4-H School Enrichment Proposals
Harlan and Furnas Counties
2025-2026
FIRST GRADE
Embryology 2-3 | 45 Min Session | Agriculture Literacy
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 2 | 30-Min Sessions | Agriculture Literacy
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 4 | 45 Min Session | Entre
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 2 | 30-Min Sessions | Healthy Living
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 1 | 30 Min Session | Healthy Living
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 1 | 30 Min Session | Healthy Living
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.
First Time Physics 2 | 30 Min Sessions | Science
This program focuses on Newton’s Laws of Motion, covering light and sound through interactive learning activities.
Handwashing 1 | 30 Min Session | Science
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 1 | 45 Min Session | Science
This lesson will show you the different kinds of experiments that can happen with ingredients or supplies you have in your kitchen.
STEAM Turkey 1 | 45 Min Session | Science
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 1 | 45 Min Session | Science
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 4 | 40 Min Sessions | Science
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 4 | 40 Min Session | Science
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 4 | 30 Min Sessions | Healthy Living
This program promotes mindful practices that improve goal management, developing a sense of self, time management, stress management, emotional regulation, and conscious eating.