Success StoryTrusted educational partner



Trusted educational partner

Author: Diane Kelley

Planning Unit: Kenton County CES

Major Program: Natural Resources

Plan of Work: 2021 Natural Resources Education and Technology Enhances Family Economics

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Kenton County Cooperative Extension surveyed teachers in 3 Kenton County school districts at the end of the 2019-2020 school year requesting input for 4-H natural resource school program lessons.  As a result of the surveys and discussion with local teachers even in an abbreviated in person school program year, multiple hands-on science lessons were provided to local Kenton County youth.  New lessons were written, and procedures created.  Lessons written in prior years were adapted by the 4-H agent (Kelley) practicing the University of Kentucky covid protocol guidelines.  Hands-on activities & experiments were developed to teach natural resource club 4-H members about solar energy, energy transfer, magnetic energy, and internal/external features & structures.  Additionally, the hands-on activities served as an introductory opportunity for youth to learn about completing a process.  The natural resources solar lesson included a solar house activity that was implemented rain or shine.  The solar house worksheet was developed in cooperation with a teacher from the Covington Independent School system, allowed students to develop a model and demonstrate understanding of the movement of objects in the sky (sun).   The magnets lesson included a discussion of magnetic energy and the opportunity to demonstrate processing and responding to information in different ways.  The owl pellets lesson provided the opportunity for students to demonstrate understanding and describe how animals receive information, process information, and respond.  The connections between 4-H programs and our community partners allowed 4-H to remain active with youth even though our classroom time was limited due to covid restrictions.  Principals in some schools allowed 4-H instruction to resume when in person classes resumed because of their trust in the 4-H agent and the University of Kentucky protocols.  The 4-H agent (Kelley) shared resources and met with teacher’s afterschool to review materials and lessons that teachers were permitted to share with youth when in person instruction was not allowed.  Teachers also shared lessons with youth when in person instruction was permitted but outside visitors were not permitted in schools.  4-H school program members predominately represented (275 youth) 4th grade urban and suburban youth in multicultural schools.  83% of the students attend schools with 100% free lunch program for the entire school population.  In the article “Perspectives of Hands-On Science Teaching” Haury and Rillero, note “Students in a hands-on science program will remember the material better, feel a sense of accomplishment when the task is completed, and be able to transfer that experience easier to other learning situations.”  The statement preceding demonstrates the value of 4-H natural resources lessons. During the disrupted school year caused by the pandemic the Cooperative Extension Service served as a valued educational resource for local teachers, whether they were presenting lessons in person or online.  






Stories by Diane Kelley


Kenton CES connects local community to University of Kentucky resources

Kenton CES connects local community to University of Kentucky resources

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Kenton Cooperative Extension implemented a program survey for county residents in the fall of 2018 a... Read More


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Stories by Kenton County CES


Kenton CES connects local community to University of Kentucky resources

Kenton CES connects local community to University of Kentucky resources

about 4 years ago by Diane Kelley

Kenton Cooperative Extension implemented a program survey for county residents in the fall of 2018 a... Read More


Natural Resources are important

Natural Resources are important

about 4 years ago by Diane Kelley

Kenton County Cooperative Extension surveyed teachers in 3 Kenton County school districts at the end... Read More