TRAINING 4-H YOUTH IN FOREST ECOLOGY IN ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA
Extension Education
Barton Wilder
Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent
UF/IFAS Extension
GAINESVILLE
Abstract
Many of today’s youth are spending the majority of their time indoors and are unaware of the importance of forests to our state. In 2012, the agent and an Alachua County 4-H volunteer recruited 4-H members for the state forest ecology contest. The program’s objectives were to help 4-H youth learn more about Florida’s forests and ecosystems and improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills. As a result of the practice sessions, the average score on the practice quizzes would increase by 15%. While learning plant and tree identification, the students were encouraged to compare and contrast specimens and draw conclusions. In the map and compass portion of the contest, the students had to solve problems involving distance and direction. From 2012-2014, the agent held a total of 39 practice sessions that included classroom activities and field trips. As a result of the practice sessions, the average score on the team members’ practice quizzes increased by 19%. In 2012, the junior team placed third out of seven teams. The entire Alachua County won the High Scoring New Team Award. In 2013, the junior team A won the state contest and junior team B placed second out of nine teams. Alachua County also had the state high individual in the junior division. In addition, the forest ecology team also won the inaugural forestry contest at the 2013 Greater Jacksonville Fair.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
A poster file has not been provided
Authors: B. Wilder
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Wilder, B. Agriculture And Natural Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County, Florida, 32609