Cracking the Science: Supplemental Lessons for Ohio 4-H ChickQuest
4-H and Youth Programming
Noelle Barnes
The Ohio State University
Cortland
Abstract
Ohio 4-H’s ChickQuest program is designed to deliver science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) content with a focus on positive youth development in the classroom. The state signature program trains educators to independently deliver the ChickQuest program in grades 3-4 using guidebooks and resources from Extension professionals. In Trumbull County, it was identified that some teachers without a background in poultry or animal sciences felt intimidated to host and teach the program. This sparked a conversation of how this program could be altered to better serve local districts. In 2017, a decision was made to create and pilot interactive, supplementary lessons, to be taught by a 4-H professional. Four, 45-60 minute lessons were created that focus on the following: pre-Chick Quest trivia and program introduction, chicken lifecycle and embryonic development, chicken breeds, egg candling, and post-hatch care. The lesson format includes PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, videos, demonstrations, and hands on STEM activities. The lessons are tailorable to grades K-4. Being present in the classroom has allowed the opportunity to teach, support, build relationships, and ease staff doubts, helping teachers to confidently host the program. Currently, the Trumbull County ChickQuest program has a 100% retention rate of school districts involved. One educator wrote, “As an educator for over 27 years, this has been something I wanted to do my entire career but never came upon the opportunity. The students really enjoyed learning the vocabulary. They loved the hands-on experience.” The goal of these lessons is to expand school participation, providing more youth with learning opportunities about chicken embryology, husbandry, and animal agriculture. The program has grown from a single classroom of 25 students in 2017 to a projected reach of 13 districts and 38 classrooms in Trumbull County, impacting over 800 youth.
Authors: Noelle Barnes, Ashlee Meardith
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Noelle Barnes Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources and 4-H Youth Development, Ohio State University Extension, Ohio, 44410
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Ashlee Meardith Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development , Ohio State University Extension, Ohio, 44410