4-H Tech Changemakers

Are you a 6th-12th grade student interested in doing community service and learning about technology literacy? Would you like to take on leadership roles in your community by teaching to adults digital skills? Then become a 4-H Tech Changemaker!

The 4-H Tech Changemakers program empowers young people to close the digital divide and provides #Opportunity4All people in their communities by providing the education and tools they need to teach "teens as teachers" digital skills to adults in their communities. Over 24 million people in the U.S. lack high-speed internet access, and many more don't have the skills needed to take full advantage of online resources.  The combination of inadequate internet access and limited digital skills has created a digital divide, impacting future opportunities for young people and adults. Inequitable access to reliable Internet connectivity and a lack of digital skills are contributing to a growing opportunity gap in areas like education, employment, healthcare, social fulfillment and entrepreneurship, with rural communities and communities of color being most affected.

National 4-H Console addresses the digital gap with the tech change makers program, empowering teens to lead digital skills training for adults in their community. The Tech Changemakers program enables teens and adults to take control of digital literacy and economic prosperity in their communities by executing the following 6-steps: 

1. Form your 4-H Tech Changemakers Team

2. Foundational Knowledge and Teamwork

3. Research the Digital needs in your Community

4. Attend 7-scheduled training workshops to prepare to lead workshops in your county

5. Host workshop sessions virtually, in-person or hybrid. Goal each team reaches 150 adults

6. Reflect and share your successes (Student Showcase and closing ceremony)

4-H Tech Changemakers uses the "teens as teachers" model for experiential learning by putting teens at the forefront of increasing digital inclusion in their communities through collaboration with corporate partners, local elected officials, nonprofits, educators and businesses. These teen leaders – tech-savvy and community-oriented young people are 4-H Tech Changemakers – explore the impact of the digital divide in their communities, learn high value digital skills, and provide adults in underserved populations with the tools to find additional opportunities for employment through expanded access to digital skills training. 4-H Tech Changemakers program positively impacts communities – both by helping adults find greater opportunities for employment, as well as by empowering teens with employability and leadership skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.
 

August 1, 2021 - May 20, 2022

• Teens must be in grades: 6th to 12th grade and be or become 4-H members
• Adults must be or become certified 4-H volunteers
• Registration is free
• Register at ZingBooks.  Registration Closes on TBD.
• To learn how to use ZingBooks visit ZingBooks Resources. 
• Teachers, Educators and 4-H Volunteers receive Professional Development Hours for your participation
• Participants receive certificates of completion for the training workshops and hosting community workshops
• Only 10-12 teams will be selected, one team per county and FRTEP program
• Each team receives an operating budget of $1,000 for stipends, shirts, transportation etc.
• Teen Leaders & certified 4-H volunteers required to attend Round 1 workshop training sessions: 6-7:30pm. Round 2 workshop training sessions: 6-7:30pm will be held ONLY if we have not reached our goal of 1,500 adults statewide
  • Round 1:
    • Sept. 9 & 23
    • Oct. 7 & 21
    • Nov. 4, 11, 18
  • Round 2:
    • Dec. 2 & 16
    • Jan. 13 & 27
    • Feb. 10, 17, 24
• Teen Leaders & certified 4-H volunteers host community workshops to reach 150 adults with 1,500 adults statewide
• Participants will share a team video, present their successes and will be recognized at the Closing Ceremony March 17, 2022.

Another Opportunity is for you to become a National 4-H Tech Changemakers Spokesperson 

• Limited spots available apply by October 15, 2021
• Summit application at Spokesperson Application
• $1,000 stipends awarded to selected teens