The official Ohio 4-H Spark EXPO registration is now open and will be available through April 17, 2024.

From June 12-15, teens at the Spark EXPO will learn about agriculture and related STEAM fields from industry experts, and faculty and staff of the Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). Open to all Ohio students who have completed the eighth grade or ninth grade at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year. Participants do not need to be enrolled in the 4-H program. The event includes on-campus accommodations, meals, program materials, and transportation. Supervision is provided by adult program staff.

As part of Spark EXPO, students visit Ohio State’s Columbus and Wooster campuses and learn from Ohio State students, teachers, scientists, and researchers. Students explore careers, hear from Ohio 4-H alumni who share their career stories, and learn about the college and career-readiness program: Ohio 4-H Pathways to the Future.

Parents will have the opportunity on the final day of Spark to meet the CFAES admissions team and learn how to better prepare their students for their post-high school education and careers. Parents and students can find more information here or by contacting Margo Overholt-Seckel, program manager, Ohio 4-H Workforce Development & Pathways at overholt-seckel.1@osu.edu.

The deadline to register is April 17, and details are at go.osu.edu/4hsparkexpo.

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to announce we are hosting an ExploreAg Day Camp at Hocking College on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sample agenda)
Cost: FREE
Who: Any Ohio high school student interested in exploring agriculture career opportunities.
Purpose: Discover careers linked to agriculture and related STEM fields through a series of immersive and hands-on experiences and tours.
Registration: Register by Nov. 1.

Participation is FREE for attendees, and space is limited to the first 30 students registered. Attendees will be responsible for securing their own transportation to and from camp.

About ExploreAg

• ExploreAg is Ohio Farm Bureau’s signature ag literacy and workforce development program, offering FREE week, multi-day and day-long immersion programs for high-school students.
• In ExploreAg, teens learn about agriculture and related STEM fields from industry experts, scientists and educators.

Questions or concerns can be directed to info@exploreag.org

Register at here.

Warm regards,

Mary Klopfenstein
ExploreAg & Ag Literacy Coordinator
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation

Hosted by the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), Pre-Vet Day is for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in becoming a veterinarian!

This event is an opportunity for students to tour the Veterinary Medical Center learning facilities on Ohio State’s campus and to learn more about the undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences and the Ohio State admissions process. This event will include:

• Tours of the food animal, equine, and companion animal areas
• Interactions with current veterinary students and veterinarians
• Overview of the undergraduate Animal Sciences major in CFAES
• Undergraduate admissions overview
• Optional CFAES campus tour

Details: Saturday, Oct 28, 2023, from 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. with optional CFAES campus tour ending at 4:00 p.m.

Location: Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center

Registration closes on 10/22 at 12 p.m. Register Here!

OHIO 4-H IS ONE OF THE FIRST. Ohio is one of the first 4-H programs to offer this opportunity to high school students in the nation! However, it didn’t start there. Since 2021, The Ohio State University ATI was among the first 20 colleges in the nation to offer the Work Ethic Certification, and the first in Ohio. For more information, visit: https://ohio4h.org/workforce-development/mrw-work-ethic-certification

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

In 2008, Mike Rowe created the mikeroweWORKS Foundation to launch a national PR campaign for skilled labor. When Mike started the foundation, he wanted to find a way to articulate the qualities he values most. He ended up writing the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge, which stands for “Skill and Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo.” The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge consists of 12 statements that outline the importance of four pillars—work ethic, personal responsibility, delayed gratification, and a positive attitude.

TECHNICAL SKILLS HELP YOU GET THE JOB, WORK ETHIC HELPS YOU KEEP THE JOB.

The MRW Work Ethic Certification focuses on the 12 statements of the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge. Each statement has a story, and each story comes from Mike’s personal experience working with entrepreneurs and hardworking people across the country. Through this program, we break down the origin of each statement in 12 lessons and explore why we believe every student and worker can benefit from embracing this pledge, regardless of their job or skill set.

VIRTUAL COURSE

Open to all Ohio high school youth.

Dates: Every Monday and Wednesday from September 18 – October 4
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Must be able to attend all sessions. Registration is due September 8. Limited to 20 participants.

Students in 11th and 12th grades are invited to participate in the Ohio State Vet Camp on August 8th. To register, scan the QR code or visit go.osu.edu/vetcamp.