- Author: Saoimanu Sope
National 4-H Council today (Sept. 29, 2023) announced that Michaela Auyeung of Los Gatos, is a runner-up for the 2024 4-H Youth in Action Award. Auyeung is recognized nationally for her commitment to providing STEM access and improving mental and physical well-being for girls in her community.
Auyeung, 17, provides free coding classes and instruction to girls through her program, Girls Who Love to Code. Through partnerships with two school systems, Girls Who Love to Code has engaged more than 250 girls while seeking to close the opportunity and education gap for girls in STEM. Auyeung also provided mental health workshops to aid students in addressing anxiety and created two school pantries to provide hygiene items, school supplies, and snacks to students in need. A senior in high school, Auyeung plans to continue to advocate for gender and socioeconomic equality in education through her outreach and beyond.
The 4-H Youth in Action Awards began in 2010 to recognize 4-H'ers who have overcome challenges and used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community. To learn more about the 4-H Youth in Action program and the 2024 runners-up, please visit http://4-H.org/YouthInAction.
About 4-H
4-H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H. To learn more about the California 4-H Program, visit: https://4h.ucanr.edu/.
/span>- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
UC ANR hosted the 11th annual North Bay Science Discovery Day on March 11. The science festival was designed to spark young people's curiosity and wonder for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The event was free for the public and held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
“We had an estimated attendance of between 8,000 to 10,000 attendees (even with rain!) participating in 100 hands-on STEM activities offered by 70 organizations,” said Steven Worker, UC Cooperative Extension 4-Hadvisor forSonoma,Napa and Marin counties, who organized North Bay Science Discovery Day.
- Author: Denise Godbout-Avant
With their complex social structure and “waggle dance” to inform hive members where food sources are located, honeybees are fascinating creatures.
But honeybees are not the only bees flitting about the flowers on our crops and in our gardens in search of nectar. There over 4,000 species of bees in California.
Other Bees
There are over 1,600 species of native bees in California. Unlike honeybees and Bumble bees, most are solitary in nature, and do not produce honey or wax for consumption by others. In North America, only the European honeybee and Bumble bees build hives and live in colonies.
There are 3 basic types of bee nesting:
- Ground nesting bees, which make up 70% of bees. Mining bees are an example of these.
- Stem and wood nesting bees, such as leaf cutter bees or mason bees, make up another 30% of bees.
- Colony nesting bees, such as honeybees and bumble bees make up less than 1% of all bees in North America.
Bees are in Trouble
Some ways you can help:
- Plant a garden full of flowering plants to attract bees and other important pollinators. Make sure you have something bloom during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
- If you use a pesticide, choose one that is less toxic such as a horticultural soap or oil.
- Provide a space for nesting bees, with bee houses and bare patches of soil.
Upcoming Bee Talk
Date: Wednesday, September 14
Time: 3:15 – 4:15pm
Location: Modesto Junior College West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave., Science Community Center in room 115
Denise Godbout-Avant has been a Master Gardener in Stanislaus County since 2020.
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- Author: Ricardo A. Vela
Jesús Peña, recientemente obtuvo su título de doctorado en microbiología de la Universidad de California en Riverside, y su motivación para estudiar una carrera en ciencias la decidió desde muy joven gracias a las pláticas y enseñanzas que obtuvo de sus padres.
“Mi familia jugó un papel importante en mi decisión de dedicarme a la ciencia. Mi papá creció en México y quería ser profesor de ciencias, pero no tenía acceso a esas oportunidades”, comenta Peña. “Él y mi madre me animaron a sentir curiosidad por el mundo, el medioambiente y compartir ese conocimiento con otros en mi comunidad”, dijo el joven científico latino.
Aunque cada día aumenta más la participación de los latinos en las carreras científicas, este grupo continúa estando subrepresentado en el ámbito laboral. Un nuevo informe del Centro de Investigación Pew indica que hace faltan que haya más representación de latinos en las carreras y campos de ciencia, tecnología ingeniería y matemáticas (STEM) para atraer a más jóvenes hispanos a esas carreras.
Y para aquellos que logran la meta, los recién graduados como Peña, enfrentan un duro golpe cuando empieza su búsqueda por un empleo. De acuerdo con el reporte están claramente subrepresentados entre las filas de los científicos y aquellos en profesiones afines. Los adultos hispanos representan el 17% de la fuerza laboral de los Estados Unidos, pero solo el 8% de los trabajan en un empleo de ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería o matemáticas (STEM).
“Es importante que los latinos se unan a la fuerza laboral científica, ya que somos uno de los muchos grupos que contribuyen a la ciencia a través de los impuestos, debemos estar representados entre los grupos que realmente están haciendo el trabajo, es decir, los científicos”. dijo Peña.
Los latinos es uno de los grupos étnicos de más rápido crecimiento en la nación. En California el 39.4% de la población es hispana y a nivel nacional, los latinos suman 62.1 millones en 2020, lo que representa el 19% de todos los estadounidenses, es decir es el segundo grupo étnico más numeroso en el país, según la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos.
De ahí que aumentar a los latinos en las filas de las ciencias es un enorme reto que ha sido abordado por varios científicos de la División de Agricultura y Recursos Naturales de la Universidad de California, UCANR desde diferentes perspectivas.
Jairo Díaz, director del Centro de Investigación del Desierto de UCANR, en donde se desarrollan varias investigaciones sobre cómo producir los alimentos utilizando menos agua, muchas otras investigaciones, dijo que en ese centro cuenta con programa comunitario que invita a grupos de estudiantes latinos de diferentes grados escolares a participar en actividades para poner en práctica la aplicación de la ciencia en la agricultura.
“Involucro a los jóvenes en temas de Ciencia utilizando factores locales relevantes. Obtengo subvenciones que brindan oportunidades de pasantías a estudiantes universitarios para obtener nuevos conocimientos y habilidades necesarias para tener éxito en las carreras científicas”, señala Díaz.
Mientras que Carmen Gispert, entomóloga de Extensión Cooperativas en los condados de Riverside, Imperial y San Diego pone su interés en promover las carreras científicas especialmente entre mujeres.
“He servido como mentor de estudiantes de secundaria, y los he alentado a seguir una carrera en ciencias. Los padres de muchos de estos estudiantes eran trabajadores agrícolas.
He estado particularmente interesada en motivar a las jovencitas, contándoles sobre mi experiencia personal en una carrera en ciencias dominada por hombres”, comenta Gispert.
Liliana Vega, asesora de desarrollo juvenil de CA 4-H de la Extensión Cooperativa del condado de Santa Barbara, ha puesto en marcha un programa llamado “Chispa” o “Career Spark” por su nombre en inglés en el cual mensualmente destacan a los profesionales latinos y discuten con los estudiantes sus caminos, las barreras que enfrentaron al optar ir a la universidad y las carreras en STEM.
En 2015, UCANR implementó la conferencia anual “Juntos” que forma parte de la Iniciativa Latina de UC ANR que tiene el objetivo de aumentar el número de latinos en la educación superior y en las ciencias. en la conferencia los jóvenes estudiantes latinos de todo California conviven por varios días en un Campus Universitario. Ellos experimentan de primera mano lo que significa estudiar en una universidad, además de que se ofrecen pláticas con profesionales latinos de diversas áreas para estimularlos a continuar con sus estudios universitarios e ingresar a una carrera en STEM.
Asimismo, hace unos años se implementó el programa 4-H Water Wizards, patrocinado por el Departamento Federal de Agricultura o USDA que tiene como objetivo que los estudiantes de bajos recursos latinos y afroamericanos, tengan acceso a la ciencia práctica desde temprana edad a través de actividades que desarrollan con científicos de UC ANR latinos que hablen en su idioma y se identifiquen con ellos.
Claudia Díaz-Carrasco asesora de desarrollo juvenil de 4-H es parte de la Iniciativa Latina y ha recibido numerosos reconocimientos por su compromiso de promover las carreras científicas entre latinos. Ella ve con optimismo los logros realizados hasta ahora.
"Me asocié con el superintendente de escuelas de San Bernardino a través de su división de aprendizaje ampliada. Hemos estado colaborando desde 2019 para crear un centro STEM para programas extracurriculares en la región. Este proyecto en equipo ha servido para inspirar a la próxima generación de científicos e ingenieros en el sur de California”, dijo Díaz-Carrasco.
Desde 2010, ha habido una proporción creciente de estudiantes hispanos que asisten y se gradúan de la universidad, así como un aumento en el número de estudiantes que obtiene una licenciatura en un campo STEM. Aun así, los s hispanos siguen estando subrepresentados entre los graduados universitarios en ciencias.
El reporte del Centro de Investigación Pew dice que los jóvenes hispanos serían al menos un poco más propensos a obtener títulos universitarios en STEM si tuvieran un maestro de STEM de secundaria que fuera latino.
Samuel Sandoval-Solís, profesor asociado de la Universidad de California Davis – UC Davis y especialista en Extensión Cooperativa en Recursos Hídricos, señala que la contratación de científicos latinos es un problema recurrente en instituciones educativas y si bien se ha avanzado, los pasos son lentos.
“En los diez años que llevo enseñando en UC Davis, muchas veces los alumnos mencionan que soy su primer profesor de ciencias que es hispano, por lo que no se sienten representados en el cuerpo docente. Si bien estos pueden ser pequeños esfuerzos, creo que lenta pero seguramente los jóvenes de nuestra comunidad hispana están reconociendo que es posible ser un científico, eso es genial para nuestros jóvenes”, comentó Sandoval Solís.
- Author: Ricardo A. Vela
Jesús Peña recently earned his doctoral degree in microbiology from the University of California, Riverside. His motivation to study a career in science was decided from a very young age thanks to talks and teachings from his parents.
"My family played an important role in my decision to pursue science. My dad grew up in Mexico and wanted to be a science teacher, but he didn't have access to those opportunities," says Peña. "He and my mother encouraged me to be curious about the world and the environment and share that knowledge with others in my community," said the young Latino scientist.
Although the participation of Latinos in scientific careers is increasing every day, this group continues to be underrepresented in the workplace. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center indicates that Latinos need more representation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers and fields to attract more young Hispanics to those careers.
"Latinos need to join the scientific workforce because we're among the many groups contributing to science through taxation. We must be represented among the workgroups, that is, the scientists." Peña said.
Latinos are one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the nation. In California, 39.4% of the population is Hispanic, and nationally, Latinos total 62.1 million in 2020, representing 19% of all Americans. That is, it is the second-largest ethnic group in the country, according to the United States Census Bureau.
Hence, increasing Latinos in the ranks of the sciences is a huge challenge that is being addressed by several scientists in University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC ANR, from different perspectives.
Jairo Díaz, director of the UCANR Desert Research and Extension Center, oversees a community program that invites groups of Latino grade school to college-age students to participate in activities that apply science in agriculture at Desert REC, where several experiments are underway to produce food using less water, among other studies.
"I engage young people in science issues using relevant local factors. I get grants that provide internship opportunities for college students to gain new knowledge and skills needed to succeed in scientific careers," Diaz said.
Carmen Gispert, an entomologist at Extension Cooperatives in Riverside, Imperial, and San Diego counties, puts her interest in promoting scientific careers, especially among women.
"I have served as a mentor to high school students and encouraged them to pursue a career in science. The parents of many of these students were farmworkers. I have been particularly interested in motivating young women, telling them about my personal experience in a male-dominated career in science," Gispert said.
Liliana Vega, California 4-H youth development advisor for UC Cooperative Extension in Santa Barbara County, has launched a program called "Chispa" or "Career Spark," in which Hispanic professionals discuss with students their paths, barriers they faced when choosing to go to college, and careers in STEM.
Claudia Díaz-Carrasco, UC Cooperative Extension youth development advisor, is part of the 4-H Latino Initiative and has received numerous awards for her commitment to promoting scientific careers among Latinos. She is optimistic about the achievements made so far.
"I partnered with the San Bernardino Superintendent of Schools through his expanded learning division. We have been collaborating since 2019 to create a STEM center for after-school programs in the region. This team project has inspired the next generation of scientists and engineers in Southern California," Diaz-Carrasco said.
In 2015, UC ANR hosted the first annual conference "Juntos," which is part of UC ANR's Latino Initiative to increase the number of Latinos in higher education and science. At the conference, young Latino students from all over California live together for several days on a University Campus. They experience firsthand what it means to study at a university, in addition to hearing talks from Latino professionals from various disciplines to encourage them to continue their university studies and enter a career in STEM.
A few years ago, the 4-H Water Wizards program was launched, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or USDA, which aims to ensure that low-income Latino and African-American students have access to practical science from an early age through activities they develop with UC ANR Latino scientists who speak in their language.
The Pew Research Center reports young Hispanics would be at least slightly more likely to earn college degrees in STEM if they had a high school STEM teacher who was Latino.
Samuel Sandoval Solís, associate professor at the University of California, Davis and UC Cooperative Extension water resources specialist, points out that although progress has been made, hiring Latino scientists is slow in educational institutions.
"In the 10 years I've been teaching at UC Davis, students often mention that I'm their first science teacher who is Hispanic, so they don't feel represented on the faculty. While these may be small efforts, I think slowly, but surely the youth of our Hispanic community recognizes that it's possible to be a scientist; that's great for our young people," Sandoval Solis said.