By Laramie Coffey
The Oklahoma 4-H Foundation received a $25,000 grant from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma to support the 2024 Oklahoma 4-H Innovate Summit.
“This money from the Masonic Charity Foundation helps us keep the cost low for attendees and also supports meeting spaces and workshop supplies,” said Kelly Wardlaw, STEM specialist for Oklahoma 4-H.
The annual two-day event teaches science, technology, engineering and math to 4-H youth in grades 8-12. Participants partner with adult mentors in learning how to present workshops and provide in-depth training on STEM activities.
A total of 34 teens and 16 mentors attended this year’s Oklahoma 4-H Innovate Summit, held March 1-2 in Guthrie. Participants took home a micro-bit controller and $150 worth of supplies for workshop instruction.
After completing the summit training, participants are considered certified Oklahoma 4-H innovators and must meet a minimum of 200 contact hours in their home communities. A contact hour is the number of participants taught times the length of the workshop.
“Last year, we had 14 innovators, and those 14 went back to their communities and reached more than 4,000 individuals in their communities,” Wardlaw said. “They went above and beyond those 200 hours, and we don’t expect anything less from this group.”
The Masonic Charity Foundation is a long-time supporter of Oklahoma 4-H programs. To date, the organization has contributed $1,075,000 for 4-H youth educational opportunities.
“The Masonic Charity Foundation represents Masons all across the state of Oklahoma, so we love to support organizations that have a statewide impact, like 4-H,” said the foundation’s executive director, John Logan. “By supporting the summit, we achieve state-wide impact and bring a unique program to our communities.”
The Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development program provides experiential and hands-on learning opportunities to help youth learn valuable life skills they need to become leaders within their clubs, communities, state and world. Most programming is available at little to no cost. 4-H membership is open to youth in each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties where OSU Extension educators are equipped with research-based information to help all residents solve local issues, promote leadership and manage resources.
