Picking Wild Flowers

This was my last week with Region 15 Clover University. We wrapped up Iowa, Johnson, and Washington #CloverU camps with Messy Science Sensations.

62 pre-kindergarten to first grade campers explored slime, bubbling lava lamps, alka seltzer, food coloring dispersed in milk, and elephant tooth paste.

What is elephant tooth paste you ask!?

Peroxide, food coloring, hot water, dish soap, and yeast. Adding the yeast last creates the peroxide to rise and pour out the top in a “toothpaste” like manner. The kids loved this experiment. One asked if he could try brushing his teeth with it. 😉

Let me tell you! 62 five year old campers have loads and loads of energy. If only I was a kid again…

Oh trust me… I got my fair share of experiments and fun in this week. Here is my marshmallow tower that I built in Iowa County (reminiscing on the good ol’days when I was at camp haha).

I asked the kids at the end of the day if they liked science and if they could see it as something they continued to explore. Many of the campers agreed they have a love for discovery.

Where is that point in our lives when we get to busy to experiment with our curiosity. Where does it transition from fun to work?

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) based curriculum encourages students to be open minded as they enter all levels of school. Making it more fun and interesting to all ages.  I have seen the goals of STEM in action and I am completely on board with the missions of 4-H and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

I have enjoyed getting to work with all three counties. I have a lot of respect for those who work with students. Each camper has a unique personality and background that they bring to the day camps. It is rewarding to watch an idea click and to see learning take place.

Starting next week I will begin Washington Summer Day Camps. Be sure to stay tuned for Bug Mania, Parachute, Oceans Deep, and Babysitting updates.

This week’s #CloverU Camp was right up my ally! It really tested my teaching abilities as I dug into plant science with second and third graders. Horticulture is my area of interest within my major at Iowa State University. Reading, studying, and testing over the topic was a piece of cake compare to explaining it in a way that would make sense to those who have never heard of the terms: germinate, embryo, and photosynthesis.

I can feel myself growing from a seed to a sunflower with each opportunity I am granted as I express my passion for agriculture. The campers might be exploring the topic but I am learning just as much from them as they are from me!

This summer has really heighted my love for agriculture. Getting kids outside and exploring nature this week is just what we need in a world surrounded by technology. Unplugging and really “Digging Deep” into a topic that feeds, clothes, and provides for us.

One of my campers at Iowa County brought this plant up to me and asked why the corn was blue. It gave me an opportunity to explain why seeds are often pretreated and how it helps to decrease the amount of chemicals applied to the soil. It also gave me a chance to explain where the roots and shoots begin to grow from the seed.

Speaking of seed growth- can you find the embryo, cotyledon, and seed coat? #CloverU Campers can now point and explain all three to you!

Embryo: Beginning of a new plant.

Cotyledon: Provides food for the embryo.

Seed Coat: Protects the seed.

Next week is Messy Science Sensations. Stay tuned for more. Have a great weekend! 🙂

This week’s #CloverU theme had me thinking about the antibiotic misconceptions in today’s food industry. Vet Science  Camp was conducted in Johnson, Iowa, and Washington Counties. Both farm and city kids participated in the day camp. #CloverU is open to everyone who has an interest in learning about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

41 campers studied the signs of stress and illness, what to do in situations of panic, and how to properly handle an animal. We began the camp by comparing the stomach of a human to a ruminant. Did you know cows have 4 chambers and that is why they can graze grass and humans can’t? (I am still in my teaching mode haha).

Looking at the difference between intramuscular and subcutaneous injecions; the kids gave blue food coloring shots to bananas.

After learning how to give injections to an animal; the campers looked at labels and discovered the importance of dosage, expirations, and uses. Lilly looked at her bottle and asked me, “what is a withdraw period?”

I asked Lilly, “when you take medicine at home do you have to wait a few hours before the Tylenol is out of your system to take it again?” She of answered yes and asked it if was similar in animals. “Do the antibiotics leave their systems too?”

A withdraw period is the length of time the farmer has to wait after giving a medication to an animal before taking it to market. Animals have to be cleared of antibiotics before being butchered due to the risk it proposes to humans.

Records are an important part of this process as they are required by sale barns.

The campers wanted to see how the medication leaves our systems over time so we did an experiment to demonstrate this principal. Katie is holding a test tube filled with sodium Hydroxide. I added a pH test solution to her tube which turned the liquid pink. The kids each took turns taking part of the solution from the person’s tube in front of them.

The antibiotic residue leaves the body until it is completely out of the system. Our bodies use it up until we have utilized it all.

After being a veterinarian in training; the kids were ready to play with real animals! We asked the 4-Hers to share with the campers how to care for the animals, signs of stress, and how to handle the rabbit properly.

Stay tuned for more on #CloverU. Have a great weekend and remember to make your own decisions when it comes to our food system. Farmers care!

Working with three different extension offices this summer is allowing me to observe many empowering county projects. Today Washington County Extension held a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day.

Seeing the kids excited about Farm Safety put a huge smile on my face. Kids are craving the opportunities to learn and this is the prime age for them to absorb all of the information placed in front of them.

Green: Green for 4-H, Green for Clover Kids, Green for Clover University, and Green for Innovative, Inventive, and Energy. Green is a reoccurring theme throughout Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Amy Green, WA County Youth Coordinator, even has the last name “Green” as she holds up her hand and says 1, 2, 3, 4H to get the youth’s attention.

Today’s #FarmSafety topics covered equipment safety, disability awareness, gun and PTO safety, hand washing, stranger safety, 1st aid station, and sun, mower, and chemical safety.

Washington County invited a special guest to visit with the kids before lunch. Kaj O’Mara with KCRG weather safety and the mobile weather lab talked with the students about being weather prepared at all times.

Does this look like a typical Iowa day or what!? Haha it might be just my imagination but its very possible that Iowa’s temperature will raise from 34 to 91 degrees in one week. The kids sure had a laugh!!

After lunch the sessions continued with chemical safety. A farm scene was drawn to show chemical drift. Spraying might affect the apple trees, the barns, or even “Sally’s” bike. It is important to be aware of drift potential and the dangers posed to applicators.

The office was buzzing with excitement from morning to afternoon. The kids walked away with #Safety bags, an “All Aboard the Safety Train” t-shirt, and curious minds as they continue to learn about #FarmSafety through actions on their own family farms.

Now GO and be GREEN for #safety; 4-H style!

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Welcome to a world where I as an adult get to make messy slime and lava lamps, travel jungle explorations, and get to be a veterinarian for a day! I introduce you to #CloverU; a pre-kindergarten to 5th grade adventure.

Follow #CloverU and Picking Wild Flowers this summer to see the crazy, awesome lessons we have planned! We are still taking registrations so be sure to sign your kids up today (Johnson, Washington, or Iowa County)! I feel empowered to spike a love for agriculture and science in others.

Clover University has been inspired by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). All of the camps are designed to meet one of the topics listed. I have been busy planning away and here is what the summer has to hold:

Vet Science Camp (Grades 4 and 5)

Vet Science Camp will be filled with black lights, germ glow, banana shots, and ruminant stimulations. Kids will learn how to read/administer feed and medication labels while enjoying a fun “feed mix” snack. We might just bring in live animals to play with! 😉

Digging Deeper (Grades 2 and 3)

Digging Deeper kids will begin their day with Nature Bingo and a walk around the fair grounds/park. Camp goers can expect to test taste vegetables/seeds and to learn how plants grow. To really experience what it is like to garden; kids will plant their own sunflower to take home. Sunflowers are annual so don’t worry parents; it is only one season!

Messy Science Sensations Camp (Grades K and 1)

I had some fun in the office this week! I tested all of the experiments to make sure I was a pro! k-1st grade kids will love getting messy with slime and lava lamps! Messy Science Sensations is all about using 4 of our 5 senses (nose, touch, ears, and sight).

Kids will really dive into their imagination as they become scientists! The goal of the camp is to peak curiosity in the world around them.

Washington Camps (k-5th)

July and August I will spend some time preparing camps for Washington County. Be sure to check out the Washington County Extension and Outreach site for more information. Camps include Babysitting Education, Jungle, Bug Mania, Parachutes, and Oceans of Fun. Stay tuned for more!

Have a great weekend everyone!