4-H in the Schools: Expanding Learning Beyond the Classroom
Union County 4-H in the Schools is growing in exciting ways, extending learning beyond the classroom and into real-world applications. In March, 4-H Agent Crystal Starkes, alongside County Extension Director Andrew Baucom and Gena Moore at Wingate University, hosted the first-ever Farm to Table Professional Development Training for current and future AgTech cluster schools. This event brought together experts from various fields, including Livestock Agent Rachel Owens, Soil & Water Educator Breanna Walker, students from Wingate University’s Food Systems program, Doug Vernon from the Plants for Human Health Institute, Dr. Lauren Baucom, and Sarah Dinger from the Plant Sciences Initiative. Through hands-on workshops, K-12 educators gained valuable tools to seamlessly integrate AgTech concepts into their classrooms. The overwhelmingly positive feedback has sparked plans for an upcoming summer farm tour series to continue bridging the gap between agriculture and education.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a 4-H Agent is bringing hands-on, innovative learning experiences to students of all ages. This March, Starkes introduced 4th graders at Porter Ridge Elementary School to “Robots for Environmental Change: Reducing Human Impact.” Using LEGO Spike Robots, students programmed their robots to navigate from the perimeter of a drone image to an impacted location, reinforcing STEM skills while exploring real-world environmental challenges. Meanwhile, students at Wingate Elementary School wrapped up a year of robotics and coding lessons that connected technology with agriculture, sparking curiosity and problem-solving skills.
