Upcoming 4-H events including 4-H Academy; Dairy Judging, Health Career Pathways, Find your Spark, eSports SPIN Club, Speaking for IL 4-H, at home STEM and more!

4-H events

where youth learn by doing!

4-H Dairy Judging Workshop

Jan 30, 9 a.m.

Learn the basics of dairy cattle evaluation, including an introduction to delivering oral reasons. Topics: What does the ideal dairy cow look like? What traits are the most important? Should my reasons follow a certain format? What do I need to include in my reasons? How do I add detail? Contact: Melissa Irwin

Registration Deadline: January 29 at go.illinois.edu/dairyjudging.

Virtual 4-H Academy: University of Illinois Extension 4-H in Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Stark Counties present the annual 4-H Academy in a virtual format. Throughout the month of February, volunteers will share their expertise in a variety of topics during hands-on sessions youth can attend from their own home via ZOOM. Hands-on program supplies are provided and arrangements will be made for you to pick up the items at your local Extension office in Galva, Milan or Viola, Ill. Pick and choose those topics that interest you!

(Fee waivers are available for those in need. Details in registration)

Academy offerings:

Wed, Feb 10, 5 p.m. Basic Livestock Nutrition and Management (no fee) Want to take your 4-H livestock project to the next level? Learn how to construct a feeding schedule for your beef, sheep, or swine projects. Understand how your feed affects your livestock body condition and how to hit your goals! Presenter: Tyler Schleich, Kent Nutrition Group

Sat, Feb 13, 10 a.m. to noon Sewing: Hot Diggity Dog this is magic! ($5 fee)

Make a Pillow case using the “roll-sew-pull” method of construction which dramatically reveals a perfect finished edge is the MAGIC, in this project. Material and stuffing will be provided. Participants will need the following Equipment: sewing machine; scissors (or rotary cutter); pins; tape measure; ruler or yardstick; pencil, pen or fabric marker; iron; thread. Presenter: Sharee Hoegerl.

Wed Feb 17, 6:30 p.m. The Magic of Electricity! Let’s get started! ($5 fee)

We will explore the activities in the Electricity One project manual including circuits and an electromagnet. This will be a fun night of projects that you can continue on your own. We will provide the needed electric supplies and a copy of the project book. We will send you a list of “around the house items” to gather up after sign up. Presenters: David & Davin Shike.

Sat, Feb 20, 10 a.m. Cookie decorating! Basics to Beautiful! ($5 fee) Please share our love of baking and decorating cookies in an interactive demonstration of basic techniques of frosting yummy sugar cookies. You will learn about different types of frosting, the tools of the trade and the art of decorating. The best part is once you have decorated your very own cookies, you can eat and enjoy your edible art! Presenters: Kyle Lloyd & Annette Doonan.

Wed, Feb 24, 6 p.m. Doodle Art (no fee) Ever find yourself doodling on any scrap piece of paper? This class introduces how your doodles can be turned into artful masterpieces. It's fun, creative and colorful! Presenter: Lori Tharp

Thu, Feb 25, 5 p.m. Flower Arranging ($5 fee) Make a Spring Arrangement using a variety of colors of flowers! Learn how to turn an ordinary bunch of flowers into a delightful arrangement! Presented by the Aledo Flower Shop

Sat, Feb 27, 1 p.m. Jewelry Making ($5 fee) Turn everyday washers and nail polish into beautiful necklaces. These DIY Washer Necklaces are super simple, quick and fabulous to create! Presented by Lori Tharp

Support for this program is provided by:The Rock Island County Extension & 4-H Education Foundation, the Henry County 4-H Foundation and the Mercer County Extension & 4-H Foundation.

Become an Illini Summer Academies Decision Maker!

We know you’ve got great ideas ~ now make sure your voice is heard!

We are looking for 10 Illini Summer Academies Teen Alumni to be a part of our 2021 ISA Production Team. As a Production Team member, you’ll participate in monthly decision-making Zoom calls to plan this year’s 2021 4-H Virtual Illini Summer Academies. All registration fees are waived for ISA Production Team members!

If you are interested in being on the team this year, we have extended the deadline to apply to January 24, 2021. Just click the link below to submit your application!

Teen Production Team Application: https://go.illinois.edu/TeenProductionTeam1-15

Health Career Pathway Field Trip Fridays

Interested in a future career in healthcare? 4-H has a great opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to explore numerous professional pathways related to health sciences.

When: Fridays, Jan. 22, Feb. 19, Mar.12, and Apr. 16

Time: 12:30-2:30 PM

Where: Web-based/Online

Who: High School Juniors & Seniors

*Learn about health career pathways

*Hear directly from health professionals about their experiences

*Enjoy dedicated Q & A time with professionals working in the field

*See workplace culture and action

*Take virtual tours of various health-related work environments

*Emphases on employability, skill-development, and career ladders

*Cultivate the skills and perspective for a successful pathway

*Get a jump on your post-high school goals

*Gain access to resources to take the next steps

Virtual eSports SPIN Club

Starts Jan 28, 7 pm

(register by Jan 25)

Are you at least 12 years old and own a computer or gaming system? This year Illinois 4-H released a pilot curriculum focused on the growing field of electronic sports, or eSports, and we would like to pilot it with you!

Under the direction of Illinois 4-H Computer Science Innovator Eric Li, youth will be virtually guided (using Zoom) through the eSports Pilot curriculum, learn the basics of the eSports field, and learn about the hardware and software that makes eSports possible. In addition, youth will be able to play and practice their favorite games as a team, and potentially compete in one or more eSports competitions through the Spring and Summer.

Meetings begin at 7 pm on Thursday, January 28. Schedule and goals will be determined/presented in the first meeting with plans on meeting at least twice a month (and more frequently before competitions).

"Find Your Spark!" for kids 8-12

In 4-H, you learn by doing and you will have a pretty great time while you're doing it! Want to know more about what your 4-H experience might look like? Join Find Your Spark, a 6 week program taught by experienced 4-H educators. Each week will have a topic and a hands on activity for kids to do.

Sessions will be held Tuesdays at 4pm on Zoom, February 23 - March 30:

Health – Feb 23
Cultural Awareness – March 2
Creative Arts – March 9
Child Development- March 16
Animal Science – March 23
Horticulture – March 30

The six week session has a $5 fee per child. Full details at the registration link:

Speaking For Illinois 4-H Training, March 6

You love 4-H. We need you to help tell that story to the public. 4-H members received advanced training in public speaking at Speaking for Illinois 4-H trainings. They prepare you to meet with county and state elected officials, potential donors, civic groups, and new volunteers.

You'll also be the state 4-H programs voice at state legislative events, such as 4-H Legislative Connection where 4-H members visit state legislators to tell their 4-H stories and educate the legislators about the benefits of 4-H and University of Illinois Extension.

Teens ages 14 and older - attend a one-day training to be included on the Speaking for Illinois 4-H state roster. In order to remain on the roster, you must attend an update “training” via teleconference each spring. It's all hands-on and interactive. You'll then connect with your local 4-H staff to utilize your training in real-world events.

2021 National 4-H Youth Agri-Science Virtual Summit

Registration is now open for the 2021 Youth Agri-Science Virtual Summit. This is a great opportunity for high school students to develop the skills and knowledge needed for the challenges facing agriculture, food security, and sustainability. Students will work with each other and experts in the agricultural community in this collaborative, hands-on educational setting.

Registration closes on Friday, February 19th.

Contact Mark Becker with any questions at mbbecker@illinois.edu

STEM At-Home Challenges

Explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with these fun at-home challenges. STEM At-Home Challenges Click on each one to get the information.

Stop Motion Animation Challenge: Learn how to plan and make a stop animation film using a free app.

Food Science Breadmaking Challenge: Learn about the basic chemistry at work in baking bread (and enjoy the treat you make).

3-D Printing Design Challenge: Learn to use Tinkercad to design a useful object that could be 3-D printed.

Bird Identification Challenge: Learn to use your observation skills to spot and identify birds.

Plant Observation Challenge: Learn about and record seasonal plant changes from your own yard.

Bridge Building Challenge: Build and “bust” bridges out of paper, building bricks or Popsicle sticks.

Junk Drawer Mechanics Challenge: Design and build your own moving vehicle with junk drawer and household items.

Paper Roller Coaster Challenge: Design and build a paper marble maze coaster.

Rube Goldberg Challenge: Build your own chain reaction contraption with supplies from around your house.

Computer Coding Challenge: Explore the world of Scratch coding to create a cool animation project using free software.

Content created by Amy Henschen and Donna Nuger, Extension Educators, DuPage, Kane and Kendall Counties.

Serving Henry, Mercer, Rock Island & Stark Counties

Visit our website

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact us at uie-hmrs@illinois.edu

Early requests are strongly encouraged.