Let 4-H help you meet PA Curriculum Standards with 4-H School Enrichment and 4-H After School Enrichment Programs!

Did you know that during the 2008-09 school year, over 6,000 projects were completed by youth in Delaware County who participated in 4-H school enrichment and 4-H after school programs? Here's what some of your co-workers and their students have had to say about 4-H projects in the classroom.

“Great programs! Very organized.”
“ The students were highly engaged.”
“…an experience they will always remember”.
“This is the best thing we ever did”.
“The embryology project taught … responsibility, …..compassion for living things, …sensitivity to the demands of parenthood.”

Most of these programs help you and your students meet Pennsylvania Academic Standards in science, environmental education, health, safety and physical education, and family and consumer sciences. 4-H Educators work with teachers and after school groups and community organizations to identify their needs and interests and then help them build programs. 4-H project books are available for Delaware County, Pennsylvania classroom teachers, home school families, and after school clubs to use with students.

Be sure to download a group enrollment form as well as the individual program enrollment form for Embryology, Indoor Gardening, or Ag Literacy. Please note the deadlines for enrollment. If you are unable to download the information, please call the extension office for a hard copy (610-690-2655).

For a complete listing of all 4-H projects, check the PA 4-H web site at: http://PA4h.cas.psu.edu (Click on “Projects.”)

You can check the Academic Standards met by many 4-H projects at: http://PA4h.cas.psu.edu (Click on “For Teachers”)

Popular 4-H School Enrichment and After School Enrichment Programs

• Embryology: This science project includes embryonated eggs, incubator, and lesson materials. By hatching eggs in an incubator, students will learn about embryonic development and the uses for chickens and eggs. Embryology meets many Science & Technology academic standards.
• Spring Indoor Gardening: Our Spring Plant Science program includes lesson plans, project books and materials needed for a modest fee per participant. Many academic standards are met in the areas of Science & Technology and Environment & Ecology.
• Agricultural Literacy Projects: If you are looking for ways to introduce young people to the world of agriculture and life sciences, then check out these kid-tested, fun-filled science activities that are keyed to national science education standards in the areas of agriculture, plants and insects. Agricultural Literacy projects show kids the source of the foods we consume.
• Woodworking: Build a simple project from wood. Chose from a variety of projects. Stain, paint, brushes, sandpaper, stencils, nails and glue are supplied for $10 per kit. Recommended for grades 3 through 8.
• Rocketry: Learn physics by doing simple experiments and building Estes model rockets and/or bottle rockets. Check out our newest aerospace series, Aerospace Adventures, with four different books geared to primary through high school students. $10 per Estes rocket kit; Rocket building and launching training available for teachers upon request.

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The 4-H Project materials listed below are also available for use with in-school classes, homeschoolers, and after school clubs. To examine a sample copy, call 610-690-7665, or email Helaine Brown at hxb1@psu.edu . To receive multiple copies, you must enroll your club/class using the 4-H Group Enrollment Form and pay a $20 educational materials fee. 

Reading Makes Cents: This brand new project guides youth in exploring ideas, activities, and strategies that help them earn and save money. Designed to appeal to children in grades 3-5, Reading Makes Cents uses literature to provide a rich diversity of settings, people, income levels, relationships, ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and religions all related to money messages and learning.

Up for the Challenge: Lifetime Fitness, Healthy Decisions (NEW!) – This is a brand new fitness, nutrition and health curriculum for school-aged, middle school and teen aged youth. The 290-page curriculum is divided into five chapters with each chapter containing multiple lessons in physical activity, nutrition and healthy decision making. Lessons range in scope and length from 30-60 minute nutrition and/or physical activities to a multi-week wellness event.

Entomology: Join our Pest Patrol (grades 3-5), Creepy Crawlers (grades 3-5), What’s Bugging You (grades 6-8) and Dragons, Houses and Other Flies (grades 9-12) - Learning about insects and IPM through age-appropriate hands-on activities.

Treasures of 4-H: Designed to introduce youth in grades 2-4 to the world of 4-H, using an “exploration” theme and a variety of short hands-on activities in the following areas: Citizenship and civic education; communication and expressive arts; consumer and family sciences; environmental education and earth sciences; healthy lifestyles; personal development and leadership; plants and animals; and science and technology.

Diversity Activities for Youth and Adults: Hands-on activities where participants will become more aware of their own cultural viewpoints and will accept and respect the differences and similarities in people. Easily adaptable for all ages.

Que Rico! La Cultura: Latino Cultural Arts Bilingual Group Activities for Youth K-8 is designed to teach youth about many aspects of Latino culture. Youth will explore the history and culture of Latin America through art; foster their understanding of culture, both their own and that of others; and will learn to appreciate the differences and similarities of people throughout the world.

Guide to Exploring African American Culture: Designed for youth 10 years and older, this project helps youth develop an understanding of African American culture and its importance in U.S. society. Groups will experience hands-on activities in the areas of arts and crafts, music, foods, holidays, language and more, and will learn about notable African Americans throughout history. (Cost $10 per guide)

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*Penn State University imposes a $20 educational materials fee on each 4-H project conducted in a classroom to support curriculum development and publication costs. You may want to contact your parent- teacher organization to help you fund these exciting educational programs. Please note that if 70% of the youth in a school are participating in the free and reduced lunch program, then the school is exempt from payment of this classroom fee.

For additional information on all 4-H projects and general information about 4-H programs for individuals and families, contact the Penn State Extension Office, Delaware County - home of Delaware County 4-H.

Helaine Brown, 4-H Educator, hxb1@psu.edu

Penn State Cooperative Extension, Delaware County
Smedley Park , 20 Paper Mill Rd., Springfield, PA 19064
Phone: 610-690-2655, Fax: 610-690-2676
E-mail: DelawareExt@psu.edu
Home Horticulture Advice: 610-690-2671

Penn State Cooperative Extension - General Information and Resources, http://www.cas.psu.edu

**The information provided on this site is for Delaware County residents and may not be the same as that offered by other counties. If you are not a Delaware County resident, you should contact the Cooperative Extension office (in Pennsylvania or other US States) located in your county.