21st Century Learning Through Growing 4-H Science

By Sarah Morton, Project Director, and Kathleen Jamison, Principal Investigator, Growing 4-H Science

There is a need to address soaring dropout rates, truancy, and unhealthy habits that disproportionately affect youths in urban areas. With this in mind, Growing 4-H Science (G4HS) developed an innovative, sustainable, urban agriculture program to engage, educate, and empower marginalized youths in Richmond. GS4-H

The G4HS training team established a collaborative program that fosters strengths of young leaders and interested partners to help K-12 youths to learn, change, and take action in their communities. The program, based on 4-H Positive Youth Development, emphasized hands-on experiences in areas including textiles, animal science, woodworking, maker education, environmental science, food science, and digital media. Through these content areas, youths were inspired to link key concepts, prior knowledge,

and real-life experiences while keeping an eye toward career exploration.

Additionally, the G4HS education team provided professional development training to educators from both public and private schools as well as volunteers and community partners. This training integrated formal and nonformal teaching strategies and helped develop cross-discipline connections that are expected to lead to new ideas in areas such as out-of-school-time learning initiatives or career and technical education.

G4HS served as a state and national model for urban 4-H programming with an emphasis on urban agriculture. The model focused on building community capacity in order to ensure program replication and sustainability.

The initial program was implemented in 2012 at the Solar House at the Science Museum of Virginia. Core instruction reached 300 youth, each receiving 50 programming hours. The program was delivered in a nontraditional learning environment where hands-on, experiential learning took place in an outdoor environmental learning lab.

Over the last two years, the summer G4HS Integrative STEM Institute was launched, STEM programming during and outside of school hours in fall and spring was provided, and a weeklong agricultural commodities tour was established. 6400 youth benefitted across 20 hours of programming for each youth.

 

National 4-H Congress: Excite, Spark, Ignite

Twenty Virginia 4-H’ers were selected at State 4-H Congress to represent Virginia as delegates to the 2015 National 4-H Congress, held Nov. 27 through Dec. 1 in Atlanta. The theme for the event was “Excite, Spark, Ignite.

Attending National 4-H Congress is a life-changing experience for Virginia 4-Hers.

“National 4-H Congress, a 4-H leadership event that brings together over 900 youths from across 45 U.S. states and territories, is one of the highest recognition opportunities for senior 4-H’ers,” said Tonya Price, a 4-H Extension specialist with Virginia Tech. “These youths were selected because they have demonstrated exceptional skills in leadership, citizenship, and overall achievement.”

The selection process includes an application, a project portfolio, and an interview.

National 4-H Congress is often seen as the pinnacle of a long 4-H career. The five-day conference recognizes the delegates’ outstanding leadership and community work, and provides an opportunity for leaders within 4-H to meet and learn from each other. Highlights of the event included keynote speakers, tours of Atlanta, service work around the city, educational workshops, an international banquet, and a formal gala.

Even outside of the formal sessions and activities, the delegates benefit from experiences such as navigating public transportation, reading maps, and exploring the city’s landmarks and cultural attractions. Four adult chaperons accompanied the youth delegates from Virginia.

In a reflection activity following the event, youths wrote about the importance of embracing the characteristics that make them unique, building their self-confidence, and realizing they have special gifts to offer the world. One participant wrote, “The most important thing I gained from National 4-H Congress is to be confident in myself. Without a doubt, National 4-H Congress is a premier event for 4-H’ers.”

Partial funding was provided through the Evangeline Swain Endowment Fund, which has supported Virginia National 4-H Congress participants since 1993.

National 4-H Congress

Celebrating the Impact

Like many of you, I am confident that our contributions to Virginia 4-H are wise investments in Mary Millerthe future. We know that investing in leadership development pays big dividends. Regardless of the curriculum, our programs teach leadership and responsibility in a very effective manner. I know our programs have a lasting impact for the good of individuals, communities, and the world. I don’t require proof that our programs make a difference; I know they do.

So, imagine my delight when I recently received a number of handwritten notes from participants in the Teen Excellence in Leadership Institute, TELI. TELI, as many of you know, is a leadership program offered to senior teens as they prepare to participate in their communities as adults. Over a number of months, the program helps teens understand their strengths and the power of networking. Teens learn how to become effective leaders in their communities, by participating in hands-on projects that focus on issues and advocacy. I am proud to say that the program has just completed its second year, with outstanding results.

Several participants shared their appreciation through personal notes. One wrote, “We discovered our strengths, learning styles, conversation styles, and etiquette.” Another wrote, “I have learned many things about myself and how I can improve my leadership skills. I will use these skills for the rest of my life.” A third note summed up the sentiment expressed by many: “I intend to teach my peers and take on leadership roles for the betterment of my community.”

Bravo, TELI, bravo!

As chair of the Virginia 4-H Foundation, I thank you for joining with me in investing in our youth. While there is always more to do, sometimes it is appropriate to pause and celebrate that our contributions have a lasting impact. I hope TELI’s participants’ words speak to you as strongly as they spoke to me. Our success is a collective effort.

One participant closed his note by saying, “Thank you for investing in me.”

I’ll close mine by saying thank you for investing in 4-H. Your contributions make a difference each and every day.

All the best,

Mary Guy Miller

Chair, Virginia 4-H Foundation Board

mmiller@iddnet.com

 

Character Counts! and SOL Correlation

Are you interested in implementing Character Counts! into your school system but are having trouble getting school administrators to buy into the program? Check out this web link for the correlations to the SOLs: http://ext.vt.edu/topics/4h-youth/leadership/character-counts/index.html

Schools are very much focused and driven by SOL testing and are much more inclined to “buy in” to a program that is correlated to them. Therefore, the State Character Counts! leadership team has worked hard in reviewing the Character Counts! program and correlating it to the Virginia SOLs. On the website you will find the correlations for each pillar and grade level. It is our goal to have Virginia 4-H actively engaged in implementing the Character Counts! program in all schools. Research indicates that the Character Counts! program fosters a positive environment that helps improve overall attendance and test scores and has reduced negative behaviors such as bullying and disciplinary referrals. We hope that by having these correlations you will have an easier time getting your school system to buy into this program. Should you have any questions about these correlations or the Character Counts! program in general, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Tonya Price.

These correlations would not have been possible without the tireless work of the State Character Counts! Leadership Team! Special thanks goes out to: Karen Baker, Dara Booher, Sonya Furgurson, Brian Hairston, Jeremy Johnson, Jocelyn Pearson, and Glenda Snyder.

April is Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child and today is Purple-Up for Military Kids Day!  Virginia is home to more than 108,000 children with  a parent serving in the military.  These youth face many challenges that are unique to their situation, such as having a parent deployed, frequent moves, new schools, and leaving friends.  4-H works to provide a community for these young people to connect with other youth and caring adults.  In Virginia, there are 11 military installations with 14 youth sites, that conduct 4-H programming through the 4-H Military Partnership.  These youth represent the Army, Navy and Air force branches of the military.  In addition, 4-H clubs across the Commonwealth embrace military connected youth whose parents may be in the National Guard or Reserves.  The latest enrollment data shows that more than 1,600 4-H members in Virginia are military connected.  Take a moment to thank a military child  for the sacrifice that they make each day.  Thanks also to the many 4-H Agents and  Volunteers who take time to make a positive difference in the lives of these youth.  For more information on how Virginia 4-H Programs for military youth go to: http://www.ext.vt.edu/topics/4h-youth/military-partnership/index.html

purple up

I hope you will take advantage of the 25% off curriculum sale that is taking place till April 30 through the 4-H Mall and order some of the below healthy living curriculum. This curriculum is excellent, so if you haven’t checked it out, I hope you will do so.

Choose Health: Food, Fun & Fitness Teach healthy living and active play – perfect for 3rd – 6th graders! Each lesson includes nutrition activities, food prep, a goal setting challenge, and more.

 

Cooking Teach kids the fundamentals of food preparation while making cooking a fun and educational experience.

 

STEPS to a Healthy Teen

Help youth ages 14-19 understand and engage with physical activities, nutrition, and healthy body image. Very interactive!

 

Food Science The kitchen becomes a lab, and some experiments can be eaten! Youth will understand the scientific processes behind the healthy foods they love.

 

Food Smart Families Products

Aprons, cutting boards, chef hats, and measuring spoons give a 4-H feel to your nutrition and cooking activities.

 

Download VFHY’s Screen-Free Week Toolkit for Teachers and Parents

An issue facing younger generations, and especially teens, is the over-use of technology.  Younger generations, unlike their parents, often socialize, hang out, and communicate online, rather than in person.  They prefer to text rather than talk on the phone, and often prefer to socialize on Twitter, Snapchat, or Facebook than in a social setting.  Some of our youth are spending up to 20 hours a day, seven days a week, online, perusing the Internet or gaming.  Spending this much time in front of a screen can interfere with a young person’s emotional, physical, and intellectual development.  Due to this issue, I’m sharing the below information with you.  May 2-8, 2016 is Screen-Free Week and encourages youth to unplug and play.  The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth has put together a free toolkit inclusive of active, fun alternatives to screen time that we can use to help address the issue of over using technology.

– See more at: http://vfhy.org/obesity/healthy-people/less-screen-time

 

 

Spring Judging School

You are invited to the Virginia Spring Judging School to be held Saturday, May 14, 2016 in Caroline County, Virginia. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m.; the program concludes at 2:30 p.m. The purpose of the judging school is to train and certify judges for county fairs, the State Fair of Virginia, and other home goods and related competitions throughout Commonwealth.

To prepare individuals for evaluating indoor exhibits.
To help individuals gain a greater understanding of state and local fairs and the educational opportunities they present..
To increase the knowledge of state and local fair judges regarding different evaluation systems and procedures.
To create awareness in judges regarding a positive experience for the exhibitors.
To develop a pool of certified judges.

Classes include Houseplants, Vegetables/ Fruits, Baked Goods, Refinish/Refurbish/Repurpose, Quilts and more. Participants should have some knowledge of the subject area they plan to register for and are encouraged to bring samples to be discussed in the class. All participants must agree to be listed in a Fair Judging School Directory and be willing to judge at state and local fairs and other events.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical knowledge of fair judging. Go here Judging School Spring 2016 to find more details about the class schedule and how to register.
Enjoy the day!

Pegi

La Wanda (Pegi) Wright, M.Ed., CFCS-HDFS | Extension Agent| Unit Coordinator
Family and Consumer Sciences | Family and Human Development
Virginia Cooperative Extension | Virginia Tech | Virginia State University
10087 Kings Highway | King George, VA 22485 | 540-775-3062
109 County Street | P.O. Box 339 | Bowling Green, VA 22427 | 804-633-6550
lvwright@vt.edu|

4th H for Health Challenge

I wanted to share with you the recording of a presentation I created regarding the 4th H for Health Challenge.  I gave this presentation as part of the April First Friday discussion and at In-Service to the FCS agents during their update but wanted to share as broadly as possible.  This challenge is a great way to get your 4-H clubs involved in eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking more water, and being more physically active in the club meeting setting.  Once you have had a chance to view the recording, please email me if this is something you’d be interested in implementing in your locality.  This challenge is a great and fun way to engage youth in healthy living behaviors that will hopefully last a lifetime and I hope you will consider incorporating it into your programming efforts.

Tonya Price wants to share this WebEx recording with you.

Tonya Price’s Personal Room-20160210 1503-1 Wednesday, February 10, 2016 10:16 am | Eastern Standard Time (New York, GMT-05:00)

PLAY RECORDING ( 10 min) https://virginiatech.webex.com/virginiatech/ldr.php?RCID=06a0e50a4f6c37e9d28d795c26f200c5

 

New Team Nutrition Resources

Please check out the resources below.  Even though this is designed for the summer meals  program, these resources could be used with almost type of summer program or activity targeted at healthy living.  Feel free to use as you deem appropriate.

This new kit from Team Nutrition includes over 30 games and educational activities to do at your summer meal site!

o   Six fun activity themes, posters, family handouts, an activity placemat and more!

o    Available in English & Spanish.

o   Now available: http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/summer-food-summer-moves

http://www.fns.usda.gov/team-nutrition @TeamNutrition USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.