4-H School Enrichment and Out-of-School programs, delivered through Nebraska Extension, offer experiential learning programs that are designed to enrich and enhance classroom curriculum. Each program is aligned with the Nebraska State Board of Education Content Area Standards in the areas of Science, Mathematics, and English Language Arts. We also offer programs in Social Studies and Career Education.
All programs are available to classes in Dodge County with the goal of providing research-based content that provides experiences to develop in-depth knowledge, raise awareness, and help youth find their spark and motivation. We are always interested in developing additional content around special topics to meet the needs of your classroom, especially in the STEM areas. We can also discuss adjusting content that is currently offered to suite additional grade levels.
See below for a list of current offerings with recommended grade levels.
After reviewing offerings, please contact Dodge County Extension 4-H staff by calling 402-727-2775 or emailing alaina.kauffman@unl.edu.
If you are interested in School Enrichment but do not see a topic you would like presented, please fill out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/ikbuxu30CS
To sign up for a School Enrichment program please use this link:https://forms.office.com/r/yMDvj7Xaa1
NOTE: Teachers or staff members must remain in the classroom with students during all programming.
Programs Offered to Dodge County Schools
Ag Literacy
Agriculture is Nebraska's #1 industry, affecting all of our daily lives both directly and indirectly. Through these programs students will learn more about agricultural products, careers, and impacts on local communities.
Farm in a Glove (Grades offered: 1st - 5th)
Students will learn about agriculture in Nebraska and its impact on their lives, the parts of a plant and plant lifecycles, and participate in growing common crops in a glove to observe germination and growth.
Nebraska School Standards: SC.K.7.2.A , SC.1.6.2.B, SC.2.7.2.A, SC.3.9.3.A, SC.4.6.3.B
Length & Facilitator: 2, 45 minute sessions; Extension Staff
STEM
STEM programs encourage youth to develop positive interests and attitudes about science and related careers by gaining experience and confidence analyzing complex problems and proposing solutions. These skills allow youth to make informed decisions regarding current agricultural, environmental, energy, and technology related issues, and seek out higher education opportunities and careers related to science.
Insect Life Cycles and Biodiversity (Grades offered: Pre-K-5)
Insects are all around us and provide vital services for human food sources and the environment. In these lessons youth will observe the life cycle of an insect (typically Monarch Butterflies or Ladybugs) and describe how insect body structures develop over time. Youth will also learn about beneficial vs pest insects and why there are so many different types of bugs!
Nebraska School Standards: SC.K.7.2.A-C, SC.2.7.2.B-C, SC.3.7.2.A, SC.3.9.3.A, SC.3.9.3.C
Length & Facilitator: 2, 45 minute sessions; Extension Staff
Look Who’s Hatching (Grades offered: Pre-K–2nd). For Grades 3-12 see Embryology below.
Youth will learn how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over a three-week period. During these lessons, 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 the eggs in the incubator daily.
Nebraska School Standards: SC.K.7.2A, SC.1.6.2.C, SC.2.7.2.A
Length & Facilitator: 2, 45 minute sessions; Extension Staff
Embryology (Grades offered: 3rd-12th)
Embryology is the study of embryos and their development. During these lessons, youth learn about the nutritional makeup of eggs and how it relates to the developing chick and human nutrition. Students explore the role of the egg in reproduction and how it enabled vertebrate animals to transition to life on land during the course of evolution. In upper grade levels youth can explore the relationship between genes, gene expression, and development of the embryo from a single cell to a differentiated animal. Students assume responsibility for the eggs monitoring the incubator and rotating the eggs daily.
Nebraska School Standards: SC.3.9.3.A, SC.4.6.3.C, SC.5.8.2.A, SC.6.9.3.A-C, SC.8.10.5.B-C, SC.HS.6.1.A-C
Length & Facilitator: 2, 45 minute sessions; Extension Staff
Crime Scene Investigation: DNA (Grades offered: 5th-12th)
DNA encodes the instructions for every cell in our bodies and is used to transmit this information across generations. Similarities and differences in the DNA sequence between individuals are important in understanding health outcomes and human history. Students will construct a model of DNA and discover how DNA sequencing aids investigators in solving crimes. Students will get to extract their own DNA in a hands-on experiment to visualize this important molecule.
Nebraska Standards Addressed: SC.5.3.1.C, SC.6.9.3.A-C, SC.8.9.4.A, SC.HS.6.1.A-C, SC.HS.9.4.A-B
Length & Facilitator: 1, 90 minute session; Extension Staff
Microbiology (Grades offered: 5th–12th)
Microbes are integral parts of all living systems and range from beneficial organisms needed to bake bread and aid in digestion, to harmful pathogens. In this course youth will learn about different types of common microbes, such as yeat, Salmonella, and E. coli that are present in the environment and on food. Youth will isolate and culture microbes from the environment and learn how to identify which group they belong to.
Nebraska Standards Addressed: SC.5.3.1.C, SC.6.6.2.A-D, SC.HS.10.5.B
Length & Facilitator: 2, 45 minute sessions; Extension Staff
Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Personal Development
These programs are aimed at encouraging youth to explore marketing, problem solving, and skill development. Youth are provided with important skills and information that will help them explore their options when pursuing work and higher education opportunities.
INVENTURE Day (Grades offered: 6th-8th)
In this program 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.
Price: FREE
Length & Facilitator: Single Day Program brought to your location; Statewide Extension Educators
Resume & Interview Prep (Grades offered: 9th - 12th)
Successful interviewing is determined by being prepared and practiced. Youth will participate in a workshop where they will evaluate and learn about proper interview techniques, building their resumes, and making a good first impression during an interview.
Length & Facilitator: 2, 45 minute lessons; Extension Staff
Connecting the Dots (Grades offered: 9th – 10th)
Connecting the Dots is an interactive career exploration simulation program designed to help students learn more about careers of interest. The simulation experience incorporates local/area business and industry, post-secondary, and military partners. Additional workshops on resumes, motivating skills, and additional topics are a part of this program. 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.
Price: FREE
Length & Facilitator: Single Day Program brought to your location; Statewide Extension Educators
Ag Literacy - Farm to Table
Beef Video - Where Does Your Food Come From?
Pork Video - Where Does Your Food Come From?
Corn Video - Where Does Your Food Come From?
Nutrition Education Program (NEP)
Nutrition programs will teach My Plate food groups, basic nutrients, label reading and planning a balanced meal. If you are interested in participating in any of the NEP school enrichment programs, contact Beth Nacke at bnacke2@unl.edu or 402-727-2775.