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Scenes from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Cooperative Extension at URI


4-H Pathways to Success in Science and Technology (PSST)

PSST engages resources of URI College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) faculty, staff, and students in a coordinated, long-term outreach effort to broaden participation of underrepresented groups in Rhode Island’s Science, and Technology in the academic pipeline and future workforce. PSST connects intellectual capital of CELS, Cooperative Extension Children, 4-H and Families (CFF) Program with middle school at risk students in an exciting after-school science enrichment program developing and solidifying student skills in science and technology, foster academic confidence and persistence, and encourage life and career planning higher education and science career preparation.

CELS, CFF Program; Undergraduate Programs; Coastal Fellows Program; The College Crusade of Rhode Island (TCCRI) and Volunteers in Providence Schools Program (VIPS) partnership, targets sixth grade Providence Public School students.

PSST complements the 4-H Club System and CFF education network, aligning with other state and local initiatives focused on improving the quality of science, technology and math education in the state to attract greater numbers of female and underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities to these disciplines.

PSST addresses a secondary goal of parental involvement as an effective catalyst, enabling parents to take primary responsibility for meeting their children’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs, and promote positive, productive, and contributing lives for all. Faculty and staff from the department of Human Development and Family studies work with parents and staff from each of the community partners.

CELS students, TCCRI advisors and VIPS will staff the after-school enrichment programs after receiving training in inquiry-based teaching techniques, cross-cultural sensitivity, and adolescent social and intellectual development patterns, creating a strong partnership that will institutionalize an important College and CFF Outreach relationship.