School Enrichment Offerings
2025 - 2026
Life Cycles
Duration: 1 hour session
Students will be introduced to some of the elements of agriculture and experience the wonder of life cycles by looking at either pumpkins or apples (pumpkins are offered in the fall, apples in the spring).
Farm Web
Duration: 30-45 minute session
In this curriculum, students will explore the role of agriculture in their daily lives and see how most of the necessities of life can be traced back to the farm. Students will engage in a real-life scenario where they will put their heads together to make a pictorial chart.
Embryology
* March/April only
Duration: 4 sessions lasting 45 min- 1 hour
4-H Embryology teaches students about science and respect for life. Students learn about the life cycle of chickens and hatch chicks in the classroom- witnessing the exciting miracle of life. Students take the responsibilities of caring for the fertilized eggs and then the chicks after they have hatched. Following each session, the hatched birds are given to local farmers.
Farm Web
Duration: 30-45 minute session
In this curriculum, students will explore the role of agriculture in their daily lives and understand how most of the necessities of life can be traced back to the farm. Students will engage in a real-life scenario where they will put their heads together to make a pictorial chart.
Mystery Catapult
Duration: 45 min- 1 hour session
Youth experience engineering by being challenged to design a catapult that launches a pompom. Students work in teams, and each team is handed a “Mystery Bag” that contains simple everyday products. Youth must design their catapult prior to construction. Teams will test their catapults as a large group. Reflection includes what was similar about the catapults, what materials were used, and how this relates to the real world.
Embryology
* March/April only
Duration: 4 sessions lasting 45 min- 1 hour
4-H Embryology teaches students about science and respect for life. Students learn about the life cycle of chickens and hatch chicks in the classroom- witnessing the exciting miracle of life. Students take the responsibilities of caring for the fertilized eggs and then the chicks after they have hatched. Following each session, the hatched birds are given to local farmers.
Farm Web
Duration: 30-45 minute session
In this curriculum, students will explore the role of agriculture in their daily lives and understand how most of the necessities of life can be traced back to the farm. Students will engage in a real-life scenario where they will put their heads together to make a pictorial chart.
Mystery Catapult
Duration: 45 min- 1 hour session
Youth experience engineering by being challenged to design a catapult that launches a pompom. Students work in teams, and each team is handed a “Mystery Bag” that contains simple everyday products. Youth must design their catapult prior to construction. Teams will test their catapults as a large group. Reflection includes what was similar about the catapults, what materials were used, and how this relates to the real world.
AgCiting Science
Duration: Lessons range from 30- 60 minutes
Dive into Nebraska agriculture through sessions that highlight livestock, natural resources, food, and plant science. A total of 3 sessions are available for selection. Youth learn about the different Nebraska agriculture crops, farm to plate concepts, and the science within agriculture. You may choose one or more lessons from the list below:
- Our World: Students discover the amount of soil available to grow food and learn to identify types of basic resources and describe how humans affect our environment.
- Pizza Farm: Students explore connections between farmers, ranchers, and their favorite pizza.
- Positively Popcorn: Students will use science to learn the importance of agriculture and how popcorn goes from a seed to a snack.
AgSplosion
* This program will be offered in the fall as a multi-school event. Specific date TBD.
Duration: Full-day field day event
Throughout this day-long program, students will have hands-on activities and games that enhance learning with opportunities to learn more about animals and where their food comes from. They will also explore careers related to animal science and agriculture.
Schools will need to provide a sack lunch for students, teachers, and staff that attend.
Food For Thought
Duration: Three, 20-45 minute sessions
Food for Thought is designed to spark an interest in STEM and inspire real-world actions to help build food security on an individual and community basis.
Activities include:
- Food Fighters - Learn about the global food supply chain through this collaborative board game. Students work together to secure their town's food supply, making strategic decisions and building teamwork skills.
- Chew on This - This entrepreneurial challenge encourages students to think critically about food waste reduction. By brainstorming innovative uses for food scraps, students develop problem-solving and design thinking skills.
- Know to Grow - This hands-on engineering activity introduces students to plant science and controlled environment agriculture. Students design and build efficient growing environments, fostering an understanding of plant cultivation and its role in food security.
Farm Web
Duration: 30-45 minute session
In this curriculum, students will explore the role of agriculture in their daily lives and understand how most of the necessities of life can be traced back to the farm. Students will engage in a real-life scenario where they will put their heads together to make a pictorial chart.
Mystery Catapult
Duration: 45 min- 1 hour session
Youth experience engineering by being challenged to design a catapult that launches a pompom. Students work in teams, and each team is handed a “Mystery Bag” that contains simple everyday products. Youth must design their catapult prior to construction. Teams will test their catapults as a large group. Reflection includes what was similar about the catapults, what materials were used, and how this relates to the real world.
Food For Thought
Duration: Three, 20-45 minute sessions
Food for Thought is designed to spark an interest in STEM and inspire real-world actions to help build food security on an individual and community basis.
Activities include:
- Food Fighters - Learn about the global food supply chain through this collaborative board game. Students work together to secure their town's food supply, making strategic decisions and building teamwork skills.
- Chew on This - This entrepreneurial challenge encourages students to think critically about food waste reduction. By brainstorming innovative uses for food scraps, students develop problem-solving and design thinking skills.
- Know to Grow - This hands-on engineering activity introduces students to plant science and controlled environment agriculture. Students design and build efficient growing environments, fostering an understanding of plant cultivation and its role in food security.
AgCiting Science
Duration: Lessons range from 30- 60 minutes
Dive into Nebraska agriculture through sessions that highlight livestock, natural resources, food, and plant science. A total of 3 sessions are available for selection. Youth learn about the different Nebraska agriculture crops, germination, farm to plate concepts, and the science within agriculture. You may choose one or more lessons from the list below:
- Our World: Students discover the amount of soil available to grow food and learn to identify types of basic resources and describe how humans affect our environment.
- Pizza Farm: Students explore connections between farmers, ranchers, and their favorite pizza.
- Positively Popcorn: Students will use science to learn the importance of agriculture and how popcorn goes from a seed to a snack.
Explorers of the Deep
Duration: Three, 30-45 minute sessions
Ocean exploration and research are important tools that help scientists, policy makers, communities and individuals prepare for and adapt to changing ocean conditions. Since Earth is an ocean planet, these impacts affect humans and organisms all around the world, regardless of their proximity to the ocean. The challenge activities are designed to help youth develop observational and critical thinking skills while exploring the interconnections between the ocean and humans, regardless of where they live. The activities are based on the long-standing Ocean Literacy Principles and Fundamental Concepts, developed by ocean scientists and K–12 educators in 2005.
Animals Inside & Out
* This program will be offered in the spring as a multi-school event. Specific date TBD.
Duration: Full-day field day event
Throughout this day-long program, students will have hands-on activities and games that enhance learning and opportunities to learn more about animals and where their food comes from. They also have the opportunity to explore careers related to animal science and agriculture.
Schools will need to provide a sack lunch for students, teachers, and staff that attend.
Mystery Catapult
Duration: 45 min- 1 hour session
Youth experience engineering by being challenged to design a catapult that launches a pompom. Students work in teams, and each team is handed a “Mystery Bag” that contains simple everyday products. Youth must design their catapult prior to construction. Teams will test their catapults as a large group. Reflection includes what was similar about the catapults, what materials were used, and how this relates to the real world.
Food For Thought
Duration: Three, 20-45 minute sessions
Food for Thought is designed to spark an interest in STEM and inspire real-world actions to help build food security on an individual and community basis.
Activities include:
- Food Fighters - Learn about the global food supply chain through this collaborative board game. Students work together to secure their town's food supply, making strategic decisions and building teamwork skills.
- Chew on This - This entrepreneurial challenge encourages students to think critically about food waste reduction. By brainstorming innovative uses for food scraps, students develop problem-solving and design thinking skills.
- Know to Grow - This hands-on engineering activity introduces students to plant science and controlled environment agriculture. Students design and build efficient growing environments, fostering an understanding of plant cultivation and its role in food security.
AgCiting Science
Duration: Lessons range from 30- 60 minutes
Dive into Nebraska agriculture through sessions that highlight livestock, natural resources, food, and plant science. A total of 3 sessions are available for selection. Youth learn about the different Nebraska agriculture crops, germination, farm to plate concepts, and the science within agriculture. You may choose one or more lessons from the list below:
- Our World: Students discover the amount of soil available to grow food and learn to identify types of basic resources and describe how humans affect our environment.
- Pizza Farm: Students explore connections between farmers, ranchers, and their favorite pizza.
- Positively Popcorn: Students will use science to learn the importance of agriculture and how popcorn goes from a seed to a snack.
Explorers of the Deep
Duration: Three, 30-45 minute sessions
Ocean exploration and research are important tools that help scientists, policy makers, communities and individuals prepare for and adapt to changing ocean conditions. Since Earth is an ocean planet, these impacts affect humans and organisms all around the world, regardless of their proximity to the ocean. The challenge activities are designed to help youth develop observational and critical thinking skills while exploring the interconnections between the ocean and humans, regardless of where they live. The activities are based on the long-standing Ocean Literacy Principles and Fundamental Concepts, developed by ocean scientists and K–12 educators in 2005.
CSI: DNA
Duration: 90 min session
Students will construct DNA and discover how DNA sequencing aids investigators in solving crimes. Students will get to extract DNA and see it with their own two eyes.
Geocache
This hands-on educational program introduces students to the exciting world of geocaching, a high-tech treasure hunt using GPS technology. The lesson promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and environmental awareness while students learn how to navigate, use GPS devices or apps, and uncover hidden caches. Perfect for STEM enrichment or outdoor learning days, this engaging activity gets students moving, thinking, and connecting with nature in a fun and educational way.
Food For Thought
Duration: Three, 20-45 minute sessions
Food for Thought is designed to spark an interest in STEM and inspire real-world actions to help build food security on an individual and community basis.
Activities include:
- Food Fighters - Learn about the global food supply chain through this collaborative board game. Students work together to secure their town's food supply, making strategic decisions and building teamwork skills.
- Chew on This - This entrepreneurial challenge encourages students to think critically about food waste reduction. By brainstorming innovative uses for food scraps, students develop problem-solving and design thinking skills.
- Know to Grow - This hands-on engineering activity introduces students to plant science and controlled environment agriculture. Students design and build efficient growing environments, fostering an understanding of plant cultivation and its role in food security.
Explorers of the Deep
Duration: Three, 30-45 minute sessions
Ocean exploration and research are important tools that help scientists, policy makers, communities and individuals prepare for and adapt to changing ocean conditions. Since Earth is an ocean planet, these impacts affect humans and organisms all around the world, regardless of their proximity to the ocean. The challenge activities are designed to help youth develop observational and critical thinking skills while exploring the interconnections between the ocean and humans, regardless of where they live. The activities are based on the long-standing Ocean Literacy Principles and Fundamental Concepts, developed by ocean scientists and K–12 educators in 2005.
CSI: DNA
Duration: 90 min session
Students will construct DNA and discover how DNA sequencing aids investigators in solving crimes. Students will get to extract DNA and see it with their own two eyes.
Food For Thought
Duration: Three, 20-45 minute sessions
Food for Thought is designed to spark an interest in STEM and inspire real-world actions to help build food security on an individual and community basis.
Activities include:
- Food Fighters - Learn about the global food supply chain through this collaborative board game. Students work together to secure their town's food supply, making strategic decisions and building teamwork skills.
- Chew on This - This entrepreneurial challenge encourages students to think critically about food waste reduction. By brainstorming innovative uses for food scraps, students develop problem-solving and design thinking skills.
- Know to Grow - This hands-on engineering activity introduces students to plant science and controlled environment agriculture. Students design and build efficient growing environments, fostering an understanding of plant cultivation and its role in food security.
Explorers of the Deep
Duration: Three, 30-45 minute sessions
Ocean exploration and research are important tools that help scientists, policy makers, communities and individuals prepare for and adapt to changing ocean conditions. Since Earth is an ocean planet, these impacts affect humans and organisms all around the world, regardless of their proximity to the ocean. The challenge activities are designed to help youth develop observational and critical thinking skills while exploring the interconnections between the ocean and humans, regardless of where they live. The activities are based on the long-standing Ocean Literacy Principles and Fundamental Concepts, developed by ocean scientists and K–12 educators in 2005.
CSI: DNA
Duration: 90 min session
Students will construct DNA and discover how DNA sequencing aids investigators in solving crimes. Students will get to extract DNA and see it with their own two eyes.
Explorers of the Deep
Duration: Three, 30-45 minute sessions
Ocean exploration and research are important tools that help scientists, policy makers, communities and individuals prepare for and adapt to changing ocean conditions. Since Earth is an ocean planet, these impacts affect humans and organisms all around the world, regardless of their proximity to the ocean. The challenge activities are designed to help youth develop observational and critical thinking skills while exploring the interconnections between the ocean and humans, regardless of where they live. The activities are based on the long-standing Ocean Literacy Principles and Fundamental Concepts, developed by ocean scientists and K–12 educators in 2005.
Emergency Preparedness: Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse
Duration: 1 hour session
Students will practice teamwork and test their skill and knowledge of emergency preparedness while learning how to prepare for a Zombie Apocalypse (or other disaster). Topics covered include flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes, making a survival plan, and sheltering in place.
Extension Office
The Extension Office Staff are here to serve you!
Use our website as a valuable resource for information on Beef Systems, Community Environment, Rural Prosperity Nebraska, Crop and water systems, Food Nutrition and Health, and The Learning Child.
Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture.
The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Open Position
4-H Educator
Sara Nelson
4-H Assistant
Joie Kendrick
4-H Aide/Office Manager
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