The Clyde York 4-H Center in Crossville, the Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greeneville, the W.P. Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia and Lone Oaks Farm in Middleton all offer school enrichment programs based in STEM education.
These programs are committed to enhancing student awareness, knowledge and appreciation of science and the natural world.
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“STEM education programs at our 4-H centers are such an incredible way for students to connect with nature while enriching their learning experiences,” says Jamie Harris, interim state 4-H program leader. “When students come to these programs, they’re fully immersed in hands-on, experiential learning that takes them out of the classroom and into the natural world.”
Reel Education at Tennessee 4-H Centers
The Clyde York 4-H Center’s Redefining Environmental Education for Life (REEL) Program offers dynamic STEM education experiences for K-12 students across public, private and homeschool settings. Several STEM principles are covered in the program, including forest ecology, water ecology, wildlife ecology, survival science, pollinators, robotics, drones, zipline engineering and many others.
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“One of the great aspects of the program is our collaboration with school educators to ensure that what students learn in the classroom is not only reinforced but also brought to life through real-world, experiential learning,” says Lacy Harnage, Clyde York 4-H center director. “It’s a great way to make learning more meaningful and exciting for the students.”
Great Explorers
The Clyde Austin 4-H Center is home to Camp Explore, which is a fun and exciting program committed to enhancing students’ appreciation for the environment. The program follows State of Tennessee science curriculum framework as well as experiential activities, cooperative learning and conflict resolution.
“By teaching and modeling good character traits while exploring our natural world, we foster stewardship to preserve the Earth for future generations,” says Scottie Fillers, Clyde Austin 4-H center director.
Walk This Way
The W.P. Ridley 4-H Center offers an outdoor education program called “Take a Walk on the Wildside.” The grade-level-appropriate, standards-based activities are for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. The activities include a hiking trail that educates about plant identification, animal habitats, the water cycle and human impact, a garden that teaches students about the life cycle, plants, and pollinators, and more.
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“The most famous study is our wildlife activities,” says Lisa Vassar, W.P. Ridley 4-H Center STEM program director. “Students can observe live animals and participate in activities to have a greater understanding of prey/predator, habitat and adaptions of various animals.”
STEM Education at Tennessee 4-H Centers
Lone Oaks Farm also offers a distinctive STEM Education program that emphasizes the importance of teaching standards-based content through immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Designed to spark curiosity and engagement, the program takes learning beyond the classroom, allowing students to connect with the natural world through outdoor, hands-on activities that bring academic concepts to life.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for us to introduce students to career exploration and expose them to pathways they may not have encountered before,” says Penny Russell, director of 4-H and youth development at Lone Oaks Farm. “Our goal is to fully immerse students in their surroundings, helping them make meaningful, real-world connections while simultaneously supporting teachers by addressing curriculum standards.”
As for the future, 4-H is always looking for ways to enhance and expand these school enrichment programs.
“We’re constantly creating new programs to keep up with the evolving needs of Tennessee’s youth,” Harris says. “Whether incorporating the latest scientific advancements, addressing emerging environmental challenges or integrating new technologies, our staff is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve.”