Steven Worker

4-H Youth Development Advisor, San Francisco North Bay (Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties; 2016 to present)
Dr. Steven Worker leads extension education and applied research in youth development focusing on informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and computer science education. His research emphasis is the adaptation, piloting, and evaluation of informal STEM youth development programs that incorporate culturally relevant practices to engage culturally diverse youth. Dr. Worker empowers young people through consequential STEM and computer science learning and supports volunteer educators in enhancing their teaching methods to improve program quality.

Recent projects include:

1. strengthening the North Bay's STEM learning ecosystem (through the North Bay Science Discovery Day science expo; Imagine Science partnership between 4-H, Sonoma YMCA, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Napa; and Tinker Academy).
2. youth participatory action research.
3. iCode-strengthening computational thinking and positive ethnic-racial identity through computer science education curriculum development
4. programs to boost high school students' college readiness through mentorships with college students and professionals.
5. programs and research to cultivate 4-H partnerships with expanded learning organizations.
6. curriculum to help youth learn about reducing environmental impacts of petroleum-based plastics (sustainable polymers).
7. conducted a study of California 4-H alumni. 

New projects include: 

1. agricultural-use-case uncrewed aircraft systems (drones) curriculum development (Ag from Above x Ag for All [AFA2]).
2. environmental and climate justice with middle school students (ResilientRoots). 

Programmatically, Dr. Worker provides academic leadership to 4-H clubs, summer camps, college readiness and expanded learning partnerships. These programs are facilitated by 600 adult volunteers and serve over 3,000 youth.

UC ANR Healthy Families and Communities Strategic Initiative Leader (November 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025)
Provide leadership for healthy family and community efforts, program teams, and workgroups, to improve communication, help unify, and advocate to promote the science and impact of the work of UC ANR. Convene a strategic initiative panel and serve on program council. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Interim Assistant 4-H Youth Development Program Leader for the California 4-H Strategic Plan (October 2022 to August 2024)
Dr. Worker facilitated the revision, activation, and assessment of the UC 4-H Strategic Plan 2023-2028. Reviewed strategic themes and goals, prioritized actions, and developed metrics to assess progress. Convened teams to complete deliverables.

4-H Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Coordinator (2009-2016)
Worker managed professional and volunteer development for science educators, coordinated program and curriculum development and evaluation, and resource development. His work drew upon inquiry and experientially-based pedagogies grounded in a positive youth development approach. Worker co-authored two nationally peer-reviewed and published curricula, There’s No New Water! and Junk Drawer Robotics, along with a California curricula, iThrive: Leadership, Science & Me! 

State 4-H Program Representative (2001-2009)
Worker provided leadership to the 4-H State Leadership Conference, 4-H State Ambassador program, 4-H Record Book, 4-H Technology Leadership Team, and other statewide 4-H adolescent leadership development and recognition programs. 

4-H Alumni
Worker is a 4-H alumni from Santa Barbara County (1991-1999). He served as a 4-H All Star (1996-1998; 4-H County Ambassador), earned his Emerald Star (1995), was a 4-H camp counselor, attended the 1998 National 4-H Conference, and served as a State 4-H Diamond Star (1998-1999; renamed now as "4-H State Ambassador"). In 1998, Worker co-founded the 4-H Technology Leadership Team, a group of youth and adults working to integrate technology into 4-H programming. 

UNIVERSITY SERVICE

• ANR Peer Review and Publications Associate Editor
• ANR Science Literacy Program Team Chair (2019-2025)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• American Educational Research Association (AERA): Out-of-School Time Special Interest Group
• International Society of the Learning Sciences (ISLS)
• National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST)
• National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) and the California 4-H Association (CA4-HA)

HONORS AND AWARDS

• National Urban Research and Extension Center (2023-2024) Research Fellowship | Computer science education curriculum development to support computational thinking and positive ethnic-racial identity.
• American Educational Research Association (2022): Out-of-School Time Special Interest Group | Scholar Award for Outstanding Research
• University of California 4-H Youth Development Program (2022): 4-H Golden Clover Award | 4-H Public Speaking & Communications
• National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals
  • 2021                Diversity and Inclusion: Expanding the 4-H Audience Team Award
  • 2018                Meritorious Service Award
  • 2014                Distinguished Service Award
  • 2006                Achievement in Service Award 

PUBLIC SERVICE AND AFFILITATIONS

• North Bay Science Discovery Day (Chair: 2019-2025): To spark curiosity for STEM learning (annual science festival).
• Current Issues in Out-of-School Time Book Series Publication Board (2021-2026)
• Journal of Youth Development Associate Editor (2023-2025)
• Child Care Planning Council of Sonoma County (2021-2024)
• The Nature Lodge Board of Directors (2018-2024): To inspire, encourage and educate environmental stewards of today, for a more sustainable future.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning

• Worker, S. M., Nayak, R., & Moncloa, F. (2024). California 4-H computer science education pathway. Journal of Extension, 62(1). https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol62/iss1/9/
• Worker, S. M., Espinoza, D., Kok, C. M., Neas, S., & Smith, M. H. (2023). Youth participatory action research: Integrating science learning and civic engagement. California Agriculture, 77(2), 74-82. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0009
• Worker, S. M., Neas, S., Espinoza, D., Kok, C M., & Smith, M. (2023). Youth science learning as/for community participation: Examples from youth participatory action research. Journal of Youth Development, 18(1). https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/jyd/vol18/iss1/3
• Worker, S. M. (2019). Development of an artifact-based evaluation framework for assessing 4-H learner outcomes. Journal of Extension, 57(1). https://www.joe.org/joe/2019february/rb2.php
• Worker, S. M., Schmitt-McQuitty, L., Ambrose, A., Brian, K., Schoenfelder, E., & Smith, M. H. (2017). Multiple-methods needs assessment of California 4-H science education programming. Journal of Extension, 55(2). https://www.joe.org/joe/2017april/rb4.php
• Smith, M., Worker, S., Meehan, C., Schmitt-McQuitty, L., Ambrose, A., Brian, K., & Schoenfelder, E. (2017). Defining and developing curricula in the context of Cooperative Extension. Journal of Extension, 55(2). https://www.joe.org/joe/2017april/a4.php
• Smith, M. H., Worker, S. M., Ambrose, A. P., & Schmitt-McQuitty, L. (2015). Including civic engagement as a competent of scientific literacy. Science Education and Civic Engagement: An International Journal, 7(2), 23-27.
• Smith, M., Worker, S., Ambrose, A., & Schmitt-McQuitty, L. (2015). Scientific literacy: California 4-H defines it from citizens’ perspective. California Agriculture, 69(2), 92-97. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.v069n02p92
• Lewis, K., & Worker, S. (2015). Examination of attitude and interest measures for 4-H science evaluation. Journal of Extension, 53(3). https://joe.org/joe/2015june/rb4.php
• Worker, S. M. & Smith, M. H. (2014). Curriculum and professional development for OST science education: Lessons learned from California 4-H. Afterschool Matters, 20, 21-27.
• Worker, S.M. (2013). Embracing scientific and engineering practices in 4-H. Journal of Extension, 51(3).
• Smith, M., Heck, K., & Worker, S. (2012). 4-H boosts youth scientific literacy with ANR water education curriculum. California Agriculture, 66(4), 158-163.

Youth development with an emphasis on diversity and equity

• Worker, S., Moncloa, F., & Mitchell-Hawkins, V. (2024). Integrating computer science education and ethnic-racial identity exploration within a social justice youth development framework. Journal of Youth Development, 19(3). https://open.clemson.edu/jyd/vol19/iss3/1
• Worker, S. M.; Fábregas Janeiro, M. G.; Schmitt-McQuitty, L. (2021). Latino volunteerism in the 4-H Youth Development Program. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 9(3), 206-219. https://www.jhseonline.com/article/view/1125
• Worker, S. M., Janeiro, M. F., Lewis, K. (2020). Youth in 4-H Latino Initiative programs achieve similar outcomes to youth in 4-H community clubs. California Agriculture, 74(1), 40-45. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2019a0027
• Worker, S.M., Fabregas Janeiro, M. G., Diaz Carrasco, C. P., & Soule, K. E. (2019). University of California 4-H Latino Initiative: Experiences of bicultural and bilingual staff. Journal of Youth Development, 14(3), 31-44. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2019.667

4-H Youth Development

• Marshall-Wheeler, N., Nayak, R., Iaccopucci, A., & Worker, S. (2023). Long-term outcomes of early adult 4-H alumni. The Journal of Extension, 61(2). https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.61.02.02
• Lewis, K. M., Kok, C. M., Worker, S., & Miner, G. (2021). Exploring the relationship between program experience and youth developmental outcomes. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 9(3), 68-106. https://www.jhseonline.com/article/view/1137
• Worker, S. M., Iaccopucci, A. M., Bird, M., & Horowitz, M. (2019). Promoting positive youth development through teenagers-as-teachers programs. Journal of Adolescent Research, 34(1), 30-54. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0743558418764089
• Worker, S. M., Ouellette, K. L., & Maille, A. (2017). Redefining the concept of learning in Cooperative Extension. Journal of Extension, 55(3). https://www.joe.org/joe/2017june/a3.php

Public speaking

• Nayak, R., Worker, S., & Marshall-Wheeler, N. (2025). Youth public speaking self-efficacy survey tool. Journal of Extension, 63(1). https://open.clemson.edu/joe/vol63/iss1/6
• Marshall-Wheeler, N., Meng, Y., & Worker, S. (2022). Exploring public speaking self-efficacy in the 4-H presentation program. The Journal of Extension, 60(4). https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.04.12
• Worker, S. M. (2014). Evaluating adolescent satisfaction of a 4-H leadership development conference. Journal of Extension, 52(2).

Volunteer educator development

• Worker, S. M., Espinoza, D. M., Kok, C. M., Go, C., & Miller, J. (2020). Volunteer outcomes and impacts: The contributions and consequences of volunteering in 4-H. Journal of Youth Development, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2020.847.
• Kok, C. M., Espinoza, D. M., Worker, S. M., Go, C., & Miller, J. C. (2020). Identification of priority skill areas for volunteer professional development. Journal of Youth Development, 15(4), 51-67. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2020.876
• Schmitt-McQuitty, L., Worker, S. M., & Smith, M. H. (2019). Lesson study model of 4-H professional development: Data-Driven improvements to educator practice. Journal of Youth Development, 14(1), 131-154. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2019.693
• Smith, M. H., Worker, S. M., Schmitt-McQuitty, L., Meehan, C. L., Lewis, K. M., Schoenfelder, E., Brian, K. (2017). Prevalent approaches to educator professional development in state 4-H programs. Journal of Extension, 55(4). https://www.joe.org/joe/2017august/rb2.php
• Worker, S. M. (2017). Volunteer educators bring their own ideas about effective teaching to a 
  4-H curriculum. California Agriculture, 71(4), 208-213. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2017a0021 

Curricula and educational materials

• Marshall-Wheeler, N., Miner, G., Worker, S., Kok, C. M., Espinosa, D., & Miller, J. (2023). The UC 4-H Volunteer Educators’ Guide: For volunteers facilitating 4-H educational experiences. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8724.pdf
• Worker, S. M., Miner, G. M., Horrillo, S. J. (2013/2023). iChampion: Leadership, science & me. Adult volunteer guide: 4-H leadership development project. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources [2013]; National 4-H Council [2023]. https://shop4-h.org/products/ithrive-ichampion-facilitators-kit
• Smith, M., Worker, S., Meehan, C., McCambridge, J., Maille, A., Malone, C., Mondl, A., Stevenson, A. (2023). Comparisons of professional development approaches for out-of-school time educators. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=8725
• Worker, S.; Kok, C. M.; Vega, L.; Moncloa, F.; Fábregas Janeiro, M.; Gunn, M. (2022). Welcoming culturally diverse youth into 4-H: A handbook for 4-H professionals. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8714.pdf
• Horrillo, S. J., Bird, M., Worker, S. (Eds.) (2019). Camp activities with a science twist: Enhancing your camp program with fun STEM experiences. Healthy Learning (American Camp Association). https://www.acacamps.org/book/camp-activities-science-twist
• Mahacek, R., Worker, S., Mahacek, A. (2011). 4-H Robotics: Engineering for today and tomorrow – Junk drawer robotics. National 4-H Council. https://shop4-h.org/products/junk-drawer-robotics-curriculum-1-give-robotics-a-hand
• Smith, M., Worker, S., et al. (2010). There's No New Water! National 4-H Council. https://shop4-h.org/products/water-conservation-curriculum-theres-no-new-water