In 2001/2002, the American Honda Foundation funded a research initiative directed at improving the abilities of adult volunteers as trainers and teen volunteers as leaders of a hands-on, inquiry-based science curriculum with 4H youth. This project built upon the "Step-Up" Incremental Training Model by adding a Training of Trainers component for 4H adult volunteers. This report outlines the results of that study, which indicate that, in order to build volunteer leader capacity and expand successful science program offerings within county-based programs, effective professional development opportunities are essential. Training enhances volunteers' effectiveness by improving their skills as educators and as trainers of others. Training workshops should occur in increments, include educational methodology that addresses a diverse array of styles and techniques, and be subdivided into "teachable" parts in order to allow volunteers to comprehend content and processes fully.

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Publisher: Journal of Extension
http://www.joe.org/index.html

Contributor: Cheryl L. Meehan
Veterinary Medicine Extension
University of California - Davis

Contributor: Jane Chin Young
University of California Cooperative Extension, Marin County