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4-H In-School Enrichment in James City brings hands-on, research-based learning directly into classrooms through partnerships between Virginia Cooperative Extension and local schools. 4-H works with teachers and school staff to provide engaging programs that complement classroom instruction and Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs). Experiences can be offered as one-time activities or multi-session programs in areas such as STEM, agriculture, healthy living, leadership, and civic engagement.
Below are some of the examples of previous programs for examples. For further information on specific program offerings, contact Isaiah Morton, James City County 4-H Agent, at ikmorton@vt.edu.
Examples of JCC 4-H Programming
Examples of JCC 4-H Programming
Through 2–3 in-classroom visits and our 4-H curriculum with engaging activities, including a hands-on candling demonstration, for about 21 days, students observe chick development while exploring scientific investigation (LS.1), cells and development (LS.2), reproduction and genetics (LS.10), and related life processes. Students collect observations and data as they follow the journey from fertilized egg to hatch!
4-H Health Rocks is a multi-visit classroom program focused on healthy decision-making, positive relationships, peer pressure and refusal skills, and preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Lessons reinforce Virginia Health and Physical Education SOLs, particularly Essential Health Concepts, Healthy Decisions, and Advocacy & Health Promotion, while building practical skills youth can apply at school, home, and in their communities.
Reality Fair/Kids Marketplace
Reality Fair/Kids Marketplace
4-H Financial Simulations such as Reality Fair and Kids Marketplace bring Economics & Personal Finance concepts to life through hands-on, real-world decision-making. Students practice managing income, developing a budget, navigating living expenses, weighing needs and wants, and making informed financial choices—reinforcing Virginia SOL connections to consumer skills (EPF.10), living expenses (EPF.11), income and taxes (EPF.15), and personal financial planning and budgeting (EPF.16).
4-H Pollinator Education provides hands-on exploration of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and their importance to agriculture and the environment. Youth investigate pollination, plant anatomy, life cycles, habitats, adaptations, and connections between pollinators, ecosystems, and our food supply. Activities reinforce Virginia Science SOLs, particularly Scientific & Engineering Practices (EC.1), biodiversity and biotic relationships (EC.2), and adaptations and ecological relationships (EC.6), while introducing careers in entomology, ecology, horticulture, agriculture, and other life sciences.
Robotics & Coding
Robotics & Coding
4-H Robotics & Coding brings computer science and engineering to life through hands-on experiences with LEGO Robotics, Ozobots, Cubelets, Makeblock robots, and coding activities. Students build, program, test, troubleshoot, and improve their creations while strengthening computational thinking, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. Activities reinforce Virginia Computer Science SOLs, particularly Algorithms & Programming and Computing Systems, including sequencing, loops, conditional logic, sensors, inputs/outputs, and the iterative design process.
STEM Building Challenges
STEM Building Challenges
Through 4-H Discover Boxes, National 4-H STEM Challenge Kits, Junk Drawer Robotics, and other activities, teams of youth design beaver-inspired dams, build floating duct tape boats, construct Pumpkin Chunkin’ catapults, explore energy transformation with the Spin Art Bike, and more. These flexible, one-time lessons reinforce Virginia Science SOLs, particularly Scientific & Engineering Practices (such as ENV.1), as youth define problems, develop and test solutions, analyze results, use models, and improve their designs through teamwork and problem-solving.
Mobile Life Science Learning Lab
Mobile Life Science Learning Lab
Virginia 4-H Mobile Life Sciences Learning Lab is an interactive, state-of-the-art classroom inside a tractor-trailer that brings hands-on health and life science education directly to schools. Funded through a grant from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, the Lab engages K–5 youth through six interactive learning modules. These experiences introduce students to scientific tools, inquiry, and real-world applications while helping young learners explore STEM and life science career pathways and envision themselves as the scientists of tomorrow. As often as possible, we schedule the Mobile Lab at a central school/community location for students to walk/take a bus to the lab for their respective time slot. This can also be a visiting tool during your STEM Fairs or PTA nights!
SO IS THAT ALL?
SO IS THAT ALL?
The answer is NO! Your 4-H Agent has access to the resources of the larger nationwide 4-H network and Cooperative Extension research to help find something that may better fit what you're looking for in your classroom environment. Submit a Meeting Request or select Detailed Listing to see more options of what we can provide for your students.
Interested in a 4-H program for your school? 4-H programs require aggregate data collection (approved by WJCC Central Office) and may include pre- and post-surveys to measure educational impact. Photo/video permissions may also be needed. Please allow adequate planning time, and submit requests for one-time programs at least two weeks in advance.
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