Extension in Your Classroom

Careers & Finance

Welcome to the Real World
Target grades: 6-12
After exploring careers and learning about managing finances, students participate in a simulation experience in which they choose a post-graduation path and see the consequences of "real world" decisions.
Suggested minimum duration: customizable

Health & Wellness

Health Rocks!
Target grades: 3-12
Students will gain life skills and decision-making development to reduce tobacco, alcohol, and e-cigarette/vaping use. The interactive lessons and the power of youth/adult partnerships help instill in participants the confidence and communication skills necessary to develop internal strength to resist risky behaviors. Additionally, lessons are included to equip youth with healthy ways to manage stress and maintain overall physical and mental health.
Suggested minimum duration: 10 sessions lasting 30-45 minutes each

4-H Cooking 101
Target grades: K-5
Learn about nutrition and healthy eating while developing basic food preparation skills by making healthy snacks and simple meals.
Suggested minimum duration: 6 sessions lasting 30-45 minutes each

Science Fun with Kitchen Chemistry
Target grades: 3-12
Your students can explore the fascinating science behind their favorite foods and embark on a journey of discovery where they'll unlock the secrets of food science through engaging experiments and hands-on activities.
Suggested minimum duration: 6 sessions lasting 30-45 minutes each

Illinois Food Challenge
Target grades: 8-12
Learn food safety, food preparation, nutrition, and kitchen safety. Then participate in a culminating team food challenge event where youth plan, prepare, and present a dish.
Suggested minimum duration: 6 sessions lasting 30-45 minutes each

Mindful Me
Target grades: K-2
Learn mindful practices that lead to improvements in managing one’s own goals, developing a sense of self, time management, stress management, emotional regulation, and mindful eating practices.
Suggested minimum duration: 6 sessions lasting 30-45 minutes each

Environment

Explore Your Environment
Target grades: K-5
Your students will learn new skills that will help them engage with the natural world in new ways. From forestry to foraging, art to astronomy, geology to weather and wildlife to plants/soils, there is something for everyone at all levels of learning.
Suggested minimum duration: 6 sessions lasting 30-45 minutes each

Positive Youth Development

Real Colors
Target grades: 5-12 & adults
The Real Colors Personality Instrument is a simple and intuitive system for identifying where you fall within four temperaments (Blue, Gold, Green, or Orange). It is an effective tool for uncovering motivators specific to each temperament, managing conflict, and improving communication skills.
Suggested minimum duration: customizable

Trauma Informed Care Approaches
Target audience: adults
Becoming "trauma-informed" means recognizing that people often have many types of trauma in their lives, and they can unintentionally be re-traumatized by well-meaning caregivers and service providers. By developing shared understanding and language, becoming aware of the prevalence of trauma, and understanding the impact of trauma, you can take an important first step in becoming a more compassionate and supportive community.
Suggested minimum duration: 4 hours for in-person or 2.5 hours for virtual

Youth Development Academy
Target audience: adults
Participants will learn the critical elements of youth development, understand the ages and stages of child development, learn how to manage groups and communicate with young people, and practice experiential learning through interactive hands-on activities.
Suggested minimum duration: customizable

Cloverbuds

Target grades: K-2
Help kids develop confidence, social skills, decision-making abilities, subject matter knowledge, and physical skills in a space that allows for and encourages creativity and play! Select a main category or select 6 different activities from different categories.
Suggested minimum duration: 6 sessions lasting 30-45 minutes each

Science and Technology

• Weather Fun
• Experimenting with the Five Senses
• Making Air Work
• Good Vibrations: The Science of Sound
• The Wonder of Water
• Bubble Mania

Community and Expressive Arts

• Planning a Community Art Exhibit
• Cloverbud Display
• Cloverbud: One-Act Play
• Home Hobbies
• Storytelling
• Sports

Healthy Lifestyles

• Fitness Fun
• Making Healthy Food Choices
• Safe at Home
• Food Fun
• Looking Your Best
• Fall Festival: A Harvest of Fun

Environmental and Earth Science

• Nature Fun
• The Problem of Pollution
• Helping Our Environment Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
• Digging Those Dinosaurs
• Habitats Are Homes
• Wildlife

Personal Development

• My Feelings
• Experiencing Disabilities
• I Am Special
• Celebrations Around the World
• Valuing Family
• Building Character

Citizenship and Civic Education

• Heart to Heart: Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Senior Living Center Residents
• Food Drive: Jumping Jack-athon
• Our Flag
• Rules and Reasons for Seasons
• Our Country
• Democracy, Voting and You

Consumerism and Family Science

• Managing Time
• Be Smart with Money
• Television: Making a Choice
• Just the Food, Facts, Ma’am
• Mall Mania and the Sharper Shopper
• Weaving and Dyeing
• Stitch It Up

Plants and Animals

• Pets
• Our Feathered Friends
• Super Seed Fun
• Ant Antics
• Bugs, Butterflies, Worms and Spiders
• Have You Eaten a Flower Today?