Ohio 4-H youth development is a crucial launchpad for future researchers, scientists, farmers and agricultural experts. When it comes to the weather, 4-H is helping today’s climate-smart youth solve tomorrow’s weather-related challenges.
As part of their 4-H project experience, 4-H members can choose to complete a self-determined project guide in which they choose a topic based on their interests, assemble their learning experiences and associated activities as indicated in the guide, and submit for project review. With climate-related self-determined project guides, youth engage with environmental science and build a powerful foundation of STEM skills that could one day lead them to an exciting career, starting with a major at Ohio State.
As part of the self-determined project guides, idea starters can bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application. Idea starters are not prescriptive curriculum; they are springboards for passion. They offer a brief background and broad activity suggestions for youth who want to dive deep into topics such as climate change, 3D printing and model railroading, to name a few. This self-directed learning empowers 4-H members to take charge of their interests.
The Climate Change idea starter offers suggestions for creating a travel brochure highlighting different U.S. climates or designing a personal weather data table.
Idea starters are a testament to Ohio State’s collaborative research power. For example, the Climate Change idea starter was authored by the outreach team at Ohio State’s Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center — including CFAES’ Aaron Wilson — with content review and production by OSU Extension.
With both self-determined project guides and idea starters, 4-H youth develop critical thinking and documentation skills, preparing for research and technical majors like atmospheric science, environmental economics and agricultural engineering at CFAES.
By connecting these hands-on experiences to the real-world issues of agricultural resilience and community preparedness, Ohio 4-H and CFAES are helping young people take charge of their interests and chart a course toward a fulfilling, weather-related career.