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Benton County 4-H

photo: 4-H.org maintained by National 4-H Council. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA. (Cropped from original)
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4-H Wildlife Stewards Classroom Program

Please note is program is on hold due to lack of faculty. Please check back to see when it will be available again.

Join the 4-H Wildlife Stewards Classroom Program!

The 4-H Wildlife Steward Program works closely with classroom teachers throughout the year to support students in meeting learning standards through engagement in hands-on natural science learning outside the classroom door. Students study local ecology, utilizing field equipment to collect data, make observations and record findings utilizing a field journal. All activities promote and reinforce science practices learned inside the classroom. Through the program students have the opportunity to prepare and share research and give a presentation at the annual 4-H Wildlife Stewards Summit (youth conference).

Participating teachers report, “This program builds skills in research, expository writing, technology, presentation and speech standards”, “This program makes science come alive for my students”.

Please note is program is on hold due to lack of faculty. Please check back to see when it will be available again.

Enrollment Benefits for the Teacher and Students Include:

  • Teachers—twice-yearly fall/spring professional development workshops
  • Mini-grants – $200/school, available to 4-H Wildlife Stewards enrolled teachers – contact us for a form
  • Access to over 30 outdoor learning kits and curriculum
  • Classroom support for Oregon Season Tracker Citizen Science Program, a real-world science project tracking precipitation and plant phenology (seasonal changes)
  • Outdoor classroom learning sessions are provided by OSU Extension Benton County 4-H staff.

A Year of Activities:

  • FALL is “Learn Outdoors Month”.
  • WINTER - Student participation in the 4-H Field Journal Expo
  • SPRING - Student participation in the 4-H Wildlife Steward Summit
  • SUMMER - Four Rivers 4-H Camp and 4-H Wildlife Stewards Summer Camp at Oregon 4-H Center, scholarships available.
photo Jody Einerson (Cropped from original)

October is “Learn Outdoors” Month

Some ideas for Learning Outdoors Month:

  • Introduce field journaling and practice recording your observations—we have materials to get you started
  • Collect fall leaves and borrow our Loupes kit (classroom set) to get a closer look.
  • Go on a nature scavenger hunt - and start exploring your schoolyard ecosystem
  • Sign up for a trip to Peavy Arboretum and go on a “McDonald Forest Epic Adventure” - limited space

Teaching Kits

From “Animal Adaptations” to “Water Quality” check out over 30 outdoor teaching kits that make learning outdoors easy. Call the OSU Extension office at 541-713-5000 to reserve the kits for up to 2 weeks. See a list of the kits we have available.

4-H Wildlife Stewards Field Journal Showcase - presently on hold, please check back for future updates

Field journals are a place to document observations, develop and record science questions, and promote inquiry. Using nature field journals directly supports NGSS 8 Guiding Principles. Students can enter a journal page and get constructive feedback from a judge (field scientist) and a participation ribbon. Outstanding entries are displayed in the community during March.

4-H Wildlife Stewards Summit - presently on hold, please check back for future updates

Youth conference highlights student research on local ecology and science inquiry projects in the schoolyard or nearby natural area. Students work in teams, perform research and create an educational display or Powerpoint presentation, give an oral presentation, and receive feedback from experienced judges. Youth gain skills in presentation, teamwork, leadership, and organization. Teachers report this program helps students meet standards in science, writing, presentation, research, and more!

Contact

OSU Extension Benton County, 541-713-5000

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