Youth Workforce Preparation Center

2006 Teen-Works Program Impacts

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Description: A no-cost after school, campus-based program for middle/high school students. Campus and community volunteers taught short courses in pre-engineering, electronics & sensors, robotics, physics, personal health, human anatomy, crime scene investigation, poetry and creative writing, Tae Kwan Do, leadership and service learning, exploring careers and more. 4-H Teen-Works is also conducted by WSU Thurston County Extension 4-H.

photo of students

Impacts:

  • 109 teen enrollments
  • 45% male
  • 55% female
  • 10% Black
  • 10% Asian
  • 5% Hawaiian
  • 64% White
  • 3% Native American
  • 2% Hispanic
  • 6% mixed
  • average age= 14 yrs
  • Fourteen adult volunteers led 18 educational "Tracks" totaling approximately 280 hours of instruction.

In October, 32 Teens ranked their "Tracks" on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being "excellent" as follows:
Introduction to Engineering 4.0 Human Anatomy 3.0
Optical Sensors 4.6 Service Learning 5.0
Creative Writing & Poetry 4.0 Beginning Robotics 4.9
Career Potential 4.5 Introductory Physics 4.3
Web Design 4.5 Advanced Robotics 5.0
Tae Kwan Do-self defense 4.0 Leadership 5.0
Crime Scene Investigation 4.0


In August, 18 Teens ranked their level of learning based on their participation in 4-H Teen-Works. Areas of greatest change were:
.ModerateSignificant% of total group
Awareness/TaskChangeChangenoting change
Understand career options I may want to explore. 41%18%59%
Understand college or training options I may want to explore. 41%18%59%
List my options before making a decision. 53%6%59%
Contribute as a member of a team. 53%----53%
Understand WSU Vancouver may be a place for me to attend college. 23%24%47%
Talk about college or training choices for my own future. 29%18%47%
Evaluate decisions I have made. 41%6%47%
State my opinion without offending others. 23%18%41%
Talk about career choices for my own future. 24%17%41%
Accept responsibility for doing a job or task. 24%12%36%


In August, 7 parents ranked the level of learning of their teens based on the teens participation in 4-H Teen-Works. Areas of greatest change as perceived by parents, were:

Moderate Significant % of total group
Awareness/TaskChangeChangenoting change
Talk about college or training choices for his/her own future.72%14%86%
Understand college or training options he/she may want to explore.86%----86%
Understand WSU Vancouver may be a place for him/her to attend college.28%44%72%
Understand career options he/she may want to explore.72%----72%
Talk about career choices for his/her future.72%----72%
Make a presentation - talk in front of a group.57%----57%
Get others to share in leadership.57%----57%
Accept responsibility for doing a job or task.57%----57%


We invite teens to be part of the new 4-H Teen-Works program. You will:

  • Participate in no-cost learning sessions on the beautiful WSU Vancouver campus
  • Explore areas of interest with other teens and adult instructors
  • Make plans for your future

Applications are being accepted now. Space is limited. To learn more about WSU Vancouver 4-H Teen-Works call us at 360-546-9160 or visit our website at http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/cywp/teenworks.html for application and enrollment form.