WHAT IS 4·H SCHOOL ENRICHMENT?
Cooperation between schools and Nebraska Extension has existed for many
years in Lincoln·Logan·McPherson Counties, complementing the
educational goals of both organizations. The 4·H School Enrichment Program
uses materials that are researched-based and produced by specialists from
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the National 4·H Council and various
universities and organizations throughout the United States.
4·H School Enrichment resources include teacher guides, students' manuals,
multi-media tools, teaching kits, and staff presentations. The Nebraska
Extension in Lincoln·Logan·McPherson County staff can teach the project to
the students in the classroom or provide the materials to the teacher to use.
As 4·H participants, your students will also have the opportunity to take part
in 4-H activities outside of the classroom. Camps, special events, and either
in the Lincoln, Logan, or McPherson County Fair.
The cost to participate in the 4·H School Enrichment depends on the
program coming to your classroom. If you are interested, please fill out the
attached registration form and return to the Lincoln-Logan-McPherson
County Extension Office as soon as possible.
2025-2026 School Enrichment Opportunities
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Look Who's Hatching- Cost $40
- Suggested Grade Level(s): Pre-K to 2nd
- 3- 30 to 45 minute sessions
- Instructor: Lauren Bergner
Youth will learn how life develops by observing the process of hatching baby chicks over a 3 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.
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Pumpkin Life Cycle- Cost $25
- Suggested Grade Level(s): K to 1st
- 1- 45 minutes to 1 hour session
- Instructor: Lauren Bergner
Youth will learn the lifecycle of a pumpkin as well as doing a hands on activity with the pumpkin.
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My Cheeseburger Grew on a Farm- Cost $30
- Suggested Grade Level(s): K to 2nd
- 1- 30 to 45 minute session
- Instructor: Lauren Bergner
Youth will explore agriculture with a look at the cattle industry. Youth may or may not be aware of all the components of a cheeseburger: the cheese, which comes from milk produced by dairy cattle, and the hamburger, which comes from the meat produced by beef cattle. They will also learn additional products that come from dairy and beef cattle, as well as how cattle fit into our food chain.
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Animals Inside & Out- Cost $0
- Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd to 5th
- 1- 30 minute pre-lesson
- Instructor: Lauren Bergner
Youth will (1) gain knowledge and understanding of the livestock industry, (2) develop science skills and SET abilities to help solve everyday situations; and (3) become aware of careers related to animal science.
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Embryology- Cost $40
- Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd to 5th
- 3- 30 to 45 minutes sessions
- Instructor: Lauren Bergner
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. Student's assume responsibility for the eggs monitoring the incubator and rotating the eggs daily.
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Ag Safety Day- Cost $0
- Suggested Grade Level(s): 2nd
- Whole Day Program
- Instructor: Caitlyn Jacobson & Lauren Bergner
Program Objectives
• After attending a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day®, participant should be
able to:
• Demonstrate the logical thinking necessary to recognize and respect farm
hazards.
• Identify at least five injury outcomes of farm incidents and explain the
cause-and-effect relationship between each.
• State five farm safety rules.
• Recognize human limitations and reaction time.
• Identify and demonstrate basic emergency action steps.
• Understand and respect why parents or other adults place some farm
activities or sites off-limits.
• Share information and a sense of responsibility for farm safety with family
members and farm visitors.
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Idea to Pitch- Cost $10
- Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd to 5th
- 5- 60 to 90 minute sessions; 1 week
- Instructor: Caitlyn Jacobson
Students will see the importance of imagination and experience the process of thinking creatively. This is not just for fun (even though it will be) as "The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Reports predicts creativity, innovation and ideation will be key skills for the workforce of the future."
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Smart Cents- Cost $10
- Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th to 6th
- 5 week program
- Instructor: Caitlyn Jacobson
Smart Cents is a financial literacy program delivered through hands-on application and practice of everyday economic activities. This hands-on workshop serves to build a foundation of financial skills and habits that will set young learners up for long-term success!
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Leadership Summit- Cost $10
- Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th to 6th
- 5 week program
- Instructor: Caitlyn Jacobson
The Leadership Summit Program was developed by Nebraska Extension 4-H professionals and has been recognized and awarded on a national level. The fifth and/or sixth grade participants will see the world from a new perspective and learn to be more effective leaders, as well as team members after participating in this 5 week program. As you see in the timeline below, students will participate in a leadership discovery/personality trait assessment session that is followed by engaging interactive leadership development activities that will build student's knowledge of interpersonal and teamwork skills.
Day 1: Welcome & Base of the Summit-Leadership Discovery (includes personality assessment)
Day 2: Circle the Hikers ( Cards of Value Activity)
Day 3: Team Building Activity- Scenic Lookout
Day 4: Team Building Activity- Teamwork Tightrope
Day 5: Team Building Activity- Tower Building
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Handwashing- Cost $15/classroom
- Suggested Grade Level(s): 2nd to 6th
- Instructor: Brenda Aufdenkamp
Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. This lesson will teach student's how to wash their hands correctly. You will have the opportunity to see how well they have washed their hands using Glo-Germ with a fluorescent UVA view box.
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Wheat- Cost $0
- Suggested Grade Level(s): 2nd to 12th
- 90 minute session with access to a stove
- Instructor: Brenda Aufdenkamp
Nebraska Extension has partnered with the Nebraska Wheat Board to increase Nebraskans knowledge of the importance of eating whole grain foods. Through hands-on baking experiences, students will learn to identify whole grain foods, engage in hands-on baking of whole wheat pasta baking or whole wheat bread. Each students will play a role in the cooking process, learn to identify a food label and enjoy eating a baked whole wheat food.
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Rethink Your Drink- Cost Free or with Smoothie Samples $15/classroom
- Suggested Grade Level(s): 2nd to 6th grade
- Instructor: Brenda Aufdenkamp
Rethink Your Drink is an eye-opening lesson where student's see exactly how much sugar is in their favorite beverage. Learn the "Go, Slow, and Whoa" concept to reading food labels and selecting your next healthy beverage.
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