There has been a resurgence in the do-it-yourself (DIY) culture around the world, and it is finding a home in Virginia 4-H. The Make Movement encompasses unique solutions to problems through “tinkering, “individual planning, and group collaboration. Examples of some of the areas include modifying homemade objects by repurposing, reusing, and upcycling; fabricating scientific equipment to participate in citizen science; self-publishing books and records, and employing shortcuts or novel methods to increase productivity. 4-H has engaged youth in making since its beginnings in 1902 with a wide variety of projects – sewing, quilting, gardening, woodworking, and many others, all examples of DIY. Making is inherent to 4-H, both historically and culturally, it is deeply embedded in diverse and engaging projects in which 4-H youth participate each year. The Make Education movement capitalizes on “thinking with the hands through a hands-on, minds-on, design-based learning approach that integrates science, art, technology, math, and engineering. 4-H youth of all ages and across all delivery modes have become engaged in this revitalized movement.
( Worker & Ambrose, 2013)

In Virginia, 4-H has provided professional development trainings to 4-H Agents in collaboration with ICAT (Institute of Creativity, Arts and Technology), on Virginia Tech’s campus, and at the 4-H Symposium in November, 2013. Funding from Cognizant Solutions, Inc. provided an opportunity to develop and pilot a co-curricular 4-H Maker program in Hanover County, Virginia, expanding an interest in a mini program started out of local interest. At the end of this learning experience, participating youth were additionally funded by Cognizant to attend and train others in the Youth Pavilion at the World Maker Faire in New York City.

A second statewide maker training using kits that are being piloted in March and will be created for agent check out occur as a pre-conference training on May 20, 2014 before the 2014 VESA Meeting at the W.E. Skelton Center, Wirtz, Va. A “Maker” from the grant, a coordinator of the kits, and two electrical engineering graduate students from Virginia Tech will provide support to the 10:00 AM- 9 PM Training on May 20th. The evening session will be an exploration of kits with folks available to answer questions on ways to deepen learning and assist in developing plans for your locality.

Thoughts and Comments on the Make Movement and California 4-H
May 9, 2013. Steven Worker (smworker@ucanr.edu) and Andrea Ambrose (apambrose@ucanr.edu)

Volunteers are an integral part of Virginia Cooperative Extension and allow us to extend our educational and outreach efforts. All Virginia Cooperative Extension volunteers are required to complete the application, screening, and enrollment process. The Virginia Cooperative Extension enrollment forms have been updated and posted on the public website and intranet. Please use the updated forms when enrolling and re-enrolling volunteers.

The “Recommended Use of VCE Volunteer Application/Enrollment Forms” tip sheet can assist you in determining which enrollment form to use. All volunteers must complete an enrollment or re-enrollment form ANNUALLY, along with a Standards of Behavior for Virginia 4-H Adult Volunteers and 4-H Adult Health History if working with youth. Master Volunteer programs have their own program specific enrollment and re-enrollment forms.

Please visit the Volunteer Development page on the intranet for Volunteer Development Updates, guidelines, and resources. Additional updates, including progress on the Volunteer Background Screening Process, will be posted and distributed soon.

Updated Volunteer Enrollment Forms are now posted the VCE Publication Page under commonly used forms. – http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/category/volunteer-forms.html

Updated 4-H Volunteer Enrollment Forms are also posted on the Virginia 4-H commonly used forms page. – http://www.4-h.ext.vt.edu/forms/index.html

Volunteer Development Intranet resources. – http://www.intra.ext.vt.edu/support/volunteer/index.html

Thank you,
Jeremy

March 29-30, 2014
Mimslyn Inn, Luray, VA

Join the Virginia Association of Adult Volunteer Leader’s for the 2014 Spring Conference in Luray, Virginia. Participants will have the opportunity to attend educational workshops, educational EdVentures, and much more! The VAA4-HVL Conference offers diverse learning experiences with other volunteers from across the Commonwealth. Most importantly, the conference is also great place to network and share information, programs, and ideas with participants from other 4-H Programs. Plan to attend and start recruiting volunteers to come with you! Registration deadline is March 14, 2014 to avoid a $15 late fee. Registration form, draft schedule, description of EdVentures, and scholarship information can be found by clicking the link below.

VAA4HVL Spring 2014 Conference Registration Form

Schedule Draft

EdVentures

VAA4HVL Spring 2014 Conference Registration Form

Due to low registration, the Statewide Teen Weekend scheduled for Feb. 21-23 at the NOVA 4-H Center has been cancelled. All registered participants have been contacted.