Individual lessons and curricula on social and emotional skills, healthy living, college readiness, STEM and more.
Civic engagement and leadership
In this curriculum, youth explore their role as participants in a global society and are prepared to thrive in culturally-diverse settings. It is ideal for youth in grades 6-8, but can be adapted for other age groups. It is also effective as a program model.
In this lesson, youth learn about the dimensions of human identity by using props to build a likeness of Martin Luther King Jr. It is ideal for youth in grades 6-8 and is a sample from WeConnect: A Global Youth Citizenship Curriculum.
In this curriculum, youth develop the belief that college is for them (i.e. they belong) and it is within their reach. Rather than focusing on grades, ACTS, or financing, youth envision and begin to take steps toward making higher education part of their future, including relying on supports, navigating barriers, and reimagining what's possible. Ideal for grades 5 and up.
Environment and earth science
In this lesson, youth learn different categories of animal signs and how these signs relate to animal behaviors to help them identify wildlife living in their environment. Ideal for grades 3-6.
In this lesson, youth identify common bird species found in their backyard by creating a pinecone bird feeder and conducting a wildlife survey. Ideal for grades 2-4.
With this learning guide, youth can work independently to look closely at nature and make observations about the world around them. Learn how to record observations, make sketches, and employ senses beyond sight to hear, touch and smell differences in our environment. Ideal for grades 3-8.
With this independent learning guide, youth can work on their own to look at key characteristics of bees and differentiate them from a fly or wasp. They'll learn about native pollinators, focusing specifically on the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, and they'll explore native plants that benefit the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee and other pollinators. Ideal for grades 3-8.
In this lesson, youth discover nature through the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch and taste) by taking a sensory tour of nature right where they are! Ideal for grades 3-6.
This guide is designed to encourage youth exploration and understanding of Minnesota habitats and wildlife. It covers topics related to wildlife, water resources and aquatic invasive species, as well as trees and landscapes, with information and activities related to animal tracks and signs, birds, reptiles and amphibians, stormwater, ground water, aquatic invasive species, tree and lichen ID, phenology observations, and more. Designed for grades 4-6.
Expressive arts and communication
In this independent learning guide, youth work on their own to develop experience and skills in the 4-H Shop-Wood and Metal Project area while using reclaimed materials to create their very own clock. Designed for grades 3-8, this project may require adult assistance for younger youth or youth who have never used a drill or hammer.
Family and consumer science
In this curriculum, youth develop an entrepreneurial mindset, focused on using critical thinking skills to solve local and global issues. Ideal for youth in grades 5-9.
Gardening and agriculture
In this curriculum, youth explore their role as global citizens and the exciting field of agriculture as a potential career choice. Designed for youth in grades 3-8.
In this lesson, youth learn about the plant growing process and the benefits of home gardening by planting herb seeds in a hanging greenhouse they make out of a two-liter bottle. Ideal for youth in grades 3-8.
In this lesson, youth explore the importance and impact of technology in agriculture by experiencing a milking simulation, seeing how farming has changed over the last 500 years through short videos and a timeline activity, and designing preliminary solutions for agriculture challenges. Ideal for grades 3-8.
Healthy living
Social and emotional learning (SEL) helps youth to be aware of and manage emotions, work well with others and work hard when faced with challenges. This toolkit includes activities, templates and tools organized around four ways to help support staff and youth in SEL.
Icebreakers, games and reflection activities
This guide contains many ideas for icebreakers, team building challenges, and other random and fun games you can incorporate into your youth programming.
Get the curriculum
Outdoor adventures
This series of 7 independent learning guides introduces youth to the exciting world of ice fishing! The guides cover ice safety, types of lures and bait, fish species, reels and rods, being good stewards and more. Designed for youth grades 3-8 to pick up and use themselves, but it can also be used by adults to facilitate a learning experience for youth.
In this lesson, youth learn the history of cross-country skiing and how to prepare for it, and then they get outside to try it out!
Youth learn how to read a topographic map and navigate with a compass through 4 lessons on reading a topographic map, understanding the compass, using the compass in the field and navigating an orienteering course. Ideal for grades 3 and up.
In this lesson, youth learn how to be prepared with the right equipment for an outdoor adventure. Ideal for any grade level.
In this lesson, youth learn the history of snowshoes and how to use them properly to enjoy an outdoor winter hike. Ideal for any grade level.
STEM
In this lesson, youth learn about the chemical reaction between acids and bases by combining citric acid and gelatin in their mouths and by designing their own experiments. Ideal for grades 3-6.
In this lesson, youth gain an introductory understanding of how matter changes from one state to another by exploring the behavior of dry ice through dry ice tricks and making root beer. Ideal for grades 3-8.
In this lesson, youth learn about acid-base reactions and use this knowledge to test different household substances to dye eggs and observe chemical changes. Ideal for grades 3-6.
In this lesson, youth learn about two of the six simple machines—the wedge and the wheel & axle—by creating, testing and evaluating a vehicle using air to demonstrate how a wheel and axle affects the motion of an object. The lesson can be used in conjunction with the other 4 Engineering Simple Machines lesson, or by itself. Ideal for grades 3-8.
In this lesson, youth learn about two of the six simple machines—the lever and the screw—by creating and testing a model to demonstrate how motion helps a screw and a lever work. The lesson can be used in conjunction with the other 4 Engineering Simple Machines lesson, or by itself. Ideal for grades 3-8.
In this lesson, youth learn about two of the six simple machines—the lever and the pulley—and will demonstrate how a pulley can make lifting easier by building and testing a pulley system of their own. The lesson can be used in conjunction with the other 4 Engineering Simple Machines lesson, or by itself. Ideal for grades 3-8.
In this lesson, youth use information about the six simple machines to create an inclined plane and demonstrate how energy and energy transfer takes place between two objects. The lesson can be used in conjunction with the other 4 Engineering Simple Machines lesson, or by itself. Ideal for grades 3-8.
In this lesson, youth use a variety of the six simple machines to create a Rube Goldberg™ type of machine to solve a challenge. The lesson can be used as the culminating lesson from the other 4 Engineering Simple Machine lessons, or it can be used by itself. Ideal for grades 3-8.
In this lesson, youth explore the art and science of ice crystals by making ice luminaries. Ideal for grades 2+.
In this curriculum, youth explore the concepts of materials; plastics; reuse, recycle, and reduce; and the work of scientists and engineers. The curriculum set covers three grade bands: K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 and aligns with Next Generation Science Standards.
In this lesson, youth learn how matter (solid, liquid, gas) can change form by mixing two common household substances to cause a chemical reaction that creates a third substance. Ideal for grades K-6.
Youth learn to be an Environment Protector through the science of snow! In this independent learning guide, youth can work on their own to learn how to keep our environment and themselves safe this winter by experimenting with salt and snow. Ideal for grades 5-9.
Themed 4-H club agenda samples
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn about varieties of Minnesota apples.
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn about engineering design by building a spaghetti tower.
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn about crop rotation in a garden.
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn about seed germination by creating a garden in a glove.
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn about kinetic and potential energy by building a jumping machine.
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn about different uses of pumpkins by germinating their seeds.
Reviewed in 2021
This collection of resources helps youth reflect, connect and thrive while managing the effects of stress and loss. Designed for youth in grades 3-8, the guide includes:
Get the curriculum