AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMAL EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM PROGRAMMING

Earth Science topics appear in the news every day and can affect our everyday lives. However, the low number of students taking Earth sciences courses in primary and secondary education is alarming. The Ohio State University Extension and Ohio 4-H Youth Development took strides to create positive change in Earth Science education by producing Geology: Can You Dig it? an informal self-learning guide for youth in grades 3rd and up. Before its creation, there was no program or project area for geosciences in Ohio's 4-H program. In the first year since its implementation over 250 students 3rd-12th grade have chosen to enroll in this project area in the 4-H program. These students are being exposed to research-based earth science activities and career exploration. After completing the projects students were asked to give feedback and their positive responses were overwhelming. Because of this positive implementation into the Ohio 4-H program Geology: Can You Dig It? has been passed National Peer Review by National 4-H Council, and is now offered to over 6 million youth in the United States and more books are being created. This presentation will share how your institution can create strategic partnerships with Cooperative Extension to produce earth science education materials to encourage the next generation of geoscientists.