Teen Conference Workshops

Table of Contents

Teen conference workshops are listed below the schedule with their descriptions. Workshops are filled based on first come, first served by registration date.

Workshop #1 – Tuesday, June 23rd, 9:00 am – 9:50 am

Growing Your Future: Careers in Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agriculture and natural resources play a major role in our lives, from the food we eat to the environment we live in. Careers in this field go beyond being a farmer, and are more diverse than you might expect. In this interactive workshop, teens will explore the wide range of career pathways in agriculture and natural resources, including food systems, environmental conservation, agricultural technology, business, and more. Hands-on activities and exposure to real-world scenarios will allow participants to connect their interests with future careers and map out the education and skills they’ll need to find their dream job.

Dementia Friends Info Session

Dementia Friends is a public awareness and social action initiative developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK and is now across the county and University of Washington holds the license for Dementia Friends in Washington. The Mason County 4-H Tech ChangeMakers are Dementia Friend Champions and have been teaching Dementia Friends Info sessions since early 2026, included at Ignite 2026. In total the Mason County 4-H Tech ChangeMakers have taught 88 people who have become Dementia Friends including middle and high school aged people through older adults!

College Prep

College Prep – This workshop, with the director of retention and recruitment for WSU CAHNRS, will cover all aspects of applying to and preparing for college including: admissions, applications, scholarships, financial aid, exploring different majors and advising.

Fashion Croquis Mastery: From Sketch to Style

Fashion Croquis Mastery: From Sketch to Style – Unlock your creative potential in Fashion Croquis Mastery: From Sketch to Style, hosted at the Johnson Hall Annex by the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles. This entry-level workshop introduces the essential 9-head croquis technique, teaching you the industry-standard proportions needed to build a professional fashion figure from scratch.

AgRobotics

This workshop is two consecutive sessions! If you sign up for this workshop, you should also choose AgRobotics for Workshop #2.

Participants will be given a scenario and then work as teams to build robots that perform specific agriculture related tasks. We will use Lego Spike robotics kits to build and program our robots.

Latin Dances

The Juntos 4-H youth from Whatcom County will be doing a workshop on some known Latin dances. We will be teaching about the various dances of Latin American region as well as how to dance a few of them. Participants will learn to do some basic steps to dance cumbia, bachata and other dances.

Ferdinand’s Flavor Challenge

Put your food/agriculture knowledge and creativity to work as you design an original ice cream or cheese flavor built around Washington-grown ingredients and WSU tradition. Bring your boldest ideas to life as you sketch, name, and pitch a Ferdinand’s-worthy concept that shows how agriculture fuels the foods we love.

From 4-H Record Books to Professional Purpose: Designing a Career that Serves

This interactive workshop uses the familiar 4-H Record Book as a lens to explore how youth can intentionally design careers rooted in their strengths, values, and community needs. The presenter shares her journey from an 8-year 4-H member from rural Washington to a pharmacist and educator, highlighting how leadership, public speaking, goal setting, and reflection developed through Record Books translated to college and career success. She will also share how earning a Spanish degree alongside a science education was a purposeful decision to better serve Spanish-speaking patients in rural communities. Teens will engage in guided reflection and small-group activities to explore future pathways.

You’re the First Responder?!

You’re the First Responder?! – The average person experiences at least two critical incidents in their lifetime. Are you prepared? This scenario-based workshop will help you prepare for the possibility that you are involved in a crisis situation. We will discuss important considerations for a variety of situations like: communication, awareness of surroundings, controlling your breathing and skills you can learn ahead of an incident. Being prepared to act just might help you save a life!

Workshop #2 – Tuesday, June 23rd, 10:10 am-11:00 am

Taking Your Communication Skills to the Next Level

This interactive workshop starts with a pair experience of having on person draw a diagram while the other person describes what they should be drawing as they are back to back. The exercise (in two rounds) explores the importance of active listening. Students will then learn about common listening blocks, reflect on which listening blocks they experience and practice active listening in a pair share. The session ends with a reflection on their goals for taking their communication to the next level to impact their academics, social and family life.

Repro Ready

In this lesson, we will explore the basics of artificial insemination (AI) in livestock—a, safe, and efficient method to improve genetics without keeping a live bull. Students will learn the pros and cons of AI, and the basics of how the procedure works. You will model the cow’s reproductive system using candy to visualize the anatomy. Finally, you will evaluate if AI is right for you, weighing the costs of training and semen against benefits like superior genetics and better calving schedules. Maturity Notice: This class discusses animal anatomy, reproduction, and biological procedures, which may be sensitive to some students. Know yourself when deciding if you can take this seriously.

SMART Steps to Success

This workshop helps you take your big ideas and turn them into goals you can actually achieve. You’ll learn what makes a goal SMART — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound — and practice writing one that fits your real life. Through quick activities, examples, and partner work, you’ll walk away with a goal you’re excited about and a plan to make it happen.

What’s for Dinner?

What’s for Dinner? – Insects are an important source of protein and micronutrients for most animals. About 80% of the world’s cultures consume insects as a protein source such as termites in Africa and wasp larvae in Asia. This workshop will explore insects as a viable food source for humans and for domesticated animals such as chickens and fish. Participants will explore insects and insect products that they are already eating as well as have the chance to sample insects in new ways.

AgRobotics

This workshop is two consecutive sessions! If you sign up for this workshop, you should also choose AgRobotics for Workshop #1.

Participants will be given a scenario and then work as teams to build robots that perform specific agriculture related tasks. We will use Lego Spike robotics kits to build and program our robots.

Latin Dances

The Juntos 4-H youth from Whatcom County will be doing a workshop on some known Latin dances. We will be teaching about the various dances of Latin American region as well as how to dance a few of them. Participants will learn to do some basic steps to dance cumbia, bachata and other dances.

Ferdinand’s Flavor Challenge

Put your food/agriculture knowledge and creativity to work as you design an original ice cream or cheese flavor built around Washington-grown ingredients and WSU tradition. Bring your boldest ideas to life as you sketch, name, and pitch a Ferdinand’s-worthy concept that shows how agriculture fuels the foods we love.

From Data to Decisions: Exploring Careers in Weather, Data and Sustainable Agriculture

In this interactive workshop, participants will explore how weather data is collected and used to support real-world decisions in agriculture and sustainability. Presenters will introduce weather stations and demonstrate how sensors collect data in the field, while also highlighting how that data is processed and used for decision-making. Participants will engage in a short, guided activity using simple weather information to make a real-world decision (e.g., frost risk or irrigation). The session will highlight diverse career pathways and help participants connect their interests in science, technology, and the environment to future opportunities.

You’re the First Responder?!

The average person experiences at least two critical incidents in their lifetime. Are you prepared? This scenario-based workshop will help you prepare for the possibility that you are involved in a crisis situation. We will discuss important considerations for a variety of situations like: communication, awareness of surroundings, controlling your breathing and skills you can learn ahead of an incident. Being prepared to act just might help you save a life!

Workshop #3 – Wednesday, June 25, 9:00 am-9:50 am

Bats of Washington

For those of you who went on the Bat Lab tour and were disappointed to find baseball bats instead of actual bats – this one is for you! This workshop is all about bats – the animal. Participants will learn all about the bats found here on the Palouse and across Washington, study their differences using museum specimens, discriminate between fact and myth, and learn what to do if you find a bat around your home.

Picture This: Drama Activities for Better Speaking

Have fun while we use various drama games and improvisation to learn how to be more expressive and effective communicators. In this workshop you will use your body and voice to help convey your messages. You will also learn more about the power of non-verbal communication.

College Prep

This workshop will cover all aspects of applying to and preparing for college including: admissions, applications, scholarships, financial aid, exploring different majors and advising.

Hearts of Livestock Animals

In this workshop, we will give a brief talk on the general aspects of the mammalian heart, including the events that occur during an individual heartbeat and a quick discussion of resting heart rates in different mammals (i.e., from a mouse to a blue whale). We will then encourage the students to view and handle the hearts on exhibition. If a student desires, we can talk briefly about how a stethoscope works and then allow them to hear their own heartbeat.

STEM In Fashion

Design it. Print it. Take it home! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll create a custom pencil pouch and coaster while discovering how STEM concepts like heat and design power sublimation printing. No experience needed—just come ready to create.

Making Sense of Your Food

This hands-on workshop explores how your senses impact your food preferences. Participants will perform several activities that highlight the importance of the senses when creating dishes. We will finish with a cupcake decorating and photography contest “Which cupcake looks the tastiest?”

Parliamentary Procedure for Teens: Speak Up, Decide Fairly

This interactive workshop introduces teens to the basics of parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order as used in 4-H clubs and other youth organizations. Participants will learn why parliamentary procedure matters, practice using common motions, and build confidence speaking up during meetings. Through discussion, motion-matching activities, and a guided mock meeting, youth will apply skills in realistic scenarios. The session focuses on practical use, leadership development, and helping clubs run meetings that are fair, efficient, and inclusive.

From Interest to Internship: Turning Passion into Experience

This workshop will introduce students to internships and how they can support personal and academic goals. Participants will learn how internships build real-world skills, deepen career exploration, and strengthen college and job applications. We will cover where to find opportunities, how to apply, and what creates a strong first impression. Students will also explore ways to turn their interests into meaningful experiences, even without prior work history. By the end, workshop attendees will have a clearer understanding of internships and feel prepared to take the next steps toward their own growth.

Journey to the Internet

WSU, like most large institutions, uses many kinds of equipment to connect everyone on campus to the internet, and a lot of these devices are the same ones that connect your home to the internet as well. To understand how your home connects to the internet we will be touring WSU’s networking facilities and discussing all the different ways that homes and businesses connect to the internet. When we are done you will understand how networks are built and have a basic understanding of how to get to the internet!

Workshop #4 – Wednesday, June 25, 10:10 am – 11:00 am

Times of Change: Play to the Strengths of Others

Times of Change: Play to Your Strengths and Others – This interactive workshop starts with a quick introduction to personality types and encourages students to consider they comfort with change and what they need as they go through a change or transition. This workshop features William Bridges’ work on Transitions and the human aspects of change.

Drone Use in Agriculture

In this workshop, a WSU Extension Agronomist will show students how he uses new technology, like drones, to help research crop production here on the Palouse.

Learning Personality Types for Relationship-based Careers

Learn key personality types/colors and gain a better understanding of others as well as yourself. Knowing how to recognize a person’s color and being aware of yourself will help you react appropriately and can improve interactions, reduce conflict and improve interpersonal skills. This awareness of where people are coming from is helpful in relationship driven careers such as sales, teaching, public service etc. This workshop will also give an example of what it was like to be in Ag Sales and give tips on how to prepare for this type of career.

Picture it from the Ground Up

Do you want to help your group create a successful project together but everybody seems to be going in their own direction? How do we make sure everyone is being heard? How do we hold space for everyone’s ideas? How do we decide which ideas to advance vs. which ones to postpone? How do we share the effort in ways that help us build skills while giving our own personal best? We are going to explore how to lead collaborative team projects together.

No Stress, Just Success: Teen Survival Skills for School and Beyond

Learn how to take control of your school life—without the stress. In this interactive workshop, teens will discover simple, practical strategies to stay on top of assignments, never miss important dates, and understand how school and college systems actually work. We’ll also break down how to write clear, confident emails to teachers and faculty (a skill most students wish they had sooner). Plus, you won’t just sit and listen—you’ll take part in a fun, hands-on word association activity designed to boost communication and quick thinking. Walk away feeling more organized, more confident, and ready to succeed.

Making Sense of Your Food

Making Sense of Your Food – This hands-on workshop explores how your senses impact your food preferences. Participants will perform several activities that highlight the importance of the senses when creating dishes. We will finish with a cupcake decorating and photography contest “Which cupcake looks the tastiest?”

Building Your Personal Statement or Scholarship Essay

This interactive workshop will help youth learning formatting rules, tips and tricks for crafting a great essay for a college or scholarship application. Participants will leave with a draft outline template and tools that they can use to create any college or scholarship essays they may need in the future!

An Introduction to the Know Your Government 4-H Conference

This interactive workshop introduces youth to local government and public finance while previewing the Know Your Government Conference experience. Participants will explore how cities and counties function, where local government funding comes from, and how public dollars impact services like schools, roads, and public safety. Teens will engage in hands-on activities, small-group discussions, and real-world scenarios to better understand decision-making at the local level. The workshop will also highlight what participants do at Know Your Government, opportunities for leadership, and how to get involved in February 2027.

Credit Score Millionaire: Can You Beat the Game?

Credit Score Millionaire is an interactive game that shows how your everyday credit decisions can shape your future opportunities. It lets you experience the real impact of things like credit reports, FICO scores, and the costs of poor credit in a fun, game‑show style format. Youth can challenge themselves or friends while learning how smart financial choices set them up for long‑term success.