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 are available to teachers in Furnas County. See below for a list of current offerings with 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 register for a class, email furnas-county@unl.edu
- 4-H Staff will be in contact to schedule classes.
School Enrichment Offerings
Kindergarten
Embryology | FREE
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the hatching of baby chicks over three weeks. During the lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between stored 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.
Healthy Snack, Healthy Me | FREE
This is a “hands-on” lesson on nutritious snacks that kids can make themselves. Students will work in groups or individually to create and present their healthy snacks to the class.
Emotional Ruler | FREE
This program investigates feelings and aims to increase young students’ emotional intelligence by using interactive activities to teach children how to recognize, understand, and label when experiencing difficult emotions. It then provides an opportunity to practice strategies for expressing and regulating feelings safely and appropriately.
Handwashing | FREE
Extension staff will use a blue light and special lotion to show students all the germs on their hands. Students will then learn how to wash their hands and check to ensure they clean all the germs.
Pumpkin Life Cycle | FREE
Students will learn the concept of a life cycle by recreating a pumpkin's various stages of growth and development through a hands-on activity. Learning about life cycles will help us understand the many elements of agriculture.
STEAM Turkey | FREE
Students will combine science and art to explore facts, misconceptions, and what turkeys can provide for us. Students will create their turkey while celebrating what they are thankful for.
First Time Physics | FREE
This program focuses on Newton’s Laws of Motion, covering light and sound through interactive learning activities.
Lifecycle of a Ladybug | FREE
The lifecycle of a ladybug allows students to witness the lifecycle of ladybugs as they watch them mature from larvae to adult ladybugs. Daytime temperatures must be above 55 degrees when you release your ladybugs.
Lifecycle of a Butterfly| FREE
The lifecycle of a butterfly allows students to observe butterflies transform from caterpillars to chrysalises to butterflies with their own butterfly observation habitat. This project requires four weeks to complete, and daytime temperatures are above 55 and less than 85 degrees.
First Grade
Embryology | FREE
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the hatching of baby chicks over three weeks. During the lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between stored 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.
Farm in a Glove | FREE
Students will explore the seeds of Nebraska’s commodities. During this lesson, youth will plant seeds, discussing what is needed for growth, parts of the seeds, and how that relates to Nebraska farmers. Extension staff will then return ten days later to explain the development of the seeds and discuss the harvest process.
TEC Box | FREE
Tinker. Explore. Create. Box was developed to introduce youth to entrepreneurship, encourage active listening that leads to empathy and creative problem-solving solving, and focus on non-technical aspects of entrepreneurship.
Emotional Ruler | FREE
This program investigates feelings and aims to increase young students’ emotional intelligence by using interactive activities to teach children how to recognize, understand, and label when experiencing difficult emotions. It then provides an opportunity to practice strategies for expressing and regulating feelings safely and appropriately.
Healthy Snack, Healthy Me | FREE
This is a hands-on lesson on nutritious snacks that kids can make themselves. Students will work in groups or individually to create and present their healthy snacks to the class.
Think Your Drink | FREE
Many people drink soda and other sugary drinks throughout the day. These drinks don’t add any nutritional value to our diets. Overconsumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is a national health concern, and we need to start the conversation about what drinks will help us live healthy lives. This hands-on activity will let kids visually see how much sugar is in their drinks and allow them to try some more nutritious options.
First Time Physics | FREE
This program focuses on Newton’s Laws of Motion, covering light and sound through interactive learning activities.
Handwashing | FREE
Extension staff will use a blue light and special lotion to show students all the germs on their hands. Students will then learn how to wash their hands and check to ensure they clean all the germs.
Kitchen Science | FREE
This lesson will show you the different kinds of experiments that can happen with ingredients or supplies you have in your kitchen.
STEAM Turkey | FREE
Students will combine science and art to explore facts, misconceptions, and what turkeys can provide for us. Students will create their turkey while celebrating what they are thankful for.
Pumpkin Life Cycle | FREE
Pumpkins come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. This hands-on opportunity will allow youth to learn all about the pumpkin's life cycle. They will use their senses to see, smell, taste, and feel parts of the pumpkin.
Lifecycle of a Ladybug | FREE
The lifecycle of a ladybug allows students to witness the lifecycle of ladybugs as they watch them mature from larvae to adult ladybugs. Daytime temperatures must be above 55 degrees when you release your ladybugs.
Lifecycle of a Butterfly | FREE
The lifecycle of a butterfly allows students to observe butterflies transform from caterpillars to chrysalides to butterflies with their own butterfly observation habitat. This project requires four weeks to complete, and daytime temperatures are above 55 and less than 85 degrees.
Mindful Me | FREE
This program promotes mindful practices that improve goal management, developing a sense of self, time management, stress management, emotional regulation, and conscious eating.
Second Grade
Embryology | FREE
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the hatching of baby chicks over three weeks. During the lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between stored 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.
Farm in a Glove | FREE
Students will explore the seeds of Nebraska’s commodities. During this lesson, youth will plant seeds, discussing what is needed for growth, parts of the seeds, and how that relates to Nebraska farmers. Extension staff will then return ten days later to explain the development of the seeds and discuss the harvest process.
Emotional Ruler | FREE
This program investigates feelings and aims to increase young students’ emotional intelligence by using interactive activities to teach children how to recognize, understand, and label when experiencing difficult emotions. It then provides an opportunity to practice strategies for expressing and regulating feelings safely and appropriately.
Healthy Snack, Healthy Me | FREE
This is a hands-on lesson on nutritious snacks that kids can make themselves. Students will work in groups or individually to create and present their healthy snacks to the class.
Think Your Drink | FREE
Many people drink soda and other sugary drinks throughout the day. These drinks don’t add any nutritional value to our diets. Overconsumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is a national health concern, and we need to start the conversation about what drinks will help us live healthy lives. This hands-on activity will let kids visually see how much sugar is in their drinks and allow them to try some more nutritious options.
Purple Ribbon Kids | FREE
Four lessons were designed around leadership opportunities for mastery, generosity, inclusion, and belonging. Students will participate in hands-on personal development opportunities through the power of storytelling.
Kitchen Science | FREE
This lesson will show you the different kinds of experiments that can happen with ingredients or supplies you have in your kitchen.
Pumpkin Life Cycle | FREE
Pumpkins come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. This hands-on opportunity will allow youth to learn all about the pumpkin's life cycle. They will use their senses to see, smell, taste, and feel parts of the pumpkin.
Lifecycle of a Ladybug | FREE
The lifecycle of a ladybug allows students to witness the lifecycle of ladybugs as they watch them mature from larvae to adult ladybugs. Daytime temperatures must be above 55 degrees when you release your ladybugs.
Lifecycle of a Butterfly | FREE
The lifecycle of a butterfly allows students to observe butterflies transform from caterpillars to chrysalides to butterflies with their own butterfly observation habitat. This project requires four weeks to complete, and daytime temperatures are above 55 and less than 85 degrees.
Mindful Me | FREE
This program promotes mindful practices that improve goal management, developing a sense of self, time management, stress management, emotional regulation, and conscious eating.
Third Grade
Animals Inside & Out | FREE
Students will gain knowledge and understanding of livestock, equine, and companion animals through topics of management, body systems, and careers, which will help them understand how animals work inside and out. They will also be able to experience hands-on learning opportunities and think like veterinarians as they learn about various topics, making connections between their knowledge of the animal industry and their lives.
Embryology | FREE
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the hatching of baby chicks over three weeks. During the lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between stored 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.
AgCiting Science | FREE
Youth will discover the science behind agriculture and its products. With various lesson choices, you can develop lessons to fit your classroom needs. Lessons include topics of Nebraska Agriculture Commodities, which include beef production, dairy production, popcorn, natural resources, and how our food gets from farm to table.
Entrepreneurship | FREE
Youth will begin by establishing the basics of entrepreneurship by exploring mindsets and skills, creating a prototype, receiving feedback, and learning the art of creating and delivering a pitch. Youth will experience hands-on learning with a group by creating a business model, understanding the power of ‘yet,’ and providing positive feedback to their peers.
Healthy Snack, Healthy Me | FREE
This is a hands-on lesson on nutritious snacks that kids can make themselves. Students will work in groups or individually to create and present their healthy snacks to the class.
Think Your Drink | FREE
Many people drink soda and other sugary drinks throughout the day. These drinks don’t add any nutritional value to our diets. Overconsumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is a national health concern, and we need to start the conversation about what drinks will help us live healthy lives. This hands-on activity will let kids visually see how much sugar is in their drinks and allow them to try some more nutritious options.
Purple Ribbon Kids | FREE
Four lessons were designed around leadership opportunities for mastery, generosity, inclusion, and belonging. Students will participate in hands-on personal development opportunities through the power of storytelling.
Mindful Me | FREE
This program promotes mindful practices that improve goal management, developing a sense of self, time management, stress management, emotional regulation, and conscious eating.
Kitchen Science | FREE
This lesson will show you the different kinds of experiments that can happen with ingredients or supplies you have in your kitchen.
Fourth Grade
Animals Inside & Out | FREE
Students will gain knowledge and understanding of livestock, equine, and companion animals through topics of management, body systems, and careers, which will help them understand how animals work inside and out. They will also be able to experience hands-on learning opportunities and think like veterinarians as they learn about various topics, making connections between their knowledge of the animal industry and their lives.
Embryology | FREE
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the hatching of baby chicks over three weeks. During the lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between stored 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.
AgCiting Science | FREE
Youth will discover the science behind agriculture and its products. With various lesson choices, you can develop lessons to fit your classroom needs. Lessons include topics of Nebraska Agriculture Commodities, which include beef production, dairy production, popcorn, natural resources, and how our food gets from farm to table.
Entrepreneurship + Ag | FREE
Youth will begin by establishing the basics of entrepreneurship by exploring mindsets and skills, creating a prototype, receiving feedback, and learning the art of creating and delivering a pitch. Youth will experience hands-on learning with a group by creating a business model, understanding the power of ‘yet,’ and providing positive feedback to their peers.
TEC Box | FREE
Tinker. Explore. Create. Box was developed to introduce youth to entrepreneurship, encourage active listening that leads to empathy and creative problem-solving, and focus on non-technical aspects of entrepreneurship.
Engaged U: Mindful Movement | FREE
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.
Health Rocks! | FREE
Health Rocks is a program that aims to reduce tobacco, alcohol, and drug use by promoting healthy living habits and explaining the major health risks associated with substance use. If interested in this program, please reach out to find which lessons will best fit your classroom.
Think Your Drink | FREE
Many people drink soda and other sugary drinks throughout the day. These drinks don’t add any nutritional value to our diets. Over consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is a national health concern, and we need to start the conversation about what drinks will help us live healthy lives. This hands-on activity will let kids visually see how much sugar is in their drinks and allow them to try some more nutritious options.
Purple Ribbon Kids | FREE
Four lessons were designed around leadership opportunities for mastery, generosity, inclusion, and belonging. Students will participate in hands-on personal development opportunities through the power of storytelling.
Smart Cents | FREE
Smart Cents helps youth develop financial skills and habits to 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. Highlighted program focuses are Check It Out and Your Money Wants and Needs.
Bridges & Structures | FREE
Introduce your students to the exciting engineering career as they develop technical design abilities. Challenge your students to design a structure to meet a specific need. Students work cooperatively to build a structure and evaluate their design.
Kitchen Science | FREE
This lesson will show you the different kinds of experiments that can happen with ingredients or supplies you have in your kitchen.
Microbiology | FREE
Gain a crash course in microbiology and learn about different types of salmonella and E. Coli in the environment and food. Students will also learn about good bacteria and yeasts that make up our food.
Fifth Grade
Animals Inside & Out | FREE
Students will gain knowledge and understanding of livestock, equine, and companion animals through topics of management, body systems, and careers, which will help them understand how animals work inside and out. They will also be able to experience hands-on learning opportunities and think like veterinarians as they learn about various topics, making connections between their knowledge of the animal industry and their lives.
Embryology | FREE
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the hatching of baby chicks over three weeks. During the lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between stored 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.
AgCiting Science | FREE
Youth will discover the science behind agriculture and its products. With various lesson choices, you can develop lessons to fit your classroom needs. Lessons include topics of Nebraska Agriculture Commodities, which include beef production, dairy production, popcorn, natural resources, and how our food gets from farm to table.
Entrepreneurship + Ag | FREE
Youth will begin by establishing the basics of entrepreneurship by exploring mindsets and skills, creating a prototype, receiving feedback, and learning the art of creating and delivering a pitch. Youth will experience hands-on learning with a group by creating a business model, understanding the power of ‘yet,’ and providing positive feedback to their peers.
TEC Box | FREE
Tinker. Explore. Create. Box was developed to introduce youth to entrepreneurship, encourage active listening that leads to empathy and creative problem-solving, and focus on non-technical aspects of entrepreneurship.
Leadership Summit | FREE
Students will see the world differently and learn to be more effective leaders and team members. Leadership Discovery and Personality Trait Assessment sessions and engaging leadership development activities will help students learn interpersonal skills.
Engaged U: Mindful Movement | FREE
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.
Smart Cents | FREE
Smart Cents helps youth develop financial skills and habits to 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. Highlighted program focuses are Check It Out and Your Money Wants and Needs.
Bridges & Structures | FREE
Introduce your students to the exciting engineering career as they develop technical design abilities. Challenge your students to design a structure to meet a specific need. Students work cooperatively to build a structure and evaluate their design.
CSI: DNA | FREE
Students will construct DNA and discover how DNA sequencing aids investigators in solving crimes. They will also extract their DNA and see it with their own eyes.
Kitchen Science | FREE
This lesson will show you the different kinds of experiments that can happen with ingredients or supplies you have in your kitchen.
Microbiology | FREE
Gain a crash course in microbiology and learn about different types of salmonella and E. Coli in the environment and food. Students will also learn about good bacteria and yeasts that make up our food.
Water Jamboree | FREE
A day at Harlan County Lake, youth will explore hands-on learning in agriculture, wildlife, conservation, STEM, and much more! This field trip is offered through a partnership of many entities. To learn more, visit https://www.tribasinnrd.org/water-jamboree.
Ag Safety Day | FREE
Youth will learn about the dangers in rural communities and how to prepare themselves for risks better.
Sixth Grade
Husker Beef Lab | FREE
The Husker Beef Lab provides hands-on experiences for middle and high school students. 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, the nutritional aspects of beef, and more about pasture-to-plate in Nebraska.
Embryology | FREE
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the hatching of baby chicks over three weeks. During the lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between stored 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.
Inventure Day | FREE
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 then move through the INVENTURE factory to complete challenges while learning about product development, target markets, branding, and finance. In a product pitch competition, teams present their business ideas to local business mentors.
Leadership Summit | FREE
Students will see the world differently and learn to be more effective leaders and team members. Leadership Discovery and Personality Trait Assessment sessions and engaging leadership development activities will help students learn interpersonal skills.
Engaged U: Mindful Movement | FREE
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.
Smart Cents | FREE
Smart Cents helps youth develop financial skills and habits to 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. Highlighted program focuses are Check It Out and Your Money Wants and Needs.
Bridges & Structures | FREE
Introduce your students to the exciting engineering career as they develop technical design abilities. Challenge your students to design a structure to meet a specific need. Students work cooperatively to build a structure and evaluate their design.
CSI: DNA | FREE
Students will construct DNA and discover how DNA sequencing aids investigators in solving crimes. They will also extract their DNA and see it with their own eyes.
Kitchen Science | FREE
This lesson will show you the different kinds of experiments that can happen with ingredients or supplies you have in your kitchen.
Microbiology | FREE
Gain a crash course in microbiology and learn about different types of salmonella and E. Coli in the environment and food. Students will also learn about good bacteria and yeasts that make up our food.
Hissing Cockroach Tractor Pull | FREE
Youth will be able to understand the nature of science through investigation. With this hands-on learning, youth will witness hissing cockroaches' strength compared to their body weight.
Water Jamboree | FREE
A day at Harlan County Lake, youth will explore hands-on learning in agriculture, wildlife, conservation, STEM, and much more! This field trip is offered through a partnership of many entities. To learn more, visit https://www.tribasinnrd.org/water-jamboree.
Ag Safety Day | FREE
Youth will learn about the dangers in rural communities and how to prepare themselves for risks better.
Junior High
Husker Beef Lab | FREE
The Husker Beef Lab provides hands-on experiences for middle and high school students. 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, the nutritional aspects of beef, and more about pasture-to-plate in Nebraska.
Meat Science | FREE
This series of lessons will help youth understand concepts associated with the meat industry. Youth will gain hands-on experience calculating how much meat animals can provide, byproducts, labels, and contaminated cooking, and learn about careers to showcase a true farm-to-fork experience!
Embryology | FREE
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the hatching of baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily.
INVENTURE DAY | FREE
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 then move through the INVENTURE factory to complete challenges while learning about product development, target markets, branding, and finance. In a product pitch competition, teams present their business ideas to local business mentors.
Engaged U: Mindful Movement | FREE
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.
Power of Addiction | FREE
They are adapted from Health Rocks! Curriculum: students will learn about the health and effects of using drugs focusing on the brain, simulate altering messages, identify potential consequences of drug use, and learn the hidden dangers of vaping.
Leadership Summit | FREE
Students will see the world differently and learn to be more effective leaders and team members. Leadership Discovery and Personality Trait Assessment sessions, followed by engaging leadership development activities, will help students learn interpersonal skills.
Smart Cents | FREE
Smart Cents helps youth develop financial skills and habits to 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.
Bridges & Structures | FREE
Introduce your students to the exciting engineering career as they develop technical design abilities. Challenge your students to design a structure to meet a specific need. Students work cooperatively to build a structure and evaluate their design.
CSI: DNA | FREE
Students will construct DNA and discover how DNA sequencing aids investigators in solving crimes. They will also extract their DNA and see it with their own eyes.
Microbiology | FREE
Gain a crash course in microbiology and learn about different types of salmonella and E. Coli in the environment and food. Students will also learn about good bacteria and yeasts that make up our food.
Hissing Cockroach Tractor Pull | FREE
Youth will be able to understand the nature of science through investigation. With this hands-on learning, youth will witness hissing cockroaches' strength compared to their body weight.
Ag Safety Day | FREE
Youth will learn about the dangers in rural communities and how to prepare themselves for risks better.
High School
Husker Beef Lab | FREE
The Husker Beef Lab provides hands-on experiences for middle and high school students. 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, the nutritional aspects of beef, and more about pasture-to-plate in Nebraska.
Meat Science | FREE
This series of lessons will help youth understand concepts associated with the meat industry. Youth will gain hands-on experience calculating how much meat animals can provide, byproducts, labels, and contaminated cooking, and learn about careers to showcase a true farm-to-fork experience!
Embryology | FREE
This lesson teaches youth how life develops by observing the hatching of baby chicks over three weeks. During this lesson, students learn about the makeup of eggs, the difference between store-bought and fertilized eggs, and the process of hatching chicks. Students assume responsibility for the eggs as the mother hen and rotate them in the incubator daily. Students will also get to dive into poultry grading and egg grading. Students will learn about the reproduction of chickens, taking a deeper dive into poultry products and marketing of products.
Power of Addiction | FREE
They are adapted from Health Rocks! Curriculum: students will learn about the health and effects of using drugs focusing on the brain, simulate altering messages, identify potential consequences of drug use, and learn the hidden dangers of vaping.
Connecting the Dots | FREE
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 post secondary education and training to the workplace. Participants will learn about networking, work readiness skills, and complete personality inventories.
Resume and Interview Prep | FREE
Extension staff works with students to prepare them for the “real world.” Students will evaluate and learn about proper interview techniques, building their resumes, and making an excellent first impression with a firm handshake. We can also offer mock interviews for students to experience interview-style questions and environments!
Microbiology | FREE
Gain a crash course in microbiology and learn about different types of salmonella and E. Coli in the environment and food. Students will also learn about good bacteria and yeasts that make up our food.