With 4-H SET identified as one of the three mission mandates from National 4-H Headquarters, USDA, the National 4-H SET Leadership Team developed a conference to help liaisons increase their knowledge and skills for providing leadership in their state 4-H programs for designing and delivering high quality 4-H SET learning experiences to youth and adults; and helping liaisons develop a rough draft of a state 4-H SET plan of work that will include professional development for paid and volunteer staff, effective evaluation plans, the use of quality 4-H SET curricula, marketing and resource development strategies, and partnership development.

Participants were provided with the conference presentations and a series of materials to be used in sharing information about 4-H SET when they return to their respective communities. 4-H SET Liaisons have been asked to meet with and brief State Leaders and Foundation Directors upon their return where they will share their knowledge gained during the conference as well as discuss plans for moving 4-H SET forward in each state.

In an effort to reach 1 million new youth through 4-H SET by 2013, the 4-H SET liaisons and 4-H SET Leadership Team will work closely with 4-H staff, volunteers and members as well as local, state and national partners to reach these new youth. To assist in this goal, 4-H recently entered into a partnership with the National Association of Rocketry Plans (NAR). The NAR has committed to help start new 4-H clubs focused on aerospace and rocketry over the next five years through the leadership of a 1,000 of their members across the country. Discussions are underway to solidify other national partnerships to assist in achieving this goal.

Plans are also underway for a National 4-H SET Launch event which will be held in October 2007, and 4-H SET will be incorporated into the focus of the 2007 National 4-H Week promotional kit. Stay tuned to the July issue of Clover Corner News for more information on the 4 H SET Launch and 2007 National 4-H Week.

For more information on 4-H SET visit www.fourhcouncil.edu/set.aspx or visit www.national4-hheadquarters.gov to learn more about the 4-H/NAR partnership.

Devin Chong compares ingredients between two chocolate mixes as Bob Horton, Ph.D., Ohio 4-H Extension Specialist for Curriculum Design, discusses the impact of soy lethicin in mixtures.

Delaware 4-H Extension Agent Jordan Ashby tests the cohesive capabilities of water during a 4-H curriculum demonstration.

Nekia Moore of Alabama and Mario Magana of Oregon discuss current 4-H SET programs happening in their respective states.