STEM

Color Your Cloverbud World with a Kaleidoscope

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Finding an exciting activity for Cloverbuds they have not already done can be challenging. And it is important for Cloverbud activities to be fun and educational. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities are fun, and also engage Cloverbuds in learning about the world around them. One activity that combines education with fun is a handmade kaleidoscope. While it is a craft, it is also a science toy.

A kaleidoscope is a toy that has reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces are inside a tube. When the tube is rotated, light bouncing off the reflective surfaces creates changing patterns. The science lesson for this activity is discussing the reflection of light. You can share with your Cloverbuds that reflection consists of a light source and a surface. When the light travels through the tube it bounces off the reflective surface. The instructions for this fun science activity are simple and the supplies are easy to find.

You will need:

  • Empty potato chip can (one for each Cloverbud)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Hammer and nail
  • Clear glue
  • Color paper
  • Tissue paper
  • Clear contact paper
  • Glitter
  • Sequins
  • Markers

What to Do:

  1. Start with an empty, clean potato chip can (like Pringles).
  2. Roll a piece of aluminum foil and put it inside the can. Mark and cut off the excess. You may have to tack it down with glue.
  3. Cover the outside of the can with colored paper and secure it with tape. Decorate with markers, tape, and stickers.
  4. Have an adult use a hammer and nail to punch an eye hole in the sealed end (bottom) of the can.
  5. Using the clear glue, glue the sequins on the inside of the can lid. Then add glitter or additional embellishments.
  6. Use clear contact paper and add tissue and other embellishments to the sticky side.
  7. Cut the contact paper to fit the top of the can. You will put the lid over the contact paper, so make sure it fits.
  8. Put the lid on your kaleidoscope and head outside.

So, the next time you need a fun and educational activity for your Cloverbuds, try this STEM craft.

Photo Credit: Little Bins for Little Hands

Resources:

littlebinsforlittlehands.com/how-to-make-a-simple-kaleidoscope-for-kids/

Reading Adventure: The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal

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The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk is a new Cloverbud Reading Adventure that you can use with your Cloverbuds to help them understand the solar system and the importance of the sun. This adventure can be used anytime but is great paired with education about the upcoming solar eclipse.

This lesson teaches Cloverbuds about the solar system and the planets and other items it includes. You will explore why the sun is a big deal through a variety of hands-on activities designed to reinforce key science concepts. It will help your Cloverbuds to understand that the sun sits in the center of our solar system and holds it together. Without the sun, life on planet Earth would not exist.

The book does a great job of explaining why we have four seasons, the sun’s role in the water cycle, and how plants need the sun for photosynthesis. Plus, it gives us light and keeps us warm!

Check out this new Reading Adventure and discover why The Sun is Kind of a Big Deal!

Solar Eclipse 2024

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Have you heard the news? On Monday, April 8, 2024 a solar eclipse will occur over North America with portions of Mexico, the United States, and Canada in the path of totality. What is the path of totality? That means the moon will completely cover the sun, temporarily blocking its light. This can lead to a drop in temperature, animals behaving like it’s nighttime and stars and planets might be clearly visible. Imagine how scared the first people to view a total eclipse must have been!

Roughly 35 Ohio counties will experience complete totality while all other counties will experience a partial eclipse. Introduce your Cloverbuds to the eclipse by using the lesson, Small Moon, Big Sun 1 This is a stand-alone lesson focusing on the concept of the eclipse and a discussion about the solar system. Concerned because you are not a scientist? No problem! The lesson includes the background information to help you explain the event to your Cloverbuds in language they can understand.

Begin your Cloverbud meeting with a discussion about what an eclipse is and learn about the parts of the solar system. There is a cool experiment to help your Cloverbuds understand how the moon, which is much smaller than the sun, blocks the sun during an eclipse. If you have available internet connectivity, you can share the video about gravity which explains why the moon doesn’t fall from the sky. End your meeting with a discussion about what your Cloverbuds think it would be like to live on another planet.

In addition to this lesson, there are some children’s books that can be used to reinforce the key concepts: The Sun is Kind of A Big Deal by Nick Seluk, Eclipse by Andy Rash. and Eclipse by Darcy Patterson. Look for a related Cloverbud Reading Adventure coming soon!

If your 4-H families are planning to view the eclipse, follow these Tips for Sun Safety.

For more information or for other eclipse activities, visit ohio4h.org/solareclipse.

ALL SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING RISKS BORNE BY THE VIEWER. Any and all risks associated by viewing the solar eclipse on any property operated by, or with glasses distributed by the Ohio State University, are borne and accepted solely by the individual taking such action. Instructions on how to use the glasses are printed on the inside of the glasses. Please read them carefully and follow the instructions exactly as written. You hereby release The Ohio State University, its Trustees, boards, officers, employees and representatives from any liability, for any and all claims and causes of action for loss of or damage to property and for any and all illness or injury to your person that may result from or occur during your participation in the activity, whether caused by negligence of The Ohio State University, its Trustees, boards, officers, employees, or representatives, or otherwise. See instructions on glasses before use.

Get Excited for Fall with this STEM Activity!

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STEM activities are a great way to introduce Cloverbuds to the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. By participating in hands-on STEM activities, children can learn problem- solving skills, creativity, and decision making skills.

Using the season to build activities around a theme engages Cloverbuds and connects them to real world experiences. Try this favorite Fall-themed STEM activity with your Cloverbuds at your next meeting.

Mini Pumpkin Volcano

Materials Picture of a Mini Pumpkin Volcano made with baking soda, food coloring, and vinegarNeeded:

  • Mini Pumpkin
  • Baking Soda
  • Vinegar
  • Dish soap
  • Food Coloring
  • Spoon
  • Measuring Cup
  • Tray or paper (for the mess)

What to Do:

  1. Cut the stem area of the pumpkin, keeping the opening smaller.
  2. Clean out the seeds.
  3. Place the pumpkin on the tray or paper.
  4. Add 3 to 4 spoons of baking soda to each pumpkin. Add a few drops of dish soap, and a few drops of food coloring.
  5. Pour vinegar into a bowl and have the Cloverbud use a measuring cup to pour vinegar into the pumpkin. Watch as the pumpkin erupts!

To make your pumpkin volcano even more interesting, carve the pumpkin like a jack-o-lantern and watch the eruption from different angles of the pumpkin.

Check out the Cloverbud Connections Pumpkin STEM and the Pumpkin Ideas for Autumn 4-H Cloverbud Activities blogs for more pumpkin and fall ideas to use with your Cloverbuds.

 

Pile of mini pumpkins

Sources:

https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/mini-pumpkin-volcanos-fall-science-experiment/

https://www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com/pumpkin-volcano-science-experiments/

Photos from Adobe Stock

 

Fall Fun with Cloverbuds

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Autumn is here! Temperatures are getting cooler and days are getting shorter. Fall is a favorite of many families. There are so many things to enjoy about the fall, but what happens when chilly and rainy days upset your plans for a sun-filled perfect autumn day? Most of the following activities can be done inside, with warm dry clothes, still creating seasonal memories with your Cloverbuds.

Rainy Weather? Go out Anyway! In his 1973 book, “Coast to Coast”, Alfred Wainwright wrote “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Sometimes, rainy days make the best days outdoors. Popular outdoor areas, like pumpkin patches, the zoo, and the parks see a reduced attendance rate on less than picture perfect days, so you’ll have smaller crowds. Places like the zoo or aquarium have interspersed buildings that can provide a quick place to duck in if the weather is especially blustery. If you’re looking for an inexpensive outdoor experience, local metro parks or your own backyard are the perfect solution. Take your Cloverbuds (be sure to tell parents in advance so they can dress their Cloverbud for the weather) on a wet weather scavenger hunt for the biggest and smallest puddle, see who can create the biggest splash, find animals tracks in the mud, or make leaf boats to float. A bonus of parks and trails is gathering fallen leaves or materials to use to make art but be sure to leave the wildflowers for others to enjoy. (Know and follow your local park guidelines. Some have policies that state the only thing you should take is pictures.) So be prepared for a little rain and a little mud. Pack that extra change of clothing, strap on those rainboots, grab the raincoat, and enjoy the wet weather!

Looking for indoor activities to use with your Cloverbuds this fall? If you have leaves available in your backyard (or collected after a hike), use them to make some amazing works of art. Leaves can be used to make a nature art frame, or used outside for games and activities. Fall wildflowers such as ironweed and goldenrod make beautiful backgrounds for your frame too.

Thinking ahead to upcoming holidays, floral arrangements or wreaths make excellent indoor activities. Using materials from the discount store and hot glue, fun fall decorations can be made with budget friendly materials. Cut the center out of a paper plate and glue leaves and pinecones around the edges for a fall look or go spooky with tissue ghosts and black construction paper handprints.

Homemade play dough never goes out of style and can be used more than once if it is stored properly. Check your spice cabinet and add cinnamon, pumpkin or apple pie spice, or nutmeg to create a fragrant hands-on fall theme play day! Be sure to tell Cloverbuds not to eat the homemade play dough.

Carve pumpkins and use the seeds to make a salty snack or dye them and use for counting, making patterns, color sorting or creating seasonal art! Learn how to dye the harvested seeds and find a list of STEAM seed activities here.

Don’t forget to check out the Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch in a few weeks to register those apple crunches for Ohio which helps celebrate October as Farm to School month. Every tasty bite counts!

Resources:

childsplayabc.wordpress.com/2021/06/06/leaf-boats-and-rafts/

honeyandlime.co/fall-leaves-wreath-craft-for-kids/

munchkinfunathome.com/arts/playdough

messylittlemonster.com/2020/10/how-to-dye-pumpkin-seeds.html

The Nature Connection: Get Your Cloverbuds Outside with Scavenger Hunts

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If you’re looking to take advantage of time to be outside during the summer months with your Cloverbuds, consider a nature scavenger hunt.

The Nature Connection

Being out in nature has positive benefits for both physical and mental health. Direct exposure to nature and the outdoors has been found to have a restorative and calming effect. It shifts focus, provides an escape, and may facilitate reflection. Although research hasn’t been able to pin down why there is such a health benefit, it could be due to an increase in physical activity. In addition, time spent in nature during childhood is associated with connectedness with nature, increased pro-environmental attitudes, and pro-environmental behaviors. However, we also know that children are spending less time outdoors than previous generations.

Scavenger Hunts: What and Why

A scavenger hunt is a game that starts with a prepared list of specific objects for participants to gather or locate. Scavenger hunts are more than just a way to keep children busy, they are a way to build critical thinking skills and have fun at the same time.

There are many reasons to consider a scavenger hunt.

  • They don’t require many supplies.
  • They can be as simple or elaborate as you want.
  • They can be played with individuals or with teams.
  • They can be customized to a variety of age groups.
  • They are adaptable to small or large groups.
  • They can be played in various ways.

Adult leaders can plan the scavenger hunt or turn it over to teen leaders to create it (given some parameters). To create a scavenger hunt, you’ll need to decide on the game parameters. Make sure to define if anything is off limits. Then follow these basic steps.

  1. Make a list of items for participants to find or things to do. A Google search will also turn up printable scavenger hunt sheets. There are some nature-related scavenger hunts to check out.
  2. Define the search area (backyard, neighborhood, park, etc.).
  3. Decide on a time limit for completion.
  4. Decide how you will complete the game: Is it finding the most items? Or is the goal for everyone to find the items and share what they found?

Scavenger Hunt Ideas

  • Items in nature: leaf, flower, feather, rock, twig, acorn, pinecone, bird’s nest, animal tracks, etc. Check out these sites for some ideas for a nature scavenger hunt.
  • Items that are a particular color or shape
  • Items that involve the senses: something smooth, something soft, something you can hear, something you can smell, etc.
  • Items to correspond to letters of the alphabet
  • Mix and match to add some challenge: a yellow flower, a smooth stone, a blue bird.
  • If you don’t want to or can’t remove items from their natural environment, take photos.

Ways to Extend the Learning

  • Mindfulness is a way to bring connection between the brain, body, and behavior. This Iowa State University activity sheet for Mindful Nature Hike Bingo provides a lesson plan for making the connection between nature and mindfulness.
  • Books are always a good way to introduce or extend the learning on a topic. This site gives suggestions for books about nature.
  • Project Learn Tree© has 12 nature walk activities, including a scavenger hunt.

Whatever you decide for your scavenger hunt, have fun doing it!

 

References

DeVille, N. V., Tomasso, L. P., Stoddard, O. P., Wilt, G. E., Horton, T. H., Wolf, K. L., Brymer, E., Kahn, P. H., Jr., & James, P. (2021). Time spent in nature is associated with increased pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), Article 7498. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147498

Hartig, T., Mitchell, R., De Vries, S., & Frumkin, H. (2014). Nature and health. Annual Review of Public Health, 35, 207–228. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-032013-182443

Jiminez, M. P., DeVille, N. V., Elliott, E. G., Schiff, J. E., Wilt, G. E., Hart, J. E., & James, P. (2021). Associations between nature exposure and health: A review of the evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), Article 4790. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094790

Larson, L., R., Szczytko, R., Bowers, E. P., Stephens, L. E., Stephenson, K. T., & Floyd, M. F. (2019). Outdoor time, screen time, and connection to nature: Troubling trends among rural youth? Environment and Behavior, 51(8), 966–991. https://doi.org/10.1177/001391651880668

Masterton, W., Carver, H., Parkes, T., & Park, K. (2020). Greenspace interventions for mental health in clinical and non-clinical populations: What works, for whom, and in what circumstances? Health and Place, 64, Article 102338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102338

Shapiro, S. L., Carlson, L. E., Astin, J. A., & Freedman, B. (2006). Mechanisms of mindfulness. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(3), 373–386. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20237

 Sheldrake, R., & Reiss, M. J. (2023). Primary children’s views about appreciating, supporting, and learning about nature. Journal of Biological Education, 57(2), 401–421. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2021.1909643

Tillman, S., Button, B., Coen, S. E., & Gilliland, J. A. (2019). ‘Nature makes people happy, that’s what it sort of means’: Children’s definitions and perceptions of nature in rural Northwestern Ontario. Children’s Georgraphies, 17(6), 705–718. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2018.1550572

Van Heel, B. F., van den Born, R. J. G., & Aarts, N. (2023). Nature experiences in childhood as a driver of connectedness with nature and action for nature: A review. Ecopsychology. Published online March 7, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2022.0080

 

STEM Days for Cloverbuds

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Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities can make learning fun for our Cloverbuds and instill a lifelong desire to learn new things! Doing STEM based learning has many benefits for youth so Morgan County implemented Cloverbud STEM days. Events typically last 2 hours and consist of different STEM activities for Cloverbuds.  The day ends with a snack.

The event is completely conducted by Older Youth in Training and Junior Leaders.  With guidance, they choose a theme and plan what activities they want to do. Older youth lead the activities throughout the day.

The last STEM Day was on April 7th. It was called “Swing into Spring.” One of the activities for the day was based on the lifecycle of the Monarch Butterfly. It was an interactive game where the Cloverbuds become the monarch butterfly, beginning as an egg.

Supplies Needed:

  • Cotton balls
  • Laminated Monarch Caterpillars
  • Laminated Monarch Butterflies
  • Laminated milkweed leaves
  • Laminated Flowers
  • Milkweed seeds for a giveaway (optional)
  • Popsicle sticks (optional, to hot glue onto butterflies and caterpillars for easy holding)

What to Do:

  1. Explain what the Cloverbuds will be doing (experiencing the lifecycle of a monarch butterfly.)
  2. They will start off as an egg (cotton ball) and then hatch into a caterpillar. To hatch out of their eggs, each Cloverbud must jump 5 times. After they do so, hand them a laminated monarch butterfly caterpillar.
  3. Next the caterpillars must eat to form into a chrysalis to become a butterfly. Monarch caterpillars love milkweed. Each Cloverbud must collect (eat) 5 milkweed leaves so their caterpillar can form a chrysalis (explain the chrysalis is the shell a caterpillar will stay in while it is transforming into a butterfly).
  4. To simulate emerging from the chrysalis, they will put their caterpillars into a green cup. They must take ten steps to break out of their chrysalis (The actual time frame for this is 8-15 days).
  5. Once they have taken ten steps, hand each Cloverbud a laminated Monarch Butterfly.
  6. Now that they have hatched, it is time to get ready for the great migration to Mexico. Explain that just like birds, Monarch butterflies migrate too. They fly over Lake Erie to Canada all the way to Mexico where it is warmer. In order to prepare for migration, monarch butterflies must eat. Butterflies eat the nectar in flowers. Cloverbuds must collect eight flowers to successfully migrate to Mexico.
  7. Lastly, they will cross the finish line making it to Mexico.

There are many different variations you can do with this activity. Consider adding predators or other environmental factors. Morgan County 4-H partners with their SNAP-Ed program assistant to teach a short/fun lesson on nutrition during snack time right before dismissal. Cloverbuds enjoy that aspect of this event.

Consider implementing Cloverbud STEM days in your Cloverbud program.  STEM days have been a huge success in Morgan County!

 

Expanding Cloverbud Opportunities: County-Wide Cloverbud Clubs

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Are you looking for additional ideas to expand your current Cloverbud program?  Do you have 4-H clubs with one or two Cloverbud members that would benefit from opportunities beyond the community club?  Consider hosting a county-based Cloverbud Club to maximize outreach efforts.

Each year, Union County, Ohio, hosts a county-wide Cloverbud Club. To accommodate the large number of Cloverbuds in their county, two sessions are offered: one on Wednesday evening and one on Saturday morning. Meetings are held at the beginning of each month, February through May, with an additional session at the end of May to conclude the Cloverbud year. The theme for 2023 is “In My Backyard”. The meeting schedule utilizes a camp approach in which the Cloverbuds rotate in groups to different stations. Teens serve as counselors and supervise the Cloverbuds as they rotate through the activities.  Adult volunteers lead the sessions and teach the Cloverbuds about the selected topics.

The February meeting topic was “All About Bees”.  Cloverbuds learned about the life cycle of a bee, made beeswax candles, learned about pollination, and had a honey tasting station. The March meeting focused on worms. Cloverbuds conducted experiments with Red Wiggler Worms. During the April meeting, Cloverbuds learned about gardening. They planted lettuce seeds, made fruit pizza, and did a fruit and vegetable taste test. May’s meeting focused on animals. Volunteers brought a dog, horse, lamb, goat, pig, and turkeys.  The final meeting in May included a visit to a local farm and fishing.

The Cloverbud Club is a huge success, thanks to the teens and adult volunteers, and continues to grow each year.  Consider adding a county-based Cloverbud Club to your existing Cloverbud opportunities and expand your 4-H outreach.

STEM and Cloverbuds

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Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities have a large impact on children. STEM focuses on hands-on learning which helps children develop STEM skills including problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, decision making, and many more. It is never to early to teach these skills which are important not only now, but in the future. Try this STEM activity at your next meeting!

Important Information to consider before doing this activity.

  • Neodymium magnets are extremely strong! Fingers can easily get pinched when trying to separate the magnets. Be sure to keep the magnets away from cell phones, computer, and other electronics.
  • Iron oxide powder is not good to breathe. Therefore, the iron is mixed in with the glue.  Wear a mask when working with this powder.
  • Iron oxide powder is available from a variety of online sources.
  • Neodymium magnets are available from a variety of online sources.

                                   Magnetic Slime

You will need:

  • Liquid starch
  • Elmer’s glue
  • Iron Oxide powder (wear a mask)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Plastic spoons
  • ¼ Cup for measuring
  • 1 Tablespoon for measuring
  • 1/8 cup for measuring
  • A neodymium (rare earth) magnet, regular magnets aren’t strong enough

What to do:

  • In a mixing bowl add ¼ cup glue and 2 Tbsp iron oxide powder. Stir.
  • Pour in 1/8 cup liquid starch.
  • Stir the mixture well, the starch will react with the glue and slime will form.
  • Use your hands to knead the slime. If it is too sticky add more starch.
  • Use your magnet and play with the slime.

Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Engineering Adventure

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The Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Engineering Adventure (formerly known as Cloverbot Challenge) gives 4-H Cloverbuds the opportunity to work cooperatively in teams to problem-solve using STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) skills. A new theme is selected each year and teams research a topic, build a working model of their solution to the engineering issue and create a poster to illustrate their findings. Teams present their models and findings to a team of reviewers at one of the Showcase events, learn about other Cloverbuds’ projects, participate in age-appropriate STEM activities and are recognized at a closing celebration. Watch this short video to learn more about the Cloverbud Engineering Adventure: https://youtu.be/xrOrb3N37p0

The 2023 Challenge – Think backward or forward in time about something that interests the team. Design a model that includes moving parts or a simple machine. Your model could be a timeline, a time machine, a specific thing from a different time period (like a horse and buggy or futuristic vehicle). Here are the details! 2023 Cloverbud Engineering Adventure

Time travel has been a fascination for people over the years. Movies like Back to the Future or The Terminator have characters who travel through time. H. G. Wells 1895 novel, The Time Machine, made the idea of a time machine popular. The main characters in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure spend the movie learning about historical figures for a history report. Time travel has allowed characters in books and movies to interact with interesting people and events of the past or dream about the future. Exploring time travel is a great way for your Cloverbuds to connect with the past or imagine the future.

Choose the location for your team to attend a Showcase:

  • June 14 at 6:30 pm, Greene County Extension Office, Xenia
  • June 22 at 6:30 pm, Washington County Junior Fair Building, Marietta
  • June 24 at 10:00 am, Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Columbus
  • June 27 at 7:00 pm, Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Middleburg Heights
  • June 29 at 5:00 pm, Perry County Fairgrounds, New Lexington

Cloverbud Volunteers must register teams by Friday, April 14, 2023 at: http://go.osu.edu/2023cloverbudengineeringadventure