extension 4-H has formed a team to lead the program. UCCE 4-H program representative Claudia Damiani will be training college students to provide computer science curriculum to those involved in Youth Alliance and Sacred Heart Community Service programs. Google employee and 4-H volunteer Curtis Ullerichwill will be teaching computer science material to other volunteers in Santa Clara County. 4-H Teen Leaders Fiona Reyes and Santiago Piva will teach and mentor youth while collaborating with Ullerichwill to expand the lessons to 4-H volunteers.
Those interested in more information are encouraged to complete a brief survey provided by UCANR.