This highly engaging, flexible (1-4 class
periods), inquiry-based curriculum module was developed by
researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill as well as teachers and other
educational consultants. Materials and lessons are adapted for
use in a middle school science classroom, aligned with the
National Science Education Standards (NSES) and are based on
current research relevant to a life-science curriculum. All
kits are FREE and include guided teacher instructions for
implementation, data tables and background materials, a video
with guided lab instruction and background on FAS, a CD-ROM
with all hardcopy materials and a post-assessment game, color
transparencies, brochures, and ordering information for an
accompanying hands-on experiment involving varying
concentration levels of ethanol and the growth and development
of brine shrimp. All components are available for current
download, and will soon be made available for shipment through
Carolina Biological Supply Company. The complete curriculum can
be accessed at http:
//pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Science/curriculum.html
Four-H will be represented on the Helping
America’s Youth Community Assessment Tool Federal
Interagency Working Group as part of a White House effort to
address the needs of youth at risk for engaging in behaviors
such as delinquency, violence, school dropout, substance abuse,
etc. For six months, a team has worked on the development of a
new community assessment guide and program tool which was announced at the White House Conference on Helping
America’s Youth at the end of October.
The website features a database of
effective programs that can be searched by risk factor or
protective factor. There is an open call (no deadline) to
submit programs for review and inclusion in this database. It
would be great to get some 4-H and Extension youth development
and family programs into this database. For more information
about how to submit a program, please see the following webpage:
http:
//www.helpingamericasyouth.gov/programtool-nominate.htm
A few counties have had designated
accounts for many years, but most counties have not taken
advantage of these 4-H Foundation accounts.. Beginning this
fall, the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation will establish a designated
account for each county 4-H program. Individuals or groups that
choose to contribute to these county accounts may do so by
simply indicating they prefer to support that specific county
program. We will provide educators with an annual update on the
balance in their county account, or you can ask about the
balance any time by email or phone call. The funds will be
available for the Extension educator to request in support of
educational programs, scholarships for events, leader training,
etc. Our recent mailing to past donors and supporters included
this option, so we may begin adding to these new county
accounts in the next few weeks. If you have questions, please
give me a call.
Those of you embarking on youth-led
community service type projects might be interested in
exploring these grant opportunities to cover some of your
project expenses. Note the December and January deadlines. I do
not have any additional information on these opportunities, so
please check their
website if you have questions.
Lynda Harriman
1). DISNEY MINNIE GRANTS (Open to
applicants from the US and from other countries)
Youth Service America and Disney are
offering the Disney Minnie Grants for youth across the globe.
These grants of $500 are for youth (ages 5-14), or the
teachers, schools and organizations that engage them to
implement service projects on National & Global Youth
Service Day, April 21-23, 2006. To learn more, please download
an application and Frequently Asked Questions at http:
//www.ysa.org/awards. After
reviewing the application and FAQ's, if you would like further
information, please email: MinnieGrant@ysa.org. POSTMARK DEADLINE: January 13, 2006.
2). YSA YOUTH VENTURE Funding (Open to US
applicants only)
Get up to $1,000 in start-up funds for
sustainable National and Global Youth Service Day (N&GYSD)
projects by becoming a YSA Youth Venturer. Youth Service
America (YSA) and Youth Venture are teaming up again to make
every day National & Global Youth Service Day. We are
giving young people the opportunity to create sustainable
projects for N&GYSD 2006, April 21-23! Twenty five awards
of up to $1,000 in start-up funds are available to young people
(ages 12-20) who want to create new, sustainable and
civic-minded organizations, clubs or businesses
("Ventures"). These Ventures must be youth-led and
designed to be a lasting asset to the community. YSA Youth
Venturers are required to host an event on N&GYSD. For
further information or to download an application, visit www.youthventure.org/ysa or email
amutima@youthventure.org. Applications must be RECEIVED by 12:00 noon on
December 19th, 2005.
"A Bag of Tricks" is the theme
of the 2006 State Leadership Development Conference being
planned by the State 4-H Volunteer Board. The conference will
focus on tricks of the trade as they relate to 4-H Projects,
Project Planning (beginning, intermediate and advance levels),
Life Skills Development and hands-on programs and activities.
Lola Thompson
State Volunteer President
The State 4-H Volunteer Board extends an
invitation to county educators, paraprofessionals and
volunteers to present a workshop at the 2006 Leadership
Development Conference being held in Stillwater, July 22, 2006.
The proposal form is attached to this Focus on Youth or may be accessed on
line at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm. The volunteer board encourages staff and
volunteers to submit workshop proposals by January 16, 2006.
The board would like to have the conference program ready to
distribute by May 1.
Liz Taylor
State Volunteer Board Vice President
4-H members, volunteers and families from
across the state will have the opportunity to learn about
science by camping in at the Oklahoma City Omniplex February
3-4. Four-H’ers can explore the spectacular science
exhibits, see stunning scientific demonstrations, travel to the
planets and beyond in planetarium shows, and sleep in
unimaginable places, like under a dinosaur, in a giant mouth or
next to a tornado.
Please note: This year’s camp in is
open to all ages. Bring your 4-H group or 4-H families, the
choice is yours. This change is due to requests made by older
4-H members with interest in science. We are still waiting on
the Omniplex to give us a selection of themes for this
year’s camp in. I will send it out as soon as we receive
the information. The registration fee and the schedule are the
same as last year.
Fees:
Youth (any age) $27.50
Adults $15.00
Due January 25, 2006
Attached is a flyer promoting our first 4-H Science Leadership
Conference. This conference is designed for teens and adults
(and educators) who have an interest in science and technology
4-h projects. Our hope is that following the training, the
participants will return to the county and begin science and
technology project clubs. This year’s conference will
consist of three tracks; Biotechnology, Precision Agriculture
and Geology. The attached flyer contains more details.
I hope you will consider promoting this
within your county. The end result will be more project clubs,
which is good for all of us.
Nos. 728-729—Swine and Dairy Wall
Posters ($2 ea.) are available by calling 405-744-8887. Opening
4-H website (links); OSU; Animal Science Breeds; Breeds of all
animals are alphabetized at bottom of page to view or print.
Whole Cloth and Fabric for 4-H Project
Fabric and Fashions can be printed from 4-H website; Project
Links; Open Smithsonian website “Textiles &
Quilts.”
Health and Food Project—Go to 4-H
website; Science & Technology Link; open Bio-Tech
Activities.
Nos. 196, 197, Ldr Guide—Visual Arts
Manuals (.25 cents ea.) provide information about leathercraft,
ceramics, pottery, needlework, etc.
A literature order form will be sent to
Oklahoma Counties in January, 2006, listing 4-H
publications shelved at University Mailing Services, project
material on 4-H website, fact sheets on POD/OSUExtra to print
from website or to order in bulk from Cooperative Extension
Duplicating Services.
Oklahoma counties may print from the
website and will save county shelving space, provide
publications easily, and originals can be kept in county files
to duplicate per county need. Counties can print off the
material that would be useful for beginners, intermediate,
advanced 4-H youth. OECS fact sheets can be ordered, printed,
and used for upper intermediate and advanced 4-H youth.
Four-H projects such as Personal
Development, Geology, 4-H Shooting Sports (Ldr) can be
available for 2006 State Fairs. These items are in process of
being reviewed and put on 4-H website. In the meantime, call
405-744-8887 or email Rosalyn
Weston, and county will be sent
a duplicated copy to use in preparing 4-H county and state fair
projects. Counties will want to file reference copies of
project material during this transition from shelved material
to publications transferred to 4-H website. What is not listed
in the order form, POD, OSUExtra, shelved at University
Mailing, or county reference copies used within a
reasonable amount of time will not be valid material for
projects unless okayed by district and state 4-H offices.
Sometimes a piece of literature is excellent reference material
when updating a publication but not eligible until updated for
4-H projects.
No. 903—TJ Refill Kit and No.
907—TJ Program Kit are available to order (no charge).
Please order by January 31, 2006, or the material will need be
recycled from the University Mailing shelf.
