Department of Human Ecology

Interests: curriculum development, educator professional development, communities of practice, lesson study, nonformal science education, inquiry-based learning, experiential learning, bio-security education, environmental education

Recent Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications

In press. Smith, M. H., Worker, S. M., Ambrose, A. P. & Schmitt-McQuitty, L. “Anchor points” to define youth scientific literacy within the context of California 4-H. California Agriculture.

In press. Scherr, R.E., Linnell, J., Smith, M.H., Briggs, M., Bergman, J., Brian, K., Feenstra, G., Hillhouse, J.C., Keen, C.L., Nguyen, L.M., Nicholson, Y., Ontai, L., Spezzano, T., Steinberg, F.M, Sutter, C., Wright, J.E., Young, H.M., and Zidenberg-Cherr, S. Development and Implementation Methodologies of a Multi-Component, School-Based Nutrition Education Intervention, The Shaping Healthy Choices Program.  Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.

In press. Smith, M. H., & Meehan, C. L. Bio-Security Proficiencies Project for Beginning Producers in California 4-H. Journal of Extension.

In press. Worker, S. M. & Smith, M. H. Promising practices for science education in out-of-school time: Lessons learned from California 4-H curriculum and professional development. Afterschool Matters.

In press. Schmitt-McQuitty, L., Carlos, R. M. & Smith, M. H. Learnings and recommendations to advance 4-H science readiness. Journal of Extension.

Young, J. C., Alexander, J., & Smith, M. H. (2013). A partnership model for training episodic environmental stewardship 4-H volunteers. Journal of Extension, 51(2), 2IAW6.

Smith, M. H. (2013). Findings show lesson study can be an effective model for professional development of 4-H volunteers. California Agriculture, 67(1), 54-61.

Smith, M. H., & Schmitt-McQuitty, L. (2013). More effective professional development can help 4-H volunteers address need for youth scientific literacy. California Agriculture, 67(1), 47-53.

Smith, M. H., Worker, S. M., Heck, K. E. (2012). 4-H boosts youth scientific literacy with ANR water education curriculum. California Agriculture, 66(4), 158-163.

Smith, M. H., & Meehan, C. L. (2012). Assessment of bio-security risks associated with 4-H animal science exhibition practices in California. Journal of Extension, 50(3), 3FEA10.

Heck, K. E., Barnett, C. C., Carlos, R. M., & Smith, M. H. (2012). 4-H participation and science interest in youth. Journal of Extension, 50(2), 2FEA5.

Schmitt-McQuitty, L., Smith, M. H., & Young, J. C. (2011). Preparing volunteers to meet the developmental needs of youth audiences. Journal of Extension, 49(1), 1IAW1.

Porter, R., Guarienti, K., Brydon, B., Robb, J., Royston, A., Painter, H., Sutherland, A., Passmore, C., & Smith, M. H. (2010). Improving student lab report writing through teacher-led interventions. The Science Teacher, 77(1), 43-48.

Smith, M. H., Meehan, C. L., & Dasher, H. S. Engaging volunteers to inform curriculum development in 4-H. (2009). Journal of Extension, 47(1), 1IAW3.

Robins, L. I., Villagomez, G., Dockter, D., Christopher, E., Ortiz, C., Passmore, C., & Smith, M. H. (2009). Teacher research: Challenging our assumptions. An investigation into student understanding of the gas laws. The Science Teacher, 76(6).

Recent Peer-Reviewed Curriculum Publications

In press. Smith, M. H., Meehan, C. L., McNeill, H., Carlos, R. et al. 4-H Youth Curriculum: Understanding and Applying Veterinary Science in 4-H, National 4-H Council, Chevy Chase, MD.

2014. Smith, M. H., Meehan, C. L. et al. 4-H Youth Curriculum: Pre-Harvest Food Safety in 4-H Animal Science. University of California, Davis, CA: ANR Communication Services.

2014. Smith, M. H., Meehan, C. L. et al. 4-H Youth Curriculum: Sheep, From the Animal’s Point of View. University of California, Davis, CA: ANR Communication Services.

2014. Smith, M. H., Meehan, C. L. et al. 4-H Youth Curriculum: Swine, From the Animal’s Point of View. University of California, Davis, CA: ANR Communication Services.

2013. Smith, M. H., Meehan, C. L., Graham, S. National 4-H Beef Curriculum Series. National 4-H Council, Chevy Chase, MD.

2013. Smith, M. H., Meehan, C. L., Perez, M. et al. National 4-H Swine Curriculum Series. National 4-H Council. Chevy Chase, MD.

2011. Smith, M. H., Meehan, et al. 4-H Youth Curriculum: Bio-Security in 4-H Animal Science Curriculum Series. University of California, Davis, CA: ANR Communication Services.

2011. Smith, M. H., Meehan, et al. 4-H Youth Curriculum: Rabbits, From the Animal’s Point of View Curriculum Series. University of California, Davis, CA: ANR Communication Services.

2010. Smith, M. H., Worker, S. W., Kelly, M., et al. 4-H Youth Curriculum: There’s No New Water! Chevy Chase, MD: National 4-H Council.

2009. Smith, M. H., Meehan, C. L., Ma, J. M., Dasher, H. S., Camarillo, J. D., & Others. 4-H Youth Curriculum: Youth Development through Veterinary Science Curriculum Series. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Recent Grants (Funded)

2014. University of Minnesota, Center for Sustainable Polymers Project on Next Generation Bio-based Plastics. National Science Foundation. Sub-award to University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources from the University of Minnesota, Center for Sustainable Polymers. Role: Collaborator; oversight of youth curriculum review. $18,600 (sub-award amount). (Funded)

2014. Planning for Capacity-Building in 4-H Science Programming. S. J. Bechtel Jr. Foundation. Role: PI/Project Director. $58,000 (Funded)

2013. Mitigating Zoonotic and Animal Disease Risks in 4-H Animal Science Projects through Coordinated Education and Research Project. UC ANR Competitive Grants Program. Role: Project PI/Co-Director. $341,000. (Funded)

2012. Animal Welfare Proficiencies Project for 4-H Youth. UC ANR Competitive Grants Program. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $46,200.

2012. The Impacts of Implementation Frequency on Youth Science Literacy in 4-H Club Settings. National 4-H Council/Noyce Foundation. Role: Project Co-PI/Project Director. $41,000.

2012. Understanding and Applying Veterinary Science in 4-H Curriculum Development Project. National 4-H Council. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $34,000.

2011. Investigating the Impacts of Differing Levels of Frequency and Duration of Nonformal Science Programming on Youth Science Literacy. UC ANR Competitive Grants Program. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $42,100.

2011. Western Region 4-H Science Academy. National 4-H Council/Noyce Foundation. Co-PI. $45,000.

2011. Addressing Issues of Bio-Security in 4-H Animal Science. United States Department of Food and Agriculture Formula Funds. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $19,500.

2011. National 4-H Curriculum Development and Revision Project. National 4-H Council. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $100,000.

2011. Bio-Security Proficiency Project for Beginning Producers in California 4-H. Western Center for Risk Management Education, Washington State University. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $49,500.

2010. Addressing Issues of Disease Traceability in 4-H Animal Science: Foreign Animal Disease. California Department of Food and Agriculture. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $26,500.

2010. Advancing Animal Disease Traceability Plan for Fairs, Shows, and Exhibitions Project. California Department of Food and Agriculture. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $26,500.

2010. Addressing Issues of Bio-Security in 4-H Animal Science. United States Department of Food and Agriculture Formula Funds. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $20,000.

2009. Regional NAIS Education Outreach Summits on Bio-Security Risks and Traceability Issues in 4-H Animal Science. California Department of Food and Agriculture. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $27,000.

2009. There’s No New Water! Curriculum Development Project. National 4 –H. Role: Project PI/Project Director. $100,000.