Port Townsend Aero Museum mentors youth!

Jesaint Baril, 4-H Network News reporter, interviews Matthew Elmore and Matthew Vogel at the Port Townsend Aero Museum. The museum mentors youth from across the Olympic Peninsula through their work on vintage airplane restoration projects. Claire Turner, 4-H Network News reporter on camera, and Mark and Rusty (filming from the BizKid$ Public Television series.) You can see the 4-H video of this interview below!

Matthew Elmore and Sophie Gilbert interview Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur!

Matthew Elmore, 4-H Network News reporter, talks with senior-most Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur during a June 18, 2008 4-H ceremony in Washington D.C. Matt was there covering the 4-H roll out of a Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) campaign to encourage more training across the United States in these areas. The theme of the campaign is:

One Million New Scientists.
One Million New Ideas.

As part of this effort, 4-H will be sponsoring an annual:

National Youth Science Day
October 8, 2008

Matt asked Congresswoman Kaptur about the importance of the United States staying competitive in the SET areas. Sophie Gilbert, 4-H Network News reporter, also had the chance to ask the Congresswoman about the important role of women in these areas.




Their video interview is shown below!




4-H interview with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio.

Matthew Elmore interviews Senator Saxby Chambliss

Matthew Elmore, 4-H Network News reporter, interviewed co-chair of the 4-H Caucus, United States Senator Saxby Chambliss, just before the 4-H event in Washington D.C. to launch the new 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) intiative:



One Million New Scientists.

One Million New Ideas.


Matt was covering this event for 4-H to highlight the importance of the initiative's goal to foster one million new kid scientists through 4-H program by 2013.
4-H interview with Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia.

Matthew Elmore interviews National 4-H Council President and CEO Don Floyd!

Matthew Elmore, 4-H Network News reporter, interviewed National 4-H Council President and CEO Don Floyd during a June 18, 2008 4-H sponsored event in Washington D.C. Matt was there to cover the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) initiative that 4-H launched to encourage more training across the United States in the sciences.

The theme of the campaign is:

One Million New Scientists.
One Million New Ideas.

As part of this effort, 4-H will be sponsoring an annual:

National Youth Science Day
October 8, 2008




Matt's video interview with Mr. Floyd is shown below!



Interview with National 4-H Council President Don Floyd.

4-H President Don Floyd with some of the younger 4-H participants!

It takes a team to support One Million New Scientists!

At the Science, Engineering and Technology rollout, Washington D.C., June 18, 2008: Back row: Kaylee Keith (Mississippi 4-H), April Johnson (Texas 4-H Youth), Ed Lewis (Toyota), Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, National 4-H Council President Don Floyd, Sophie Gilbert (4-H Network News), Matthew Elmore (4-H Network News); Front row: Jacqueline Ware and MacKenzie Ring (West Virginia 4-H).

Motivated by challenges across the United States to encourage and support the training of more new Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) experts, on June 18, 2008 the National 4-H Council announced its sponsorship of an annual initiative:


National Youth Science Day
October 8, 2008


In a roll out ceremony, 4-H also honored five states (California, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi and West Virginia) to receive grants for continuing development of their exemplary 4-H Science and Water Conservation Programs. Corporate supporters include the Noyce Foundation, John Deere Foundation, Grinnell Mutual, Motorola Foundation, Dupont Pioneer, 3M and Toyota.

4-H believes that it takes a team - including youth, parents, community members, elected officials, and corporations - to make the following compelling 4-H effort come true:

One Million New Scientists .
One Million New Ideas.

Above right, Matthew Elmore and Sophie Gilbert check out information related to balloon technology at the Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum, during their visit to the United States Capitol.

John Deere Foundation supports 4-H science initiative!

4-H Network News reporters, Matthew Elmore and Sophie Gilbert, stand with John Deere Foundation representatives, Cheryl Salley and John Deere. The John Deere Foundation has been an active supporter of 4-H youth programs, including science and leadership programs, as well as 4-H Afterschool.

They were attending the roll out of the exciting 4-H initiative:

One Million New Scientists.
One Million New Ideas.

Corporate sponsors are important partners in the National 4-H Council effort to increase training in the areas of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET). Thanks go to the John Deere Foundation and others, who understand the importance of the United States remaining internationally competitive in the sciences!

Pictured back row l. to r.: National 4-H President and CEO Don Floyd, Kaylee Keith (Mississippi 4-H), April Johnson (Texas 4-H), Cheryl Salley and John Deere (John Deere Foundation), Sophie Gilbert (4-H Network News), Matthew Elmore (4-H Network News). Front row l. to r.: Jacqueline Ware and MacKenzie Ring (West Virginia 4-H).

Matthew Elmore interviews Eddie Locklear from the S.E.T. Leadership Team!




Eddie Locklear
helps lead the 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) programs - below are some thoughts published in the overview papers for 4-H SET programs.

Eddie's interview with Matthew Elmore, 4-H Network News reporter, is coming soon!




Facing a Critical Challenge

The world is quickly changing. Although the United States is currently the world’s economic and military leader, we are at a critical juncture. We must adapt to meet the evolving economic and national security landscape of the 21st century. At the core of this challenge is our nation’s proficiency in science, engineering and technology.

Too many young Americans do not have the science, engineering and technology career skills necessary to succeed—and meet our country’s needs—in the future:

  • Only 18 percent of high school seniors are considered proficient in science (NAEP 2000)
  • A mere 5 percent of college undergraduates earn degrees in science and engineering (Rising Above the Gathering Storm 2006)
In the next decade, our nation will face a significant workforce shortage in the critical science, engineering and technology fields that will put our leadership at risk—unless action is taken.

Working Towards a Solution
With 4-H and the Cooperative Extension System’s direct connection to the cutting-edge research and resources of the nation’s 106 land grant universities and colleges, we are strategically positioned to strengthen the United States’ global competitiveness and leadership in science, engineering and technology. The combination of content and context inherent in 4-H club and camp programs is proven to have a positive effect on youth, resulting in young adults who are prepared to contribute, excel, and lead in their communities and work places.

The 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) program is the national priority of the 4-H Youth Development Program for the next five years. Currently, 4-H SET activities reach 5.9 million youth with hands-on learning experiences that foster exploration, discovery and passion for the sciences.

• Animal Sciences 2,337,000
• Environmental Science 1,283,000
• Engineering, Technology & Other Sciences 912,000
• Plant Science 741,000
• Agriculture Science 627,000

4-H will address our nation’s critical challenge by preparing 1 million new young people to excel in science, engineering and technology. As a public-private partnership, 4-H can focus resources and expertise through SET to improve science literacy; increase the number of American students seeking undergraduate degrees in science, technology and engineering; and increase the number of young adults pursuing careers in these fields.

Matt Elmore visits the Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum

Matthew Elmore, 4-H Network News reporter, visited the Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum while reporting on a 4-H sponsored Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) event in Washington D.C.

Matt has been in the 4-H Network News club for one year, exploring web design, online communication systems, comedy improvisation and video production. Matt also is involved in a weekly internship , restoring antique airplanes at the Port Townsend Aero Museum in Washington State. Matt will be interviewing Congressional members of the 4-H Caucus as part of this report.

It was fun for Matt to get close to this helicopter at the D.C. museum and to be reminded of how cool the technology is that allows these machines to fly!

Sophie Gilbert and Matt Elmore culinary report

Matt Elmore shares his impressions of the Chinese Beef and Broccoli dinner he enjoyed while waiting for his flight out of SeaTac. The restaurant was the Manchu Wok.

Matt was flying out to report on a 4-H sponsored Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) event in Washington D.C. In fact, this was Matt's first time flying on a commercial airplane. Congratulations, Matt!

Matt liked the dish, he thought it was tasty and flavorful - he might have liked a little more salt in the taste (but we all know what a salt freak Matt is!).

Sophie Gilbert enjoyed a meal of Orange Chicken, BBQ Pork, Broccoli and Rice. Sophie felt the dish was slightly bland - it could have used a bit more in the way of spices.

Their video report will be published soon!

Sophie Gilbert and Matt Elmore cover the beat in D.C.!

Sophie Gilbert, 4-H Network News reporter, is shown in the forest near Lake Leland, WA. Sophie will be bringing her photography and reporting skills to the 4-H sponsored Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) event on June 18, 2008 in Washington D.C.

Sophie has been involved in technology programs through Jefferson County 4-H for 4 years and has explored projects involving photography, web design, online communication, video production and robotics. She has extensive reporting experience in 4-H Network News and will be interviewing corporate CEOs and Congress members during this event.

Matthew Elmore, 4-H Network News reporter, is shown in the Olympic Peninsula forest near Port Townsend, WA. Matt is a member of the 4-H Network News club where he works on projects related to video production, web design and communications.

Matt will be covering the upcoming Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) event in Washington D.C. and will be interviewing various members of Congress who are members of the 4-H Caucus. Matt has immersed himself in SET activities, including the restoration of antique airplanes through his work at the Port Townsend Aero Museum.

Good luck kids and ask lots of questions!

Matt Elmore shows off his "electric" personality.

Sophie Gilbert shows off her colorful personality!