On this page you will find the current school enrichment programming for 2023-24.
Programming and topics can be adapted to help you meet state guidelines!
Nebraska Extension Clay/Fillmore Counties - School Enrichment Programs
Farm to the Cart:
Description: Where does our food, clothing and shelter come from? Play a game showing where our food comes from while learning shapes on the farm. Play a game showing where our food comes from and learn shapes on the farm.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed SC.K.7.2.A, SC.K.12.3.B, SC.K.12.3.C
My Clothing and the Weather
Description: Understand how clothing provides protection from the weather and understand how to dress for the weather they will be in. Youth will participate in a hands-on activity to understand basic scientific weather-related language.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed SC.K.12.3.A
NEW!
Check out some new offerings this year! Also, we are planning to send out email reminders with upcoming programs and opportunities for your students approximately every 4-6 weeks. To sign up and receive these online newsletters, go to: https://go.unl.edu/school_enrichment
New Programs!
S’Mores in the Sun? (grades K-4th) – Utilizing Solar Energy to Cook Food
Description: You don’t need to build a campfire to get gooey s’mores! Just tap into the sun, fuel source that people around the world use to power solar ovens. In this lesson students will use the sun to generate heat by constructing a solar powered oven and discover how chocolate and marshmallows melt in a solar powered oven.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed: SC.K.12.3, SC.1.11.3.B, SC.2.3.1, SC.3.12.4.B, SC.4.4.2.A, SC.4.4.2.B, SC.4.4.2.F
Garden TOOLS for Corn (grades 3-8th) – Coding meets Plant Science!
Description: Supporting computational thinking and science-informed decision making in the garden…Do you have a school garden, outdoor classroom space or grow plants in your classroom?
Garden TOOLS (Technology Opportunities in Outdoor Learning Spaces) for Corn offers resources to support you and your students as they...
- learn to code environmental sensors to take measurements in the garden
- gather, analyze, and interpret data to make informed decisions
- develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- engineer technology solutions to real-world challenges
Nebraska Science Standards addressed SC.3.9.3, SC.3.12.4, SC.4.6.3, SC.6.9.3, SC.6.12.4, SC.7.13.5, SC.8.9.4, SC.8.10.5
Other standards: LA 3.4, MA 3.4, MA 4.4, MA 5.4, MA 6.4, MA 7.4, MA 8.4
Health Rocks – (Grades 3-9) NEWLY REVISED CURRICULUM
Description: Curricula for a healthy living program aimed at 8–16-year-olds with the goal of bring youth families and communities across the US together to reduce tobacco, alcohol, and drug use by youth. The focus of this curriculum is tobacco, alcohol and drugs, however other risky behaviors are addressed. Other behaviors addressed include inadequate physical activity, sexual behaviors and behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence. This can be used as 16-week curricula if desired.
Meets Nebraska Health Education Standards in Strand 3: Substance Abuse Prevention, Strand 4: Disease Prevention, Strand 6: Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Strand 8: Consumer & Environmental Safety
Financial Literacy (Grades 3-12th) – NEWLY REVISED CURRICULUM
Description: We will introduce general concepts related to financial health such as establishing good savings habits and responsible spending. We can focus on a certain topic of finance or have several sessions related to mindful money habits. This curriculum also includes career preparation/entrepreneurship skills.
Addresses many of the Personal Finance Standards including: BMM.HS.8.8
Beef Cattle from A to Z (Grades K-3)
Description: Identify common beef products, explore breed identify, define agriculture, and articulate ways that farmers care for animals through hands-on activities.
CCSS for English Language Arts Informational Text K-5 (1, 2, 4, 7)
CCSS for Mathematics K.CC.4:. & 1.MD.4:
National Social Studies & History Standards NSS-G.K-12.1 The world in spatial terms.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed SC.K.12.3.A, SC.1.6.2,
Hot House Detective (Grade K-3)
Description: Youth will learn about the process of germination by creating a seed necklace and learning about the parts of the seed.
Nebraska Standards addressed: SC.K.7.2.A, SC.K.12.3.B, SC.K.12.3.C, SC.1.6.2, SC 2.7.2
Fight Bac/Bacteriology (Grade K-3)
Grades Pre-K – 3: Using “Glow Germ” powder, younger students will see how easily germs can spread. We’ll talk about benefits of hand washing. “Bac”, the grumpy bacteria puppet, will also visit the younger classes.
Grades 4 – 6: Upper-level students learn about the spread of germs, grow, and observe cultures of bacteria common in our lives. This can also tie in safe food handling and personal hygiene.
Meets various Nebraska Health Education Standards & life science standards.
Pumpkin Life Cycle (Grade K-2)
Description: Students will learn the concept of a life cycle by recreating the various stages of growth and development of a pumpkin through a hands-on activity. Learning about life cycles will help in understanding the many elements of agriculture.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed: SC.K.7.2.A, SC.K.12.3.B, SC.K.12.3.C, SC.1.6.2 ,SC.2.7.2
Positively Popcorn (Grade K-5)
Description: This lesson is a hands-on activity on the process of how popcorn pops using gas as a form of matter. Youth will use science to learn the importance of agriculture and how popcorn goes from a seed to a snack.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed: SC.1.6.2, SC.2.3.1, SC5.2.1, SC.5.3
How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? (Grades K-2)
Description: Introduce healthy choices and a balanced meal and understand how their food is produced.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed: SC.K.7.2.A, SC.K.12.3.B, SC.K.12.3.C
How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? (Grades 2-3)
Description: Introduce the concept of sequence or story order to youth by learning how their food is produced.
National Learning Standards:
NL-ENG.K-12.1 -4. Reading for Perspective, Reading for Understanding, Evaluation Strategies, Communication Skills & NS.K-4.1 Science as Inquiry
Nebraska Science Standards addressed: SC.2.7.2
Soil is Not a Dirty Word (Grades 1-3)
Description: Apply knowledge of the seeds, soil and sun to the larger concept of agriculture and determine particles in soil and soil types.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed: SC 2.1.1, SC 5.1.1, SC.2.7.2, SC 2.13.3, SC 3.7.2
The Plant Parts We Eat (Grades 1-3)
Description: Apply knowledge of seeds, soil and sun to the larger concept of agriculture and understand the process of photosynthesis; identify plant parts humans & animals use for food.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed: SC.K.7.2, SC.1.6.2, SC2.1.1, SC.2.7.2
Spheros (Grades K-8)
***Variety of lessons available and still being developed in conjunction with the classroom teacher.
Description: Draw paths or use blocks that represent code. Then write your own Javascript text programs. Utilizing Sphero educational tools, it weaves hardware, software, and community engagement to promote 21st century skills.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed: SC.6.4.1, SC 8.1.1, SC 8.4.3
Lesson already developed include:
- There was an Old Lady who Swallowed some Snow: SC.K.1.1, MA 0.1.1.a
Radioactive Golf Balls (Grades 4-6)
Description: Students will learn the basics of engineering science through hands-on activities. Students will work in groups and use their creativity to develop a new device to transport “radioactive” golf balls safely over 8 feet.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed: SC.4.4.2, SC 6.4.1
Tec Box (Grades 1-5)
A creative problem-solving experiential learning activity.
Description: Youth will explore entrepreneurial skills through hands-on activities. This is a two-part workshop. You will create a product or service to solve a problem in their community using a maker space. You will then build their product in to a business and present their idea to investors.
Embryology (Grade PreK-12) SPRING ONLY (First-come, first-serve basis)
Description: Students of all ages enjoy taking care of eggs and anticipating the arrival of baby chicks. We learn about the similarities and differences between chickens, other animals and humans as well as study the development of life. We will also talk about animal care and the circle of life. Real eggs, from ostrich to robin will also be available for observation and comparison.
Nebraska Science Standards addressed: 1.1.3, 1.4.1, 1.4.2, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 8.4.1
College & Career Readiness (5-8th)
Description: As educators, Nebraska Extension’s goal is to prepare each student for post-secondary success, regardless of what path each may choose. This curriculum is to help youth develop skills and knowledge in career exploration.
Aligns with Nebraska Standards for Career Ready Practice
Middle School Leadership Summit (5-8th)
Description: 5th -8th graders will see the world from a new perspective and learn to be more effective leaders, as well as team members, after attending this day-long event. Leadership Discovery and Personality Trait Assessment sessions followed by engaging interactive leadership development activities will build knowledge of interpersonal and teamwork skills.
To compliment Beef (and Pork) Booster programs, the following programs are available:
*Beef Basics (for Grades 1-5)*
Demonstrate an understanding of cattle and basic cattle terminology and identify major beef producing regions in the U.S. and world.
*Caring for Cattle (for Grades 1-6)*
Explain how people involved in agriculture ensure the wellbeing of animals through routine practices (i.e. providing shelter, access to food & water, illness prevention).
Identify major feed components in cattle rations.
*What’s for Dinner (for Grades 5-8)*
Identify major cuts of beef and plan a meal using lean beef.
*Beef Cattle: The Story of Agriculture (for Grades 4-6)
Understand the five parts of agriculture: production, processing, distribution, marketing and consumerism.
*Taste & Nutrition (for Grades 7-12)*
Identify and describe nutrient benefits of the vitamins and minerals provided by consuming beef. Demonstrate cooking practices using lean beef and build a nutritious meal plan incorporating beef products.
Experiential Kits Available to Check-Out which includes a Teacher’s Guide
(Some lessons have consumable products & may not be provided)
Drone Discovery (Grades 3rd-8th)
Learn about the platform part of a drone system; design a flying device to explore the forces of flight, lift, thrust and gravity. Brainstorm ways drones can help us in everyday life.
Incredible Wearables (Grades 3rd-8th)
Students will learn the engineering design process to build a prototype wearable technology that will gather data to help solve a real-world problem.
Rockets to the Rescue (Grade 3rd-8th)
Captures Many of the wonders and issues of modern-day engineering. It emphasizes aerospace engineering, as it incorporates lessons related to math, science and physics. While it is a fictional scenario, it has real life parallels.
Eco Bot Challenge (Grade 3rd-8th)
Explore how robots can be used to preserve and protect the environment, while offering a glimpse into the future of science, technology, engineering and math.
Code Your World (Grade 3rd-8th)
Show youth how they can use computer science and code both as a form of personal expression and as a lens to understand the world around them with engaging activities with a computer or unplugged.
Motion Commotion (Grade 3rd-8th)
Explores the science of motion through the relationship of speed and stopping distance. The activity extends to real-world investigation on reaction time and safety, making connections to the dangers of distracted driving.
Wired for Wind (Grade 3rd-8th)
Explore how to engineer renewable energy technologies and the positive impact that they can have in communities across the country and the world.
Mars Base Camp (Grade 3rd-8th)
Explore sending a mission to Mars with activities that include concepts such as engineering, physics, computer science and agriculture.
NEBRASKA CLASSROOM CONNECTION OFFERINGS
Whether your classroom is in a school, cafeteria, gym, or living room, learning can happen anywhere. And Nebraska 4-H Youth Development is ready to help.
With a wide variety of program offerings for both in-school or out-of-school delivery, the following experiences are designed for groups of youth in school classrooms, home school co-ops, afterschool programs, and families looking for supplemental learning experiences.
By searching the 4-H Classroom Connection catalog, you will find an experience that is most relevant to the needs of your learners and their environment. All opportunities are supported by a statewide network of Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development faculty/staff, bringing the education of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln straight to your classroom.
You will find a variety of programs (some free and some with a cost) that can fit into your curriculum. This listing includes virtual field trips.