Brad Barker

Youth Development, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Papers

Total Citations

118

H-Index

About

Brad Barker is an education researcher whose work sits at the intersection of STEM learning, youth development, and emerging technology integration. He is best known for his pioneering contributions to informal STEM education, particularly through the design and implementation of innovative programs that bring robotics, GPS/GIS, and computer programming to middle school students through 4-H clubs and afterschool settings. Barker's most influential work, "The Use of Digital Manipulatives in K-12: Robotics, GPS/GIS and Programming" (2009), has garnered 76 citations and showcases his signature interdisciplinary approach — bridging 4-H Youth Development, Biosystems Engineering, and Education to create hands-on, technology-rich learning experiences for young people. His 2008 study examining the effect of 4-H robotics and geospatial technologies on STEM learning and attitudes (37 citations) provided empirical grounding for these pedagogical innovations, demonstrating measurable impacts on students' science, technology, engineering, and mathematics engagement. A consistent thread throughout Barker's research is his commitment to reaching youth in non-traditional educational environments, making rigorous STEM experiences accessible to learners who might not encounter them in conventional classroom settings. His collaborative, application-driven scholarship has meaningfully shaped how informal educators approach digital literacy and STEM motivation.