When youth choose to explore healthy living projects, they open the door for opportunities to form new healthy habits.
Youth involved in baking projects learn how to sift, measure, and mix their way to successful and delicious baked goods!
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn to read and follow recipes
- Accurately measure ingredients with the appropriate tools
- Explore baking ingredients, as well as different kitchen equipment and techniques
- Understand baking terminology, such as folding, cutting, and sifting
4-H Baking Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Learn how and why quick bread recipes are so tasty as you bake your way through updated activities. See what makes a wheat kernel tick and learn how the quick bread ingredients react with one another. You’ll also explore careers in the kitchen, and learn how to alter a recipe for more healthful benefits. Includes gluten-free recipes.
4-H Cake Decorating Digital Download
This manual helps you practice techniques and skills used to create beautiful, edible masterpieces! From piping techniques, to icing and cake recipes, find out how fondant, buttercream, pillars, and boards are involved in the process. Learn the supplies and tools of the trade to help decorate your bakes, and find helpful advice on leveling up both your cakes, and decorating skills.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
- C1099E – 4-H Food Activity Worksheet
- C0889E – Bread Baking Record
- C1132E – Specialty Baking Powder/Baking Soda Bread Products Score Card
- EM3443E – Dinner is Served: An Etiquette Guide
A publication with illustrations all about the etiquette for informal and formal dinners.
Publication on: preparing dishes to wash, how to wash, rinse, and finish plus cleanup jobs after washing the dishes.
For adult helpers and club leaders
- C1098E – 4-H Food Activity Scoresheet
- C1097E – 4-H Food Activity Scoresheet Evaluation Criteria
- State Foods & Nutrition Project Resources
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Washington Specific Reference Material
Contains recipes for basic biscuits, muffins, pancakes, cookies, and pizza.
Other Reference Material
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Baking with Kids: An Age-by-Age Guide to Kitchen Skills
Teaching kids to bake? Author Deanna F. Cook says one way to keep the rewards sweet is by giving them kitchen tasks they can master at every age, from toddler to tween.
Baking with Kids – Bob’s Red Mill
There’s no better way to inspire a lifelong love of cooking and enjoying nutritious recipes in your little ones than by baking with kids.
The wonderful thing about doing so is that there’s no need to involve hot stoves or difficult-to-handle ingredients. Everyone can have their own distinct job and siblings can work together to stir, measure and pour. Not only is baking with kids a fun activity, but it helps with math, reading and motor skills, too.
Before we dive into baking recipes for kids, let’s cover some tips that will help everyone (mom and dad included) keep things clean, organized and fun in the kitchen.
The 4-H Cooking project goes beyond just navigating a kitchen, teaching youth about nutrition, food science, food safety, and STEM skills. It encourages creativity and problem solving while also teaching youth to make a nutritious, delicious meal!
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn the basics of cooking, including learning how to use basic kitchen tools and knife safety
- Understand how to assemble a meal
- Discover the STEM skills applicable to cooking
- Make a meal on their own or with an adult helper
4-H Cooking Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Among other topics, youth learn how to use MyPlate, avoid spreading germs while cooking, measure and mix ingredients, test baked goods for doneness, brown meat, and set the table for a family meal.
The curriculum comes as loose-leaf paper to make it easier for youth to pull out recipes. Purchase a binder to store the manual!
Make sure your cooking area is ready with this checklist (PDF)of recommended items.
Topics include understanding and preventing foodborne illnesses, thawing frozen foods, proper knife techniques, how to read Nutrition Facts labels, and how to make soups, rice, pasta, and other foods.
The curriculum comes as loose-leaf paper to make it easier for youth to pull out recipes. Purchase a binder to store the manual!
See Cooking 101 for a checklist of recommended items needed for the Cooking series. The list contains the basics that will be used for Cooking 101, and it’s a great starting point for the items needed in the other levels. Start with this list and then add the specialty items you need depending on the topic, such as cake pans, candy thermometers, electric grills, etc.
Youth practice making bread, grilling meats, vegetables, and fruit, and making butter. Youth learn about yeast, gluten, and different types of fats.
The curriculum comes as loose-leaf paper to make it easier for youth to pull out recipes. Purchase a binder to store the manual!
Youth learn about herbs and spices and how to make ethnic foods. Youth also practice making cakes, candy, pastries, and pies.
The curriculum comes as loose-leaf paper to make it easier for youth to pull out recipes. Purchase a binder to store the manual!
The Helper’s Guide provides best practices for a 4-H cooking club, learning objectives for cooking projects, and additional activities.
iCook: Cooking, Eating, & Playing Together Digital Download
iCook 4-H is a program about cooking, eating and playing together for 9-10 year old youth and the adult who prepares their meals. It is designed for out-of-school settings with the goal of promoting healthful lifestyles.
Are you ready to do fun experiments, prepare flavor-filled recipes, and go on fact-finding missions? That’s what “Fantastic Foods” is all about. You’ll have fun learning about different food ingredients, food characteristics, and food safety issues.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
A publication with illustrations all about the etiquette for informal and formal dinners.
Publication on: preparing dishes to wash, how to wash, rinse, and finish plus cleanup jobs after washing the dishes.
PNW250 – You Can Prevent Foodborne Illness
For adult helpers and club leaders
- C1098E – 4-H Food Activity Scoresheet
- C1097E – 4-H Food Activity Scoresheet Evaluation Criteria
- State Foods & Nutrition Project Resources
Helpful Resources
Washington Specific Reference Material
EM4939E – Cooking Fresh Vegetables
We have all heard that we should eat more vegetables. This publication provides simple, yet tasty recipes that will help us do exactly that.
PNW735 – Slow Cooking from Start to Finish
A slow cooker produces a variety of delicious and healthy dishes that saves time, energy, and money. Learn about this versatile kitchen appliance—how to operate it; selecting one that suits your needs; cooking safely with it; how to clean it; helpful tips, like handling leftovers; plus eight yummy recipes to get you started. Its slow but steady approach will soon fill your house with the irresistible aroma of a home-cooked meal.
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Team Cuisine – University of Minnesota Extension
Team Cuisine is a series of seven lessons demonstrating how youth can create nutritious meals while building and identifying cultural awareness and differences among recipes.
This series can be used with youth in grades K-13 in a 4-H club, after-school setting, day camp, at home or family events. Use the whole series, or individual lessons can stand alone for single-session programming.
From Higher Education Institutions
Food Hero – Oregon State University
Food Hero includes healthy recipes, gardening tips, and other information to help people connect with food in a healthy way. Materials are available in English and Spanish.
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Indiana 4-H Cooking Curriculum Ohio 4-H Cooking Project Guides
Food Preservation is a great way to enjoy the tastes of the season anytime! Learn how to preserve food through various methods including boiling water canning, pressure canning, and dehydration.
Note: Certified 4-H Volunteers wishing to lead a Food Preservation project must complete additional certification requirements. See the 4-H Policies and Procedures handbook for more details.
WSU Curriculum and Resources
- PNW650 – 4-H Home Food Preservation Series: Freezing Project Manual
- PNW651 – 4-H Home Food Preservation Series: Drying Project Manual
- PNW652 – 4-H Home Food Preservation Series: Boiling Water Canning Project Manual
- PNW653 – 4-H Home Food Preservation Series: Pressure Canning Project Manual
- C0781E – Food Preservation Record
- EM4921E – Getting Started in Food Preservation – Leader’s Guide
National 4-H Curriculum and Resources
- Home Food Preservation Series (Junior, Intermediate, Senior)
Other Resources
In the 4-H Food Science Project, youth go beyond cooking and baking to understand how food works – why do baked goods rise, how does the food we eat power our body, what are nutrients, and what different components do to make food taste good, stay together, and create the things we love to eat.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn about secrets of baking through experiments with gluten, leavening agents, and ingredients in baked goods
- Investigate protein chemistry through experiments with eggs and cheese
- Explore the inner mysteries of fruits and vegetables
- Learn about food science and food technology careers
4-H Food Science Curriculum
Available in the Extension office or online.
What’s on Your Plate? Exploring Food Science is a comprehensive curriculum set with hands-on experiments—some of which learners can eat as they discover the science behind food preparation. Youth learn the building blocks of food science using chemistry, biology, and physics in a “kitchen laboratory” setting. Learn why and how things happen in breads, muffins, eggs, fruit, vegetables, cheese, candy, and beverages. Conduct food experiments, collect and analyze data, practice sensory science (tasting), and investigate career opportunities. Each unit contains three activities for beginner through advanced learners.
What’s On Your Plate? Exploring Food Science: Unit 1 – The Secrets of Baking
The Youth Science Journal leads learners through the experiments and provides them with use-at-home information. Unit 1 uncovers “The Secrets of Baking” with activities to understand the science of baked goods—gluten, leavening and proper mixing—and the best methods for making these foods. The Facilitator Guide (sold separately) provides tips and photos for successfully doing the activities. Short, online tutorial videos show exactly what you need to know and explain the science behind the experiments.
What’s On Your Plate? Exploring Food Science: Unit 2 – The Power of Protein Chemistry
The Youth Science Journal leads learners through the experiments and provides them with use-at-home information. Unit 2, “The Power of Protein Chemistry,” explores the many ways eggs are used in foods, and how milk turns into cheese. The Facilitator Guide (sold separately) provides tips and photos for successfully doing the activities. Short, online tutorial videos show exactly what you need to know and explain the science behind the experiments.
What’s On Your Plate? Exploring Food Science: Unit 3 – The Inner Mysteries of Fruits and Vegetables
The Youth Science Journal leads learners through the experiments and provides them with use-at-home information. Unit 3 dives into “The Inner Mysteries of Fruits and Vegetables.” Activities investigate how to prepare fruits and vegetables so they taste and look appealing in color and texture. The Facilitator Guide (sold separately) provides tips and photos for successfully doing the activities. Short, online tutorial videos show exactly what you need to know and explain the science behind the experiments.
What’s On Your Plate? Exploring Food Science: Unit 4 – Be a Food Scientist
The Youth Science Journal leads learners through the experiments and provides them with use-at-home information. Unit 4, “Be a Food Scientist,” lets learners look at a day in the life of a food scientist, as well as practice being one as they create a new beverage and learn a basic food science skill–crystallization. The Facilitator Guide (sold separately) provides tips and photos for successfully doing the activities. Short, online tutorial videos show exactly what you need to know and explain the science behind the experiments.
What’s On Your Plate? Exploring Food Science: Unit 1 – The Secrets of Baking – Facilitator Guide
This Facilitator Guide provides tips for success for teaching “The Secrets of Baking.” Step-by-step guide with instructions, pictures and explanations includes pages from the Youth Science Journals along with the answer key. Short online tutorial videos provide science explanations and demonstrations for doing the activities. Both the Facilitator Guide and Youth Science Journal are necessary for completing the activities.
What’s On Your Plate? Exploring Food Science: Unit 2 – The Power of Protein Chemistry – Facilitator
This Facilitator Guide provides tips for success for teaching “The Power of Protein Chemistry.” Step-by-step guide with instructions, pictures and explanations includes pages from the Youth Science Journals along with answer key. Short online tutorial videos provide science explanations and demonstrations for doing the activities. Both the Facilitator Guide and Youth Science Journal are necessary for completing the activities.
This Facilitator Guide provides tips for success for teaching “The Inner Mysteries of Fruits and Vegetables.” Step-by-step guide with instructions, pictures and explanations includes pages from the Youth Science Journals along with answer key. Short online tutorial videos provide science explanations and demonstrations for doing the activities. Both the Facilitator Guide and Youth Science Journal are necessary for completing the activities.
What’s On Your Plate? Exploring Food Science: Unit 4 – Be a Food Scientist! – Facilitator Guide
This Facilitator Guide provides tips for success for teaching “Be a Food Scientist.” Step-by-step guide with instructions, pictures and explanations includes pages from the Youth Science Journals along with answer key. Short online tutorial videos provide science explanations and demonstrations for doing the activities. Both the Facilitator Guide and Youth Science Journal are necessary for completing the activities.
Science Fun with Kitchen Chemistry
Join the Terrestrial Alien Defense Academy and figure out how to outsmart the aliens by doing experiments in your kitchen. Learn about what matter is and how it changes form; explore the different properties of matter; find out about acids and bases; and discover how everyday items and kitchen ingredients can be used in cool tests! Designed for beginners, but appropriate for all levels.
Science Fun with Kitchen Chemistry Supply List (PDF)
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
C1099E – 4-H Food Activity Worksheet
EM3443E – Dinner is Served: An Etiquette Guide
A publication with illustrations all about the etiquette for informal and formal dinners.
EM4733E – Food Activity Guidelines
Publication on: preparing dishes to wash, how to wash, rinse, and finish plus cleanup jobs after washing the dishes.
PNW250 – You Can Prevent Foodborne Illness
For adult helpers and club leaders
- C1098E – 4-H Food Activity Scoresheet
- C1097E – 4-H Food Activity Scoresheet Evaluation Criteria
- State 4-H Foods & Nutrition Project Resources
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Includes the activities “My Food Journal,” “Windowsill Greenhouse Garden,” “Grow Your Own Microgreens,” “Make Your Own Cheese,” “Make Your Own Sourdough Pizza,” and “Make Your Own Butter.”
Science Fun with Dairy Foods: The Case of the Missing Milk
‘Your kitchen will become a laboratory as you observe and experiment with dairy products. As a member of the Dairy Police Task Force you will learn the science behind butter, cheese, and curds while solving the mystery of The Missing Milk.
Food Science Experiments for Kids
The kitchen holds a special place in the home and the heart. It’s where meals and memories are made, where families bond over food, and where lessons are passed down to the next generation. Kids can be taught about recipes, cooking techniques, nutrition, and more in the comfort of their home kitchen through food science experiments.
From chemical reactions to physical changes, the kitchen is a perfect laboratory for kids to explore science. Here’s why that education is so important, and how you can use food science experiments for kids to explore science with your children!
Safe Recipe Activity for Middle School Students – Partnership for Food Safety Education
Did you know there could be harmful germs in your food?
Germs are invisible, they’re everywhere, and some can make you very sick. Germs can be in your food, on your hands, or even on kitchen utensils, cutting boards and counter tops. Luckily, there are steps you can take when you’re preparing food that lower your risk of getting a foodborne illness.
One easy way to remember these steps is to use a safe recipe while preparing food. Safe recipes include food safety steps, like washing your hands, that lower the risk of getting sick from harmful germs.
The Safe Recipe Activity takes about 30 minutes to complete and will teach you how to use the Safe Recipe Style Guide to turn a basic recipe into a safe recipe.
Science Activities and Experiments – Education.com Learning Library
This site contains science activities for multiple fields, including hands-on activities, worksheets, and more. In the left panel, it can be sorted by physical science, life science, earth & space science, and engineering & science practices, as well as by topic, age group, and state education standards.
4-H Friday Fun! Ice Cream in a Bag – The University of Maine (Video)
4-H Friday Fun! is a series of at-home activities for parents and kids. In this video, join Sadee Mehuren, 4-H Youth Development Professional (Waldo County), as she makes homemade ice cream. The purpose of this activity is to: 1) demonstrate how substances change between different states of matter and 2) to introduce the concept of melting point. Produced by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H.
Instructions (PDF) are available through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website.
4-H Friday Fun! Is there Seaweed in Your Cupboard? – The University of Maine (video)
4-H Friday Fun! is a series of at-home activities for parents and kids. In this video, join Sarah Sparks, 4-H Science Youth Development Professional to learn about seaweed and what food products in your kitchen cupboard or refrigerator might contain. Produced by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H.
Handouts (PDF) are available through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website.
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
University of Tennessee 4-H Food Science Activity Page (PDF)
Who doesn’t love butter? In this activity, you will learn about where butter comes from and how to make your own butter! Requires a free Clover account to access lesson plans.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Teach children the importance of nutrition and physical activity using interactive websites and games.
Science and Our Food Supply – US Food and Drug Administration
Free supplementary curriculum for middle level and high school classrooms.
What captures the interest of students? FOOD! Yes, food can be used to engage students in inquiry-based science — really!
The Science and Our Food Supply Teacher Guides are challenging hands-on, minds-on activities that empower students to make informed choices about food safety, nutrition, biotechnology, and dietary supplements. They are crafted in a teacher-friendly modular format that easily fit into science, health, and other classes.
Science and our Food Supply: Food Safety Reference Guide – US Food and Drug Administration (PDF)
Knitting and crochet projects allow members to not only create their own garments, pot holders, and household items, but to develop their skills in persistence, patience, and focus as they express themselves creatively.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn about the tools used in knitting and crochet
- Select yarn or thread based on its characteristics and the needs of the youth’s selected project goals
- Learn needle art abbreviations and knowledge needed to follow a pattern
- Learn to care for knitted and crochet items
- Practice and perform basic skills in knitting or crochet
- Develop skills with different types of needles or fiber, other crochet or knitting tools or looms, and advance their techniques and abilities
4-H Knitting and Crochet Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
4-H Crocheting Handbook Digital Download
The 4-H Crocheting Handbook teaches youth how to use a hook and yarn to make amazing creations! This handbook gives youth a foundation for learning how to crochet with guidance on starting basic stitches, as well as learning how to read patterns, finishing projects, and making decorative accessories like pompoms. This guide has written guidance, as well as pictures, and accompanying videos to help youth get started and even how to use their new skill to give back.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Used to show what was made.
C0678E- Needlework Skills Checklist
Checklist of skills learned throughout project.
EM4720E- 4-H Member Manual: Standards of Quality in Crafts
For adult helpers and club leaders
State 4-H Needle Arts Project Resources
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Mead County 4-H Virtual Projects: Knitting (YouTube Video)
Learn knitting with Deana K. Reed, CEA for 4-H Youth Development, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment and Amy Aldenderfer, Harden County Extension Agent, Horticulture. To follow along, participants will need knitting needles and yarn.
Other Reference Material
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Crochet Made Easy by Red Heart Yarns, Coats & Clark (PDF)
Crochet Made Easy is written for beginners, and features easy-to-understand diagrams and step-by-step instructions to illustrate crochet
stitches and techniques.
A Leader’s Guide to the Food Culture of the Native American Plateau Cultural Area for 5th-8th Graders. Topics include: Salmon, Plants of the Plateau, Berries and Other Fruits of the Forest, and Roots.
Objectives
Youth will
- Learn about native foods of the Pacific Northwest
- Safely prepare, preserve, store and serve some of these foods
- Learn about healthy eating and the importance of being active
- Make tools and utensils used to harvest and preserve native foods
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For adult helpers and club leaders
- EB1966E- Leader’s Guide to Native Foods: Linking the Past with the Present
- State Foods & Nutrition Project ResourcesState Global Citizenship Project Resources
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
The Indigenous Winter Pantry: Recipes for Today’s Kitchen
An article on various indigenous food traditions that includes a few recipes to try.
Washington Specific Reference Material
- First Foods: How Native people are revitalizing the natural nourishment of the Pacific Northwest
- Pacific Northwest History and Cultures: Why Do the Foods We Eat Matter?
- A Selection of Pacific Northwest Native Plants: Traditional and Modern Harvest and Use: A Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Publication (PDF)
- Tribal Salmon Culture: Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
- Cedar Box Teaching Toolkit: Created by the Muckleshoot Traditional Foods Program with funding from the First Nations Development Institute & the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (PDF)
- Tribal and Traditional Foods Video Links from the Washington State Farm to School Network (PDF)
- Indigenous Foods – National Indian Council on Aging, Inc.
- Revitalizing Northwest Coastal Indian Food Culture through Food Sovereignty – Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies
- How some Northwest tribes cultivate land for First Foods, traditional medicines
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Native American 4-H History: National 4-H History Preservation Program
The 4-H Clothing project provides an opportunity for youth to practice a variety of life skills, while learning about sewing, clothing, and textiles subject matter.
Sewing projects teach kids the skills needed to create a variety of items, from clothing, to bags, to pillowcases. Learn about fabric selection, sewing techniques, proper clothing care, and more!
Objectives
Youth will:
- Apply personal creativity and learn basic sewing skills
- Practice good personal grooming skills
- Learn about fabrics, textile science, and technology
- Select appropriate color, line, and design
- Apply wise shopping practices
- Select appropriate care for personal clothing
- Learn about the cultural influences of clothing
4-H Sewing & Garment Construction Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Sewing Expressions Level 1 – Under Construction
Youth will learn more about fashion and their unique style as well as technology in sewing and careers in the textile industry.
Sewing Expressions Level 2 – Fashion Forward
Fashion Forward (Level 2) will help youth develop their fashion sense and the skills needed to create a unique style of their own.
Sewing Expressions Level 3 – Refine Design
Refine Design (Level 3) will help youth learn more about fashion and their unique style as well as technology in sewing and careers in the textile industry.
Sewing Expressions Helper’s Guide
This book is the Helper’s Guide of the 4-H Sewing Curriculum. This curriculum set, written by university experts, include activities for young people to develop and share their creative abilities in the sewing and textiles area.
The activity books include sections on creating (gaining experience in sewing), maintaining (caring for textile items), teching (technology applications in the apparel and textile industry), futuring (a sampling of potential careers), and serving (using their knowledge and skills to help others).
In this series, youth learn how to construct garments while also learning textile science, beginning math and engineering techniques, and investigating careers and service projects in the garment industry.
STEAM Clothing 1: FUNdamentals
In STEAM Clothing 1: FUNdamentals, youth will gather the tools they’ll need to begin sewing, understand textiles through fun science experiments, learn beginning math and engineering techniques in clothing construction, and take their skills a step further, investigating businesses, service learning projects, and modeling.
STEAM Clothing 2: Simply Sewing
In STEAM Clothing 2: Simply Sewing, youth will prepare for more advanced sewing techniques and projects, conduct more advanced textile science experiments, focus on advanced engineering techniques, add finishing touches and style to garments, and market and calculate prices of products.
STEAM Clothing 3: A Stitch Further
In STEAM Clothing 3: A Stitch Further, youth will learn the advanced, couture techniques used by designers to create unique garments. Youth will take the science of textiles a step further, and learn to sew garments with challenging patterns and fabrics, couture sewing techniques, and how to sell your professional-looking garments and accessories.
In Maker’s Guide to Sewing Stuff, youth will use the skills learned in STEAM Clothing 1 & 2 to make stuff! Youth will create items to use and wear while they practice their beginning sewing skills. Activities in this manual are for beginning and intermediate sewers looking to improve their skills before progressing into using patterns to make garments.
STEAM Clothing Activity Manual: Beyond the Needle
In Beyond the Needle, youth will learn all about the ‘A’ in STEAM Clothing — the Art! This youth manual includes activities for three skill levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Youth will learn the design basics and create a portfolio to exhibit samples made to practice specific techniques. Then, youth will be able to create their own fabulous embellishments and treatments on garments. If you love art, then this STEAM Clothing manual is for you!
4-H Wearable Technology curriculum series in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing.
Each youth will need their own Design Notebooks for each level.
WearTec Book 1: Circuitry – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 1: Circuitry – Design Notebook
This is Level 1 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 1, youth learn the foundations of circuitry through 4 projects.
WearTec Book 2: Sewing – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 2: Sewing – Design Notebook
This is Level 2 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 2, youth learn how to sew and create projects using microcontrollers.
WearTec Book 3: Programming – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 3: Programming – Design Notebook
This is Level 3 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 3, youth learn basic programming and coding skills and then apply these skills using various platforms, such as Arduino.
WearTec Book 4: Design – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 4: Design – Design Notebook
This is Level 4 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 4, youth practice each step of the engineering design process: Research, Develop a Solution, Test & Evaluate, and Communicate. Level 4 includes 4 Design Challenges involving light and temperature.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
C0677E – Sewing Skills Checklist
This publication is designed for 4-H’ers enrolled in the Clothing Program. Its purpose is to help you plan sewing activities to constantly stretch your sewing abilities.
EM4339E – Fashion Modeling Your 4-H Garment
Simply wearing clothes is modeling. You are always on display, whether you are on the street, in your home, at school, on the job, at play, traveling, or at parties.
EM4224E – Suggestions for Writing 4-H Style Revue Commentary (PDF)
The 4-H Fashion Revue commentary presents the 4-H’er and his or her project to the audience. The commentary should introduce the 4-H’er, describe special garment features for the audience to notice, and may highlight additional personal information about the 4-H’er and the project.
PNW197 – Measuring Up: Quality Standards in Sewn Items
The purpose of this publication is to list and describe specific characteristics that can be expected in high-quality construction of either home-sewn or ready-to-wear garments or other sewn items.
C0675E – Clothing Construction Record
Used to record types of garments made.
For adult helpers and club leaders
EM4789E – Teaching 4-H Oral Reasons
Teaches leaders how to help 4-H members give oral reasons for judging items and exhibits.
EM4870E – Sew Quick! Leader Guide
This is a 4-H clothing leader’s guide. It contains tips and techniques for sewing, and quick projects.
Es una publicación que muestra varios proyectos rápidos que han sido utilizados con éxito en ambientes 4-H en el Estado de Washington.
State 4-H Needle Arts Project Resources
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Jean Jems: Simple Sewing Projects – Arizona Cooperative Extension (PDF)
Washington Specific Reference Material
If you’re interested in clothing, you’ll want to know about the central role interfacings play in making a garment appear professional.
Other Reference Material
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
4-H and Joann Fabric & Craft Stores
4-H and JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores are partnering to ensure every kid has an equal opportunity to succeed. Through in-store donations, custom 4-H products and digital experiences, JOANN customers and 4-H supporters are helping to empower the next generation of makers to lead lives with their hearts, hands and minds.
Want to learn more about working with wood? Woodworking projects teach skills such as measuring, cutting, nailing, and finishing. Create beautiful works of art using wood!
Objectives
Youth will:
- Mark, measure, cut, drill, and sand various kinds of wood
- Use hand and power tools
- Use nails, screws, bolts, staples, glue, hinges, and brackets appropriately
- Construct various kinds of joints
- Apply paints, stains, finishes, adhesives, and strippers
- Use safety practices when working with wood
- Understand lumber dimensions and enlarge a wood plan
4-H Woodworking Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Woodworking Wonders Level 1: Measuring Up
Youth will develop skills that woodworkers use, such as measuring, squaring & cutting a board, driving nails, and using clamps and screws. It is suggested that all youth begin with this guide to be grounded in the basics of woodworking.
Woodworking Wonders Level 2: Making the Cut
Youth will measure, cut, sand, drill, use advanced hand and power tools, apply finish, and use bolts and staples.
Woodworking Wonders Level 3: Nailing It Together
Youth will practice measuring angles, cutting dado and rabbet joints, using saws, and smoothing lumber with a hand planer.
Woodworking Wonders Level 4: Finishing Up
Youth will learn specific woodworking skills including using a router, portable planer and jointer, making a blind mortise and tenon joint, making dovetail joints, and experimenting with adhesives and various chemical wood strippers.
Woodworking Wonders Helper’s Guide
This guide provides the helper with a variety of group activities that will help youth broaden their understanding of the basic woodworking concepts. A number of ideas for additional woodworking activities are included.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Sheet to record articles made, costs, and safety practices.
For adult helpers and club leaders
C0663 – Woodworking Exhibit Scorecard
To be used to judge 4-H woodworking project entries.
State 4-H Arts & Crafts Project Resources
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
- Woodworking Additional Plans: Level 1 – Indiana 4-H (PDF)
- Woodworking Additional Plans: Level 2 – Indiana 4-H (PDF)
- Skill-a-Thon Woodworking: Driving a nail – Missouri 4-H (PDF)
- Skill-a-Thon Woodworking: Measuring a Board – Missouri 4-H (PDF)
- Skill-a-Thon Woodworking: Parts of a Hammer – Missouri 4-H (PDF)
- Create Your Own Clock – University of Minnesota Extension
In this independent learning guide, youth use reclaimed materials to create their very own clock. Designed for grades 3-8, this project may require adult assistance for younger youth or youth who have never used a drill or hammer.
Washington Specific Reference Material
IsGood Woodworks Online Learning Library
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
- 4-H Woodworking Project Reference Manual – Canada 4-H & Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (PDF)
- 4-H Wood Science Leader Guide Glossary of Terms – from 4-H Wood Science Leader Guide (PDF)
Working with Wood and Tools: Unit 1 Member Manual – Oregon 4-H
This is the first unit of the 4- H Wood Science series. This manual tells you some important things about using wood tools and building objects with wood.
The Wonderful World of Wood: Unit 2 Member Manual – Oregon 4-H
This is the second unit of the 4-H Wood Science series. If you have completed Unit 1, you are probably asking: “Now what?”
Building Bigger Things: Unit 3 Member Manual – Oregon 4-H
This is the third unit of the 4-H Wood Science series. This unit introduces new concepts of wood science and provides activities and experiments that can help you better understand these concepts.
4-H Wood Science Leader Guide – Oregon 4-H
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
The Easiest Way to Introduce Woodworking to Kids
Woodworking for kids doesn’t have to be intimidating! Easy project ideas and tips for the parent who is a woodworking novice.
Early Childhood Woodworking – Scholastic Parents
When most people think about woodworking for children they picture the final product – maybe the birdhouse or the napkin holder. But a typical woodworking project is about much more than the product. It’s about the processes and the practices that make up the steps of the project.
Woodworking does not have to be for adults and teenagers only. A good way to introduce woodworking to young children is to explore the processes using real tools and real processes, and practice these before you start to build anything. It is also important for young children to practice a skill many times over to get the hang of it.
Here are some tips and tricks for parents and educators for using tools and woodworking materials with a younger audience.
American Hardwood Information Center Species Guide
This Guide features 20 of the most abundant and most often used Hardwood species. In addition to the basics – where they grow, general description, and abundance – each Hardwood profile includes working and physical properties, availability, strength and mechanical properties, and main uses.
Additionally, each species is shown in clear, light, medium and dark finishes to help visualize stain combinations of flooring, cabinetry, moulding and furniture co-existing in a single design space.
The Router Workshop is a television program which teaches the use of router and woodworking procedures. The Router Workshop was first produced in 1995 by Woodgrain Productions Inc and it spans 183 episodes and 14 series.