Michigan honors Apple with prestigious 4-H award

Apple's efforts with bringing technology to young people in education has been honored with a Michigan 4-H Citation Award.

Apple has been working in 4-H — "Head, Heart, Hands, and Health" — with its Community Education Initiative since 2019. More recently, Apple has established a Detroit Developer Academy, and worked with the University of Michigan on hearing studies that have led to the new functionality in the AirPods Pro 2.

Now Michigan State University (MSU) has announced that it is giving Apple its highest 4-H honor, the Michigan 4-H Citation Award. Two such awards are given annually to organizations and individuals whose support has "advanced the work of MSU Extension's 4-H Youth Development... to affect the lives of Michigan young people in positive, significant, and meaningful ways."

Since 2022, Apple has been a partner in a program called 4-H Clovers CODE (Creating Opportunity Designed for Everyone), which concerns gaining experience with technology. Apple reportedly provided MacBooks and iPads, as well as scholarships and professional development opportunities for staff and volunteers.

"This Citation Award celebrates Apple's commitment to improving the lives of Michigan 4-H'ers and improving technology access to underserved communities," continued MSU's announcement. "These advanced STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics] learning opportunities are offered in communities that are traditionally underserved, providing youth with life-changing experiences as they learn the skills and knowledge that are often needed for high-growth, high-paying jobs in technological and creative careers."

Apple created its Community Education Initiative in 2019. By 2022, it had already expanded to 600 global communities.