Abstract

Enhancing 4-H Geospaital Science Through the State Fair 'Pipeline'
Track: Community Projects and Partnerships
Authors: Charles Malone

Geospatial Science is a fast growing technology. Cornell University Extension, 4-H, consideres Geospatial Science a vital component of its Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Program. Skills taught to youth in a non-formal education setting has increased the capacity for young people to consider geospatial sciences as education and career goals.
4-H has used an interactive 4-H display module, which we have titled the "State Fair Pipeline", as a successful vanue for informing the public of the value GIS science (specifically mapping) can be for public policy and community decision making. By this method of showcasing 4-H geospatial programs we have trained youth in leadership and presentation skills, displayed outstanding 4-H mapping projects, offered thousands from the general public the opportunity to interact with on-line and interpretive mapping, and involved partners from the Geospatial Sciences community as contributors to enhance this area of science education for many youth.