Skip to main content
more options

4-H Career Exploration Youth Conference

July 31, 2006

Photo of New York City County 4-H group

Cornell Cooperative Extension's 4-H Youth Development program has conducted a 3-day statewide event for youth on the Cornell University campus for over 70 years

Cornell Cooperative Extension's 4-H Youth Development program has conducted a 3-day statewide event for youth on the Cornell University campus for over 70 years. This year, twenty-one students and chaperones traveled to Cornell University to participate in the 4-H Career Exploration Youth Conference from June 27-29.

4-Hers made friends from all over New York State. They stayed in dorms, ate great campus food, and enjoyed the outdoors and evening entertainment.

4-H Career Explorations provides 4-Hers from all over New York State with opportunities to:

  • Explore academic fields and careers
  • Develop leadership skills
  • Provide hands-on experience in a college setting
  • Introduce youth to Cornell University

Focus For Teens

Photo of New York City County 4-H group

4-H Career Explorations provides 4-Hers from all over New York State with opportunities to explore academic fields and careers, develop leadership skills, provide hands-on experience in a college setting, and introduce youth to Cornell University

"This is so cool!", veteran 4-Her Joseflewis Rodriguez (York College 4-H club) commented. "I've finally gotten into the Veterinary Science program. Yes!". He, and fellow 4-Her Keilly Hernandez (4-H Science Intern), engaged in hands-on science, just as vets do, dissecting animals and examining cows.

4-Hers from grades 10 to 12 participated in the Focus For Teens program. Students were asked to "Think Like A Scientist" as they attended classes in areas such as Veterinary Science, Microfluidics and Massive Tools Reveal. Michael Liu (4-H Youth Council) and Magali Romero (York College 4-H Club) enjoyed their Microfluidics classes. At the "Science Café", the duo talked with Dr. Larry Walker about his lecture on Biofuels.

University U

Students from grades 8 and 9 participated in the University U program, which introduces students to campus as well as provides a broad flavor of the diversity of programs and interests. Students participated in workshops such as Dog Science CSI, Engineering Exploration, Forecasting the Weather, Exploring Community Service, Marvelous Materials.

New York City and Westchester county 4-H sponsored a "Youth Favorite Places" booth at the conference, highlighting their 4-H work with GIS technology and collecting data to be added to the national 4-H website. Check out New York at the website http://www.youthfavoriteplaces.org.

Fun at Cornell

The 4-H Career Explorations program allows youth to have fun while learning about science, technology, humanities and about themselves. Youth swam, bowled at Helen Newman Hall, and played billiards at RPCC, but the event would not be complete without the closing party. New York City 4-Her Jessica Espinal won first place in the female dance contest.

Thank You for Your Support

New York City 4-H Youth Development would like to say thank you to the following for their support of our participation in the Career Exploration Program:

  • Helene R. Dillard, Director Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Barb Schirmer, New York State 4-H Program Leader
  • Robert Harris Jr., Cornell Vice Provost for Diversity
  • Cornell's Laboratory for Elementary-Particle Physics (LEPP)
  • Statewide 4-H team

More Information

Students must apply to participate in the program through their local 4-H office. If you are interested in participating next year, please call CUCE-NYC 4-H Leader Lucinda Randolph-Benjamin at (212)340-2964.