Michigan 4-H interest survey: 2024 results and insights
Print
EmailNew data from the Michigan 4-H SPARK Survey to support 4-H staff in improving youth access to 4-H projects.
On February 1, 2024, a Michigan 4-H interest survey called the SPARK Survey was released to Michigan youth to better understand 4-H programming interest areas for local county programs. This second iteration of the Michigan 4-H SPARK Survey was launched to better understand the needs and 4-H interest areas for Michigan youth.
Between February 1 and December 13, 2024, a total of 1,153 youth took the survey. Highlights from the data collected include:
- Counties with highest responses: Oakland (84), Ingham (54), Kent (51), Kalamazoo (44), Ottawa (44), Wayne (43), Monroe (42)
- Ages with highest responses: five year-olds (148), six year-olds (93), nine year-olds (90), 10 year-olds (83), seven year-olds (82), 8 year-olds (80)
- Activities of interest with highest responses: working with animals (1,282), growing flowers, trees, gardening (796), plant and animal identification (748), fishing or hiking (687), learning new ways to cook (679), listening to or playing music (647)
Additional categories of interest to youth include: personal qualities such as problem solver, thoughtful, independent, creative and inclusive; subjects in school they enjoy or excel in such as art, music, health/ nutrition, science and woodworking; and personal values such as animal well-being, the environment, honesty and helping others. These categories were used to lead youth to their interests in 4-H project areas.
As youth become 4-H members or grow in their 4-H experience, the concept of “Spark” (in the Michigan 4-H Spark Survey) is designed to assist youth to meet the goals from the 4-H Thriving Model in our 4-H Youth Development Programs. However, the responsibility of spark discovery is not just on the youth. Caring adults are important in helping youth identify their sparks and seeing them thrive. Any adult working with youth should be a spark champion and model their own sparks for youth.
To better meet the needs of youth, parents, and volunteers across Michigan, a new 4-H Needs Assessment has been developed to guide and inform the work of Michigan 4-H staff. The assessment is now available and can be accessed using this link or QR code below.
Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help youth discover their SPARKS by providing educational experiences and resources for youth interested in developing knowledge and skills in a wide variety of projects. For more information about 4-H learning opportunities and other 4-H programs, contact your local MSU Extension office.
