Dallas Meringolo| For the Daily Commercial

The Florida 4-H youth development program offers a variety of school enrichment programs. 4-H is a non-formal, educational youth development program offered to youth ages 5-18. All 4-H programs such as clubs, residential campingand school enrichment focus on active involvement and quality experiences, which are provided by 4-H staff and volunteers. School enrichment is an essential program area that served over 6,000 students during 2019-20.

School enrichment through 4-H is an opportunity for teachers to provide fun, hands-on activities that reinforce what is being taught in the classroom. These programs are designed to supplement existing lesson plans without putting extra stress on teachers without any cost to the schools. Lake County 4-H provides 4-H Public Speaking, Embryology, Bees are the Buzz, and Water Conservation.

4-H Public Speaking:This program is designed for students in 4th-6th grade. This contest helps Lake County youth learn and practice writing and delivering a speech. This program helps build the students' self-esteem and allows them to develop and practice their communication skills. Youth who do well in the classroom advance to the school competition, and the student who wins the school competition moves on to the county level competition.

Embryology:This program is designed for students in kindergarten up to 8th grade. 4-H Embryology teaches students about the science of life. In this program, students can increase scientific processes, life sciences, teamwork, keeping records, planning, and organizing. Teachers are provided an incubator, fertilized eggs, brooder, and curriculum to help students develop an understanding of biology concepts through direct experience with living things, life cycles, and habitats.

Bees are the Buzz:This program is designed for students in kindergarten to 6th grade to teach youth the importance of honeybees and native bees. Teachers are provided resources to help teach about pollination, beekeeper careers, and bee's connection to agriculture. Activities include a multi-sensory honey-tasting activity, creating native bee houses, pollination in a bag, and a buzz boy STEM challenge.

Water Conservation:This program is designed for students in 4th-8th grade to teach students about the watershed's role and ways to conserve water. Teachers are provided a watershed demonstration kit and curriculum. This interactive experience teaches students to observe and make connections about the importance of watersheds and the factors that affect water quality.

More: 4-H empowers young people

More: Keeping fit and being mindful during a global pandemic

Youth involved in a school enrichment program are able to experience the benefits of 4-H within their classroom. Programs offered by Lake County 4-H are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in securing a school enrichment program at your school, please contact the Lake County 4-H office. Lake County 4-H Extension Agent Dallas Meringolo can discuss school enrichment options that can be used in your school.

Dallas Meringolo is the 4-H/youth development agent of the UF/IFAS Lake County Extension Office. Email her at hendersond@ufl.edu.

Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, or national origin.

Continue reading here:
From The Extension: School enrichment a focus of 4-H - Daily Commercial