Looking for exciting activities to enhance your current curriculum? 4-H School Enrichment & Out-of-School programs, as delivered through the Nebraska Extension, offer experiential learning programs aligned with the Nebraska State Board of Education Content Area Standards in the areas of English language arts, mathematics, and science. Programs are also offered in social studies and career education.
All programs are designed to enrich your classroom curriculum, and they are available to teachers in Washington County. See below for a list of current offerings with their recommended grade levels and fees. All materials needed for the program are included in the fee.
NOTE: Teachers or staff members must remain in the classroom with students during all programming.
To register for the classes:
- Please review the school enrichment programs and descriptions below.
- To view descriptions, click on the focus area below to expand programs and descriptions in that area.
- After reviewing offerings, please fill out the Washington County School Enrichment Form here.
*denotes a large group or field-day-style program
EMBRYOLOGY | $10.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought eggs and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as if they were the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily. FIRST TIME PHYSICS | PRICE | 2, 45-Minute Lessons Students can explore activities that investigate sound and light energy. The class will learn how sound can travel and how light rays slow down and can be bent. HANDWASHING | FREE | 1, 45 Minute Lesson Extension staff will use blue light and a special lotion to show students all the germs on their hands. Students will then learn the proper way to wash their hands and check to make sure they clean all the germs. MOBILE SCIENCE LAB | PRICE | Varied The Mobile Science Lab brings science to youth through interactive activities showing them that science is all around them. 4-H STEM CHALLENGE | PRICE | Varied Each year 4-H STEM Challenge helps students to learn fundamental STEM skills while they wrestle with the same questions as today’s top scientists and engineers. Educators will provide a kit that walks through activities related to physics, light, engineering, coding, and more. STEM DAYS | PRICE | Field Day Students learn about the engineering process through a variety of hands-on activities. Kindergarten
FARM IN A GLOVE | $5.00 | 2, 45-Minute LessonFirst Grade
FIRST TIME PHYSICS | Price | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Students can explore activities that investigate sound and light energy. The class will learn how sound can travel and how light rays slow down and can be bent.
HANDWASHING | FREE | 1, 45-Minute Lesson
Extension staff will use blue light and a special lotion to show students all the germs on their hands. Students will then learn the proper way to wash their hands and check to make sure they clean all the germs
KITCHEN SCIENCE | $15.00 | 1, 90-Minute Lesson
Students get comfortable in the kitchen by exploring the world of chemistry using simple ingredients, food, utensils, and containers.
EMBRYOLOGY | $10.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought eggs and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as if they were the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily.
MOBILE SCIENCE LAB | Price | Varied
The Mobile Science Lab brings science to youth through interactive activities showing them that science is all around them.
4-H STEM CHALLENGE | Price | Varied
Each year 4-H STEM Challenge helps students to learn fundamental STEM skills while they wrestle with the same questions as today’s top scientists and engineers. Educators will provide a kit that walks through activities related to physics, light, engineering, coding, and more.
STEM DAYS | Price | Field Day
Students learn about the engineering process through a variety of hands-on activities.
TEC BOX | Price | 4, 45-Minute Lessons
Tinker. Explore. Create. Box was developed to introduce youth to the idea of entrepreneurship, encourage active listening that leads to empathy, creative problem solving, and focus on non-technical aspects of entrepreneurship.
EMBRYOLOGY | $10.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought eggs and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as if they were the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily. FARM IN A GLOVE | $5.00 | 2, 45-Minute LessonSecond Grade
Dissection: Owl Pellets | Price | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Explore the world of animal predator/prey relationships by dissecting owl vomit (owl pellets). Students will learn about the life cycle of animals in the food chain as well as how food gets broken down during digestion in owls and in humans.
FIRST TIME PHYSICS | Price | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Students can explore activities that investigate sound and light energy. The class will learn how sound can travel and how light rays slow down and can be bent.
HANDWASHING | FREE | 1, 45-Minute Lesson
Extension staff will use blue light and a special lotion to show students all the germs on their hands. Students will then learn the proper way to wash their hands and check to make sure they clean all the germs
KITCHEN SCIENCE | $15.00 | 1, 90-Minute Lesson
Students get comfortable in the kitchen by exploring the world of chemistry using simple ingredients, food, utensils, and containers.
MOBILE SCIENCE LAB | Price | Varied
The Mobile Science Lab brings science to youth through interactive activities showing them that science is all around them.
4-H STEM CHALLENGE | Price | Varied
Each year 4-H STEM Challenge helps students to learn fundamental STEM skills while they wrestle with the same questions as today’s top scientists and engineers. Educators will provide a kit that walks through activities related to physics, light, engineering, coding, and more.
STEM DAYS | Price | Field Day
Students learn about the engineering process through a variety of hands-on activities.
TEC BOX | Price | 4, 45-Minute Lessons
Tinker. Explore. Create. Box was developed to introduce youth to the idea of entrepreneurship, encourage active listening that leads to empathy, creative problem solving, and focus on non-technical aspects of entrepreneurship.
Third Grade
AG IN THE CLASSROOM KIT | $15.00 | Asynchronous
Extension staff with providing you and your students with portable kits that help students to better understand Nebraska’s largest industry – agriculture. Kits include activities in the areas of crop production and livestock production. The kit allows teachers can teach at their own pace. .
AG LITERACTY FESTIVAL | FREE | FIELD TRIP
Agriculture is Nebraska's #1 industry, which means we’re all affected by it either directly or indirectly. Through this event, students will learn more about a variety of areas of agriculture including ag technology, beef, dairy, hogs, crops, ag by-products, and ag career.
FARM IN A GLOVE | $5.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Students will learn about agriculture in Nebraska, parts of a plant, and grow common crops in a glove.BRIDGES AND STRUCTURES | $15.00 | 3, 45-Minute Lessons
Students work as a team to explore the world of engineering as they build structures to meet specific needs out of household items.Dissection: Owl Pellets | Price | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Explore the world of animal predator/prey relationships by dissecting owl vomit (owl pellets). Students will learn about the life cycle of animals in the food chain as well as how food gets broken down during digestion in owls and in humans.
EMBRYOLOGY | $10.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought eggs and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as if they were the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily.
FIRST TIME PHYSICS | Price | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Students can explore activities that investigate sound and light energy. The class will learn how sound can travel and how light rays slow down and can be bent.
KITCHEN SCIENCE | $15.00 | 1, 90-Minute Lesson
Students get comfortable in the kitchen by exploring the world of chemistry using simple ingredients, food, utensils, and containers.
MOBILE SCIENCE LAB | Price | Varied
The Mobile Science Lab brings science to youth through interactive activities showing them that science is all around them.
4-H STEM CHALLENGE | Price | Varied
Each year 4-H STEM Challenge helps students to learn fundamental STEM skills while they wrestle with the same questions as today’s top scientists and engineers. Educators will provide a kit that walks through activities related to physics, light, engineering, coding, and more.
STEM DAYS | Price | Field Day
Students learn about the engineering process through a variety of hands-on activities.
ENGAGED U: MINDFUL MOVEMENT | Price | 4, 45-Minute Lessons
Students will learn strategies that will support them to be more self-aware and enhance their social-emotional learning through movement, mindfulness practices, and team-building activities.
TEC BOX | Price | 4, 45-Minute Lessons
Tinker. Explore. Create. Box was developed to introduce youth to the idea of entrepreneurship, encourage active listening that leads to empathy, creative problem solving, and focus on non-technical aspects of entrepreneurship.
Fourth Grade
AG IN THE CLASSROOM KIT | $15.00 | Asynchronous
Extension staff with providing you and your students with portable kits that help students to better understand Nebraska’s largest industry – agriculture. Kits include activities in the areas of crop production and livestock production. The kit allows teachers can teach at their own pace. .
AG LITERACTY FESTIVAL | FREE | FIELD TRIP
Agriculture is Nebraska's #1 industry, which means we’re all affected by it either directly or indirectly. Through this event, students will learn more about a variety of areas of agriculture including ag technology, beef, dairy, hogs, crops, ag by-products, and ag career.
FARM IN A GLOVE | $5.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Students will learn about agriculture in Nebraska, parts of a plant, and grow common crops in a glove.BRIDGES AND STRUCTURES | $15.00 | 3, 45-Minute Lessons
Students work as a team to explore the world of engineering as they build structures to meet specific needs out of household items.Dissection: Owl Pellets | Price | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Explore the world of animal predator/prey relationships by dissecting owl vomit (owl pellets). Students will learn about the life cycle of animals in the food chain as well as how food gets broken down during digestion in owls and in humans.
EMBRYOLOGY | $10.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought eggs and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as if they were the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily.
FIRST TIME PHYSICS | Price | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Students can explore activities that investigate sound and light energy. The class will learn how sound can travel and how light rays slow down and can be bent.
KITCHEN SCIENCE | $15.00 | 1, 90-Minute Lesson
Students get comfortable in the kitchen by exploring the world of chemistry using simple ingredients, food, utensils, and containers.
MOBILE SCIENCE LAB | Price | Varied
The Mobile Science Lab brings science to youth through interactive activities showing them that science is all around them.
4-H STEM CHALLENGE | Price | Varied
Each year 4-H STEM Challenge helps students to learn fundamental STEM skills while they wrestle with the same questions as today’s top scientists and engineers. Educators will provide a kit that walks through activities related to physics, light, engineering, coding, and more.
STEM DAYS | Price | Field Day
Students learn about the engineering process through a variety of hands-on activities.
ENGAGED U: MINDFUL MOVEMENT | Price | 4, 45-Minute Lessons
Students will learn strategies that will support them to be more self-aware and enhance their social-emotional learning through movement, mindfulness practices, and team-building activities.
TEC BOX | Price | 4, 45-Minute Lessons
Tinker. Explore. Create. Box was developed to introduce youth to the idea of entrepreneurship, encourage active listening that leads to empathy, creative problem solving, and focus on non-technical aspects of entrepreneurship.
Fifth Grade
AG IN THE CLASSROOM KIT | $15.00 | Asynchronous
Extension staff with providing you and your students with portable kits that help students to better understand Nebraska’s largest industry – agriculture. Kits include activities in the areas of crop production and livestock production. The kit allows teachers can teach at their own pace. .
FARM IN A GLOVE | $5.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Students will learn about agriculture in Nebraska, parts of a plant, and grow common crops in a glove.BRIDGES AND STRUCTURES | $15.00 | 3, 45-Minute Lessons
Students work as a team to explore the world of engineering as they build structures to meet specific needs out of household items.CSI: DNA | $15.00 | 1, 90-Minute Lesson
Students will construct DNA and discover how DNA sequencing aids investigators in solving crimes. Students will get to extract their own DNA and see it with their own two eyes.
DISSECTION: OWL PELLETS | Price | 2, 45-Minute Lesson
Explore the world of animal predator/prey relationships by dissecting owl vomit (owl pellets). Students will learn about the life cycle of animals in the food chain as well as how food gets broken down during digestion in owls and in humans.
EMBRYOLOGY | $10.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought eggs and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as if they were the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily.
KITCHEN SCIENCE | $15.00 | 1, 90-Minute Lesson
Students get comfortable in the kitchen by exploring the world of chemistry using simple ingredients, food, utensils, and containers.
MICROBIOLOGY | $15.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
Gain a crash course in microbiology and learn about different types of salmonella and E. Coli that are present in the environment and on food. Students will also learn about good bacteria and yeasts that make up our food.
MOBILE SCIENCE LAB | Price | Varied
The Mobile Science Lab brings science to youth through interactive activities showing them that science is all around them.
4-H STEM CHALLENGE | Price | Varied
Each year 4-H STEM Challenge helps students to learn fundamental STEM skills while they wrestle with the same questions as today’s top scientists and engineers. Educators will provide a kit that walks through activities related to physics, light, engineering, coding, and more.
STEM DAYS | Price | Field Day
Students learn about the engineering process through a variety of hands-on activities.
ENGAGED U: MINDFUL MOVEMENT | Price | 4, 45-Minute Lessons
Students will learn strategies that will support them to be more self-aware and enhance their social-emotional learning through movement, mindfulness practices, and team-building activities.
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT | $15.00 | 4-6, 45-Minute Lessons
Students will see the world from a new perspective and learn to be more effective leaders, as well as team members. Leadership Discovery and Personality Trait Assessment sessions followed by engaging leadership development activities will help students learn interpersonal skills.
SMART CENTS | $15.00 | 4-6, 45-Minute Lessons
Smart Cents helps youth develop financial skills and habits that will set them up for long-term success. Students become real-world consumers as they gain insight into how they perceive money while making personal financial plans and decisions.
TEC BOX | Price | 4, 45-Minute Lessons
Tinker. Explore. Create. Box was developed to introduce youth to the idea of entrepreneurship, encourage active listening that leads to empathy, creative problem solving, and focus on non-technical aspects of entrepreneurship.
Sixth Grade
AG IN THE CLASSROOM KIT | $15.00 | Asynchronous
Extension staff with providing you and your students with portable kits that help students to better understand Nebraska’s largest industry – agriculture. Kits include activities in the areas of crop production and livestock production. The kit allows teachers can teach at their own pace. .
HUSKER BEEF LAB |VARIOUS | VARIED
The Husker Beef Lab provides hands-on experiences for students in middle school and high school. The mobile lab teaches students science principles through a ruminant animal (4 stomachs) by reaching inside the beef stomach. Students will learn about animal well-being, nutritional aspects of beef, and more about pasture to plate in Nebraska.BRIDGES AND STRUCTURES | $15.00 | 3, 45-Minute Lessons
Students work as a team to explore the world of engineering as they build structures to meet specific needs out of household items.CSI: DNA | $15.00 | 1, 90-Minute Lesson
Students will construct DNA and discover how DNA sequencing aids investigators in solving crimes. Students will get to extract their own DNA and see it with their own two eyes.
EMBRYOLOGY | $10.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought eggs and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as if they were the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily.
KITCHEN SCIENCE | $15.00 | 1, 90-Minute Lesson
Students get comfortable in the kitchen by exploring the world of chemistry using simple ingredients, food, utensils, and containers.
MICROBIOLOGY | $15.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
Gain a crash course in microbiology and learn about different types of salmonella and E. Coli that are present in the environment and on food. Students will also learn about good bacteria and yeasts that make up our food.
MOBILE SCIENCE LAB | Price | Varied
The Mobile Science Lab brings science to youth through interactive activities showing them that science is all around them.
4-H STEM CHALLENGE | Price | Varied
Each year 4-H STEM Challenge helps students to learn fundamental STEM skills while they wrestle with the same questions as today’s top scientists and engineers. Educators will provide a kit that walks through activities related to physics, light, engineering, coding, and more.
ENGAGED U: MINDFUL MOVEMENT | Price | 4, 45-Minute Lessons
Students will learn strategies that will support them to be more self-aware and enhance their social-emotional learning through movement, mindfulness practices, and team-building activities.
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT | $15.00 | 4-6, 45-Minute Lessons
Students will see the world from a new perspective and learn to be more effective leaders, as well as team members. Leadership Discovery and Personality Trait Assessment sessions followed by engaging leadership development activities will help students learn interpersonal skills.
INVENTURE DAY | PRICE | FIELD DAY
Youth engage in conversations to develop and evaluate their unique business concepts around a given widget which is used as inspiration for a product or service. Teams more through the INVENTURE factory to complete challenges while learning about product development, target markets, branding, and finance. At the end of the day, teams present their business ideas to local business mentors in a product pitch competition.
SMART CENTS | $15.00 | 4-6, 45-Minute Lessons
Smart Cents helps youth develop financial skills and habits that will set them up for long-term success. Students become real-world consumers as they gain insight into how they perceive money while making personal financial plans and decisions.
Junior High
AG IN THE CLASSROOM KIT | $15.00 | Asynchronous
Extension staff with providing you and your students with portable kits that help students to better understand Nebraska’s largest industry – agriculture. Kits include activities in the areas of crop production and livestock production. The kit allows teachers can teach at their own pace. .
HUSKER BEEF LAB |VARIOUS | VARIED
The Husker Beef Lab provides hands-on experiences for students in middle school and high school. The mobile lab teaches students science principles through a ruminant animal (4 stomachs) by reaching inside the beef stomach. Students will learn about animal well-being, nutritional aspects of beef, and more about pasture to plate in Nebraska.BRIDGES AND STRUCTURES | $15.00 | 3, 45-Minute Lessons
Students work as a team to explore the world of engineering as they build structures to meet specific needs out of household items.CSI: DNA | $15.00 | 1, 90-Minute Lesson
Students will construct DNA and discover how DNA sequencing aids investigators in solving crimes. Students will get to extract their own DNA and see it with their own two eyes.
EMBRYOLOGY | $10.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought eggs and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as if they were the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily.
KITCHEN SCIENCE | $15.00 | 1, 90-Minute Lesson
Students get comfortable in the kitchen by exploring the world of chemistry using simple ingredients, food, utensils, and containers.
MICROBIOLOGY | $15.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
Gain a crash course in microbiology and learn about different types of salmonella and E. Coli that are present in the environment and on food. Students will also learn about good bacteria and yeasts that make up our food.
MOBILE SCIENCE LAB | Price | Varied
The Mobile Science Lab brings science to youth through interactive activities showing them that science is all around them.
4-H STEM CHALLENGE | Price | Varied
Each year 4-H STEM Challenge helps students to learn fundamental STEM skills while they wrestle with the same questions as today’s top scientists and engineers. Educators will provide a kit that walks through activities related to physics, light, engineering, coding, and more.
ENGAGED U: MINDFUL MOVEMENT | Price | 4, 45-Minute Lessons
Students will learn strategies that will support them to be more self-aware and enhance their social-emotional learning through movement, mindfulness practices, and team-building activities.
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT | $15.00 | 4-6, 45-Minute Lessons
Students will see the world from a new perspective and learn to be more effective leaders, as well as team members. Leadership Discovery and Personality Trait Assessment sessions followed by engaging leadership development activities will help students learn interpersonal skills.
INVENTURE DAY | PRICE | FIELD DAY
Youth engage in conversations to develop and evaluate their unique business concepts around a given widget which is used as inspiration for a product or service. Teams more through the INVENTURE factory to complete challenges while learning about product development, target markets, branding, and finance. At the end of the day, teams present their business ideas to local business mentors in a product pitch competition.
SMART CENTS | $15.00 | 4-6, 45-Minute Lessons
Smart Cents helps youth develop financial skills and habits that will set them up for long-term success. Students become real-world consumers as they gain insight into how they perceive money while making personal financial plans and decisions.
High School
HUSKER BEEF LAB |VARIOUS | VARIED
The Husker Beef Lab provides hands-on experiences for students in middle school and high school. The mobile lab teaches students science principles through a ruminant animal (4 stomachs) by reaching inside the beef stomach. Students will learn about animal well-being, nutritional aspects of beef, and more about pasture to plate in Nebraska.EMBRYOLOGY | $10.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought eggs and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as if they were the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily.
MICROBIOLOGY | $15.00 | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
Gain a crash course in microbiology and learn about different types of salmonella and E. Coli that are present in the environment and on food. Students will also learn about good bacteria and yeasts that make up our food.
MOBILE SCIENCE LAB | Price | Varied
The Mobile Science Lab brings science to youth through interactive activities showing them that science is all around them.
4-H STEM CHALLENGE | Price | Varied
Each year 4-H STEM Challenge helps students to learn fundamental STEM skills while they wrestle with the same questions as today’s top scientists and engineers. Educators will provide a kit that walks through activities related to physics, light, engineering, coding, and more.
CONNECTION THE DOTS MOVEMENT | Price | FIELD DAY
Interactive career exploration simulation program designed to help students learn more about careers of interest. Students explore how to connect the dots from early high school through postsecondary education and training to the workplace. Participants will learn about networking, work readiness skills, and complete personality inventories. Pairs well with Resume & Interview Prep Program. Offered to 9 & 10 grades.
RESUME & INTERVIEW PREP |FREE | 2, 45-Minute Lessons
Extension staff work with students to prepare them for the “real world”. Students will evaluate and learn about proper interview techniques, building their resumes, and things like making a good first impression with a firm handshake.