OSU 4-H Faculty, Lisa Conroy, Named State 4-H Science, Engineering & Technology Liaison

Date: June 18, 2007

WASHINGTON— Lisa Conroy of Hillsboro and Washington County 4-H Faculty, was chosen to represent the OSU 4-H Youth Development Program as a state 4-H Science, Engineering & Technology (4-H SET) Liaison. In her new role, Conroy attended the 4-H SET Liaisons Conference from June 5-7 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where more than 120 4-H youth, volunteers and professionals from 40 states participated.

In an effort to reach 1 million new youth in 4-H SET programs by 2013, the newly appointed 4-H SET Liaisons participated in training workshops led by staff from CSREES National 4-H Headquarters at USDA, their private partner National 4 H Council and the National 4-H SET Leadership Team. The sessions provided the liaisons with the knowledge and skills they need to provide leadership to the 4-H SET work back in their states and develop a plan of action to help them create hands-on educational opportunities for our nation’s youth to explore 4-H SET projects and learn about careers in science, engineering and technology.

“This is a very exciting time for 4-H. The National 4-H SET mission mandate demonstrates the commitment of 4-H to repurpose our educational content and approach, and to increase the focus on science inquiry, engineering and higher order critical thinking skills. In Oregon this means involving 20,000 new K-12 youth in 4-H SET by 2013. This represents a significant opportunity for our community and business partners to invest in our nation’s future workforce,” said Conroy.

“I appreciated the enthusiastic response of the 4-H SET Liaisons to the rigorous task placed before them,” stated Dr. Beth Birnstihl, Associate Dean and 4-H Program Administrator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and National 4-H SET Leadership Team co- chair. “It is a huge undertaking to reach 1 million new 4-H members through 4-H SET in the next five years. Reaching this aggressive goal would not be possible without the joint collaboration of 4-H SET Liaisons in every state.”

Currently, 4-H SET projects—which range from aerospace engineering and environmental science to robotics and GPS technology—reach more than 5.9 million youth, before duplications are eliminated, in urban, suburban and rural communities across America. National partners for 4-H SET include the National Association of Rocketry, John Deere, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company and the Noyce Foundation.

4-H is a community of more than 6.5 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H is led by CSREES National 4-H Headquarters at USDA, the nation’s 106 land-grant universities and colleges and National 4-H Council. Learn more about 4-H and 4-H SET programs at www.fourhcouncil.edu.

Contact: For more information contact Lisa Conroy at 503-725-2113, or lisa.conroy@oregonstate.edu

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