Connecting youth with high-quality STEM learning through community partnerships
Imagine Science is a national collaboration among four major youth-serving organizations: National 4-H Council, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, YMCA of the USA, and Girls Inc. The partnership brings organizations together at the local level to expand access to engaging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning, particularly for young people who have historically had fewer opportunities to participate in STEM.
In California, UC ANR 4-H Youth Development participates in Imagine Science through local community collaborations and a statewide Regional Amplify initiative. UC 4-H works with other youth-serving organizations to expand access to STEM learning by sharing curricula, expertise, professional development, evaluation tools, and lessons learned while adapting programming to the interests and needs of youth in local communities.
Learning Science through Partnership
Imagine Science is designed around sustained, hands-on STEM learning. Participating communities provide at least 15 hours of STEM programming using learning experiences appropriate for youth development settings.
Youth have opportunities to:
- explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on activities;
- ask questions, investigate problems, design solutions, and learn through experimentation;
- develop interest and confidence in STEM;
- learn about STEM education and career pathways; and
- see themselves as people who can participate in and contribute to science and engineering.
The partnership also invests in the adults who facilitate these experiences. Local organizations collaborate to select and adapt high-quality curricula, prepare educators to facilitate inquiry-based STEM learning, test activities with youth, and use feedback and evaluation data to continuously improve programming. Through this approach, Imagine Science demonstrates how community organizations can work together to make science learning more accessible, relevant, and engaging.
Imagine Science Communities
 Since 2024 | Jacki Zediker |  Since 2014 | Rita Jakel |
 Since 2023 |  Since 2022 | Rebeca Manzo Dax London |
Regional Amplify California
Launched in 2025
Regional Amplify extends the Imagine Science partnership model beyond individual community collaborations. Coordinated by California 4-H, the initiative connects UC 4-H educators with youth-serving organizations in multiple regions of the state to increase access to sustained, high-quality STEM learning. Participating organizations receive support from UC 4-H educators to plan and deliver at least 15 hours of hands-on STEM programming. The regional model also supports curriculum selection and adaptation, professional development for youth educators, program evaluation, and continuous improvement.
Current Regional Amplify partners include:
- Boys & Girls Club of the Yurok Tribe | Grace Belt
- Boys & Girls Club of Big Valley Rancheria | Jean Goulart
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Contra Costa | Stepha Velednitsky
- Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula | Sally Neas
- Central Coast YMCA, San Benito County | Hedmon Okella
Statewide Imagine Science Liaison: Steven Worker, UC ANR 4-H Youth Development
