Virginia 4-H

4-H Curriculum Resources

Science, Engineering, and Technology

Aerospace

BulletBiotechnology

Computer

Electric Energy

Engineering Sciences

bulletSmall Engines

bulletWoodworking

Robotics

bulletScience Inquiry

The Science, Engineering, and Technology Curriculum is an increasingly important part of Virginia 4-H educational programming. The Science and Technology curriculum area covers these major areas:
  • Aerospace
  • Biotechnology
  • Computers
  • Electric Energy
  • Engineering Sciences
  • Robotics
  • Science Inquiry

Programs in each of these four areas are managed by the Science, Engineering, and Technology Curriculum Committee. Typically, the committee facilitates volunteer training sessions, contests and competitions and the development of curriculum materials.

 

Aerospace
4-H Aerospace curriculum from partnerships between Virginia 4-H and SASA are currently being explored in this program area.

Project Books
National 4-H
Project Publication Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Grades
75006 - Aerospace   Aerospace I-Pre-Flight Print1 K-12
  Aerospace II-Lift-Off Print1 3-5
    Aerospace III-Reaching New Heights Print1 6-8
    Aerospace IV-Pilot in Command Print1 9-12
Leader Guides
National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System
Project Publication Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
75006   Aerospace Group Activity Helper's Guide Print1 K-12

 

Biotechnology
National biotechnology curriculum is being explored by the Science, Engineering, and Technology Curriculum Committee. Virginia 4-H is also developing curriculum to teach youth about the growing field of biotechnology.

Your first contact for more information is: Your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office

 

Computers
Programs in computer technology are offered in this program area.

Your first contact for more information is: Your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office

 

Electric Energy

The Electric Energy Curriculum allows youth to explore electricity and magnetism. They build circuits, conduct a safety audit, and make an electric motor. Youth learn to read the nameplate on an appliance and to calculate how much the appliance will cost to operate. These lessons help youth become informed consumers of electric energy.

Your first contact for more information is: Your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office

For additional information, contact: Dr. Lori Marsh, Extension Specialist, Biosystems Engineering; Phone: 540-231-6815 Email: marshes@vt.edu

Project Books
Virginia 4-H
Project Publication Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
77001 -
Electric Energy		 442-521 Lesson 1: Static Electricity Print1 Grades 4-6
77001 -
Electric Energy		 442-522 Lesson 2: Current Electricity Print1 Grades 4-6
77001 -
Electric Energy		 442-523 Lesson 3: Electricity and Magnetism Print1 Grades 4-6
77001 -
Electric Energy		 442-524 Lesson 4: Electrical Safety Print1 Grades 4-6
77001 -
Electric Energy		 442-525 Lesson 5: Electric Teams Print1 Grades 4-6
77001 -
Electric Energy		 442-526 Lesson 6: Reading an Electric Print1 Grades 4-6
77001 -
Electric Energy		 442-527 Lesson 7: What's on A Nameplate Print1 Grades 4-6
77001 -
Electric Energy		 442-528 Lesson 8: Home Wiring Print1 Grades 4-6
4-H National Curriculum
Project   Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
77008 -
Electric Energy		   Electric 1 - Magic of Electricity Print2 Grades 4-5
77008 -
Electric Energy		   Electric 2 - Investigating Electricity Print2 Grades 6-7
77008 -
Electric Energy		   Electric 3 - Wired for Power Print2 Grades 8-9
77008 -
Electric Energy		   Electric 4 - Entering Electronics Print2 Grades 10-12
Leaders Guides
National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System
Project   Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
77008 -
Electric Energy		   Electric Helper's Guide Print2 Grades 4-12
School Enrichment (Teachers guides with lessons, suggested activities and student worksheets)
Virginia 4-H
Project Publication Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
77003 -
Electric Energy School Enrichment		 388-800 Electric Energy School Enrichment Print1   |   PDF3 9-10

Additional Resources

Workshops to introduce 4th grade teachers to the School Enrichment Curriculum can be scheduled with Dr. Lori Marsh. Funds are available to support these workshops.

Energy Kits with supplies to conduct the eight Virginia 4-H Electric Energy lessons are available in selected unit offices.

Additional Energy Education Materials available from the Virginia Energy Education Development Project. (VEED) Contact Mary Spruill PH: 703-860-5029

 

Engineering Sciences
Bicycle

Learn parts and how to inspect your bicycle, rules of the road, use of hand signals, bike maintenance and adjustments, and how to plan bicycle trips.

Your first contact for more information is: Your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office

Project Books
Virginia 4-H
Project Publication Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
78017 -
Bicycle		 388-110 Best Bicyclist on Earth Print1 9-11
78018 -
Bicycle		 388-109 Team Helmet Print1 5-8
4-H National Curriculum
Project   Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
78019 -
Bicycle		   Bicycle 1 Print2 Grades K-2
78019 -
Bicycle		   Bicycle 2 Print2 Grades 3-5
78019 -
Bicycle		   Bicycle 3 Print2 Grades 6-8
78019 -
Bicycle		   Bicycle Don't Get Stuck Fix it Video Print2 Grades K-8
Leaders Guides
4-H National Curriculum
Project   Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
78019 -
Bicycle		   Bicycle Group Activity Helper's Guide Print2 Grades K-8

 

Small Engines

Your first contact for more information is: Your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office

Project Books
4-H National Curriculum
Project   Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
78105 -
Small Engines		   Small Engines 1 - Crank It Up Print2 Grades 4-6
78105 -
Small Engines		   Small Engines 2 - Warm It Up Print2 Grades 7-9
78105 -
Small Engines		   Small Engines 3 - Tune It Up Print2 Grades 10-12
Leaders Guides
4-H National Curriculum
Project   Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
78105 -
Small Engines		   Small Engines - Group Activity Helper's Guide Print2 Grades 4-12

Woodworking

Your first contact for more information is: Your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office

Project Books
4-H National Curriculum
Project   Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
78206 -
Woodworking		   Woodworking 1 - Measuring Up Print2 Grades 4-5
78206 -
Woodworking		   Woodworking 2 - Making the Cut Print2 Grades 6-7
78206 -
Woodworking		   Woodworking 3 - Nailing it Together Print2 Grades 8-9
78206 -
Woodworking		   Woodworking 4 - Finishing Up Print2 Grades 10-12
Leaders Guides
4-H National Curriculum
Project   Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Ages
78206 -
Woodworking		   Woodworking Helper's Guide Print2 Grades 4-12

 

Robotics

Your first contact for more information is: Your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

Educational Events and Competitions

FIRST LEGO League (FLL)
FLL is an internationally organized robotics competition for teams of kids (grades 4-9) led by adult coaches. The competition was developed by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) through a partnership with the LEGO Company. While the program uses technology as the subject matter base, core missions of FLL are to develop life skills in young people and to inspire their interest in science and technology.

Starting in September , each team designs, constructs and programs a LEGO MINDSTORMS™ robot to perform a task posed by FLL as a nation-wide challenge. Teams demonstrate their robot's ability to perform the challenge in head-to-head competition at regional and statewide tournaments.

FLL dovetails nicely with the 4-H mission and delivery methods. While the program uses technology as the subject matter base, FLL shares 4-H's core mission to develop life skills in young people. FLL provides an exciting environment to learn problem solving, planning and organizing, time management, leadership, teamwork, self-esteem, communications, cooperation, sharing and many more life skills.   

The delivery method involves a small team of 6-10 youth (the club) and several adult coaches (volunteer leaders). Clubs meet on a regular basis to complete a challenge (project) in order to advance to competitions at a local and state level.

To learn more about the FLL visit these web sites:
Virginia FIRST LEGO League: http://www.ext.vt.edu/vafll/
National FLL web site: http://www.usfirst.org/jrobtcs/flego.htm

 

Science Inquiry

Your first contact for more information is: Your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office

Project Books
Virginia 4-H
Project Publication Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Grades
79501 Science Discovery1 Print1 3-6
79501   Science Discovery2 Print1 3-6
School Enrichment (Teachers guides with lessons, suggested activities and student worksheets)
Virginia 4-H
Project Publication Title Formats
Available		 Suggested
Grades
79507 388-808 Virginia 4-H School Enrichment Science Inquiry Print1   |   PDF3 4-6

   

1Available from your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.
2Payment required.
3Documents in PDF format require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open. If you do not already have the Reader installed on your computer, you can download a free copy from Adobe.
4Available from other states.
5Available as website
6Available as CD