Steven Worker

4-H Youth Development Advisor, San Francisco North Bay (Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties; since 2016)
Dr. Worker leads applied research and extension education that expands informal/non-formal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and computer science learning, grounded in youth development, in ways that honor culture and community. His portfolio includes developing a hands-on drone curricula (Ag from Above and Ag for All), launching ResilientRoots for middle-school climate justice, creating the iCode curriculum that unites computational thinking with positive ethnic-racial identity, guiding youth participatory action research, developing the sustainable polymer curriculum, and studying the long-term impact of California 4-H on its alumni. Read more about these projects here. 

Dr. Worker translates this scholarship into practice by providing academic leadership for 4-H clubs, summer camps, and after-school partnerships that involve 350 adult volunteers and reach more than 1,200 young people each year. He coordinates the North Bay Science Discovery Day, a public science festival that draws 10,000 visitors, and stewards collaborations such as the maker-focused Tinker Academy or the Imagine Science alliance with the Sonoma County Family YMCA and Napa Valley Boys and Girls Clubs. Through consultations, workshops, field demonstrations, and publications, he equips educators to deliver high-quality, inquiry-based learning and strengthens the region’s STEM ecosystem. His work consistently demonstrates new knowledge, increased educator competence, and more equitable youth participation, fulfilling the Cooperative Extension mission of improving community well-being through research, education, and service.

Series Editor, Current Issues in Out-of-School Time Book Series (since 2025)
Current Issues in Out-of-School Time is a book series that shares original research, practitioner insights, and policy analysis on themes relevant to out-of-school time learning, primarily in the United States context. Books are relevant for scholars, practitioners, funders, and policy makers, while centering youth agency and advancing theory, evidence, and practical wisdom in the field. Click here for the series. 

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

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. 

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. 

California 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 Science Literacy & Critical Thinking Program Team Chair (2019-2027)

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 (Event Chair: 2019-2026)
• Current Issues in Out-of-School Time Book Series Publication Board (2021-2026)
• Journal of Youth Development Associate Editor (2023-2027)
• Child Care Planning Council of Sonoma County (2021-2024)
• The Nature Lodge Board of Directors (2018-2026): To inspire, encourage and educate environmental stewards of today, for a more sustainable future.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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

• Neas, S., Worker, S. M., Kok, C. M., & Espinoza, D. (in press). YPAR as process: Supporting youth development through youth participatory action research. Afterschool Matters.
• 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., McCambridge, J., Stevenson, A., Fields, J., Maille, A., Meehan, C. L., Mondl, A., Malone, C., & Smith, M. H. (2022). Sustainable polymers: New 4-H STEM curricula. Journal of Extension, 60(1). https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.01.01
• 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. H., Worker, S. M., Ambrose, A. P., & Schmitt-McQuitty, L. (2015). Including civic engagement as a component of scientific literacy. Science Education and Civic Engagement: An International Journal, 7(2), 23-27.
• Smith, M., Worker, S. M., 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. M. (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., Mahacek, R. L., Wheeler, T. D. M., & Frerichs, S. W. (2015). Engineering for everyone: 4-H’s Junk Drawer Robotics curriculum. In C. I. Sneider (Ed.), Engineering Curricula PreK-5: Choosing and Using the Best Instructional Materials for Your Students (pp. 191-202). Corwin.
• 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. https://www.niost.org/Afterschool-Matters-Fall-2014/curriculum-and-professional-development-for-ost-science-education-lessons-learned-from-california-4-h
• Worker, S. M. (2014). Design-based learning in a community-based youth program: Affordances for youth learning and development. In Polman, J. L., Kyza, E. A., O'Neill, D. K., Tabak, I., Penuel, W. R., Jurow, A. S., O'Connor, K., Lee, T., and D'Amico, L. (Eds.), Learning and becoming in practice: The International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS) 2014, Volume 3. International Society of the Learning Sciences.
• Worker, S. (2014). Bers’s theory of positive technological development. Journal of Youth Development, 9(1). https://jyd.pitt.edu/ojs/jyd/article/view/80/66
• Worker, S. M. (2013). Embracing scientific and engineering practices in 4-H. Journal of Extension, 51(3). https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.51.03.04
• Worker, S., & Mahacek, R. (2013). 4-H out-of-school-time STEM education. Children’s Technology and Engineering, 18(2), 16–20.
• Smith, M., Heck, K., & Worker, S. M. (2012). 4-H boosts youth scientific literacy with ANR water education curriculum. California Agriculture, 66(4), 158-163. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.v066n04p158
• Worker, S. M. (2012). History of science education in the 4-H Youth Development Program [Monograph]. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. https://4-hhistorypreservation.com/eMedia/Reports/CA4H_135384.pdf
• Mahacek, R., & Worker, S. (2011). Extending science education with engineering and technology: Junk Drawer Robotics curriculum. In A. Subramaniam, K. Heck, R. Carlos, & S. Junge (Eds.), Advances in youth development: Research and evaluation from the University of California Cooperative Extension 2001–2010 (pp. 46–57). University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

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., Fábregas Janeiro, M. G., Díaz 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

• Worker, S. M., Nayak, R., Iaccopucci, A. M., & Marshall-Wheeler, N. (2025). Early adult outcomes of 4-H program alumni: A propensity-matched comparative study. Journal of Youth Development, 20(3). https://open.clemson.edu/jyd/vol20/iss3/3
• Marshall-Wheeler, N., Nayak, R., Iaccopucci, A. M., & Worker, S. M. (2023). Long-term outcomes of early adult 4-H alumni. Journal of Extension, 61(2). https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.61.02.02
• Lewis, K. M., Kok, C. M., Worker, S. M., & 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. (2020). Complexity in 4-H youth enrollment: A response to Davy et al. (2020). California Agriculture, 74(3), 127–128. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2020a0025
• 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/10.1177/0743558418764089
• Neelon, M., Brian, K., Iaccopucci, A. M., Lewis, K. M., & Worker, S. M. (2017). Development of a health survey instrument for 5- to 8-year-old youths. Journal of Extension, 55(1). https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.55.01.02
• Lewis, K. M., & Worker, S. M. (2016). Youth and adult perceptions of a new technology in California 4-H: The Online Record Book. Journal of Youth Development, 11(2). https://open.clemson.edu/jyd/vol11/iss2/6
• Lewis, K. M., Horrillo, S. J., Widaman, K. F., Worker, S. M., & Trzesniewski, K. (2015). National 4-H common measures: Initial evaluation from California 4-H. Journal of Extension, 53(2). https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.53.02.07
• Worker, S. M. (2014). Evaluating adolescent satisfaction of a 4-H leadership development conference. Journal of Extension, 52(2). https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.52.02.09 

Public speaking

• Nayak, R., Worker, S. M., & Marshall-Wheeler, N. (2025). Youth public speaking self-efficacy survey tool. Journal of Extension, 63(1). https://open.clemson.edu/joe/vol63/iss1/6
• Worker, S. M., Nayak, R., Meng, Y., & Marshall-Wheeler, N. (2023). UC 4-H programs bolster youths’ public speaking confidence. California Agriculture, 77(1), 30-35. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0003
• Marshall-Wheeler, N., Meng, Y., & Worker, S. M. (2022). Exploring public speaking self-efficacy in the 4-H presentation program. Journal of Extension, 60(4). https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.04.12

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
• Ching Young, J., Manton, L. M., Worker, S. M., & Martin, A. C. (2014). Effective, efficient online training in Cooperative Extension. Journal of Youth Development, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2014.51

Extension theory and methods

• Worker, S. M., Soule, K., Koundinya, V., Lyons, A., Oppliger, K., Obrist, D., & Smilowitz, J. (2025, April 9). University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources employees’ use and perception of generative artificial intelligence: Survey results from data collected October to December 2024 [Internal report]. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. https://ucdavis.box.com/s/p95elrvdlvsioyda35kkbwc8c3zzhhiq
• 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
• Smith, M., Worker, S. M., 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
• Worker, S. M., Hill, R. D., Miller, J. C., Go, C. G., & Boyes, R. J. (2015). Exploring the effectiveness of a retreat method for Extension staff. Journal of Extension, 53(6). https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.53.06.12 

Curricula - Environmental

• Bird, M., Dixon, T., Marshall-Wheeler, N., & Worker, S. M. (2022). 4-H Water Wizards: Guided inquiry water education for grades 4–6. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-science-connect/4-h-water-wizards
• NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers. (2022). Sustainable polymers: Confronting the plastic crisis: A 4-H STEM curriculum for grades 9–12. University of Minnesota. https://www.4hpolymers.org/
• Henderson, J., Mondl, A., Stevenson, A., & Worker, S. (Eds.). (2020). Sustainable polymers: Taking action to solve the challenge of plastics: A 4-H STEM curriculum for grades 6–8. Center for Sustainable Polymers. https://www.4hpolymers.org/
• Keaney, A., & Worker, S. (2020). Service learning. In Stevenson, A., McCambridge, J., & Mondl, A. (Eds.), Sustainable polymers: Plastics of the future for a green, clean world. A 4-H STEM curriculum for Grades 3-5. Center for Sustainable Polymers. https://www.4hpolymers.org/
• Horrillo, S. J., Bird, M., & Worker, S. M. (Eds.). (2019). Camp activities with a science twist: Enhancing your camp program with fun STEM experiences. Healthy Learning. https://www.acacamps.org/book/camp-activities-science-twist
• Worker, S. M., & Henderson, J. (2017). Be a 4-H scientist! Materials in a green, clean world: 4-H polymer science curriculum for grades K–2. NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers. https://4hpolymers.org
• Smith, M., Worker, S. M., et al. (2010). There’s No New Water! National 4-H Council. https://shop4-h.org/products/water-conservation-curriculum-theres-no-new-water

Curricula - Engineering and robotics

• Worker, S. M., Moncloa, F., Ullerich, C., & Soule, K. E. (eds.). (2025). iCode Curriculum: Identity exploration through computer science for middle school youth. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources and University of Maryland Extension. https://4hicode.org
• Worker, S. M., Hogan, S., Caeton, N., Rodriguez, M., Lyons, A., & Audoin, F. (2025). SkyMappers: Agricultural drones and GIS mastery. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. http://agfromabove.org/
• Mahacek, R., Worker, S. M., & Mahacek, A. (2011). 4-H robotics: Engineering for today and tomorrow – Junk drawer robotics. National 4-H Council. https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-science-connect/junk-drawer-robotics 

Curricula - Youth leadership

• Worker, S. M., & Miner, G. M. (2025). iGrow. Thriving in science. Facilitator guide [2nd ed.]. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development Program.
• Worker, S. M., Miner, G. M., & Horrillo, S. J. (2013/2023). iChampion/iThrive: Leadership, science & me. 4-H leadership development project. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources [2013]; National 4-H Council [2023]. https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-science-connect/ithrive-leadership-science-me