Quality Lessons, Trusted Partners
North Carolina 4-H is proud to provide educators of all kinds with high-quality, research-based teaching materials. We specialize in translating cutting-edge university research in
- science,
- engineering,
- technology,
- math,
- agriculture,
- health, and
- civic engagement
into lesson plans and STEM units that feature hands-on, experiential learning and an interdisciplinary approach to real-world problems for elementary, middle, and high school-aged youth. All of our materials:
- Are designed by content area experts from North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University
- Undergo a rigorous vetting process, including field tests and revisions
- Are aligned to North Carolina and National K-12 educational standards
Check out the For Educators pages to find your next lesson idea!
What We Offer
Unlike many internet sites, we offer you more than an activity guide. Our website includes virtual field trips, videos, interactive games, ideas for adapting lessons, and more. We also provide you with an educational partner: your local North Carolina 4-H agent.
Every county in North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has its own 4-H agent. Our agents are all trained experts who can help you bring our curriculum to life, whether you are working with a school, after-school care, camp, or community group.
Sample Materials
Visit the For Educators page to browse our full collection.
Seed Roll
Watch the effects of seed distribution as you spread seeds in…
Nature Adventures: Sharks Teeth and Fossils
In this session, youth will learn where to find fossils as well…
Nature Adventures: Nature Crafts
Youth will explore this decades-old, mature beaver pond habitat,…
Nature Adventures: Stories in the Stars Astronomy
Youth will explore the vibrant ecology of Albemarle Sound, learning…
Nature Adventures: Pine Forest Ecology
In this session, students will explore this unique pine forest…
Nature Adventures: Beaver Pond Explorations
Youth will explore this decades-old, mature beaver pond habitat,…
Nature Adventures: Coastal Ecology
Youth will explore the vibrant ecology of Albemarle Sound, learning…
Rainbow in a Jar
Youth investigate the density of various liquids to create a…
Tornado in a Bottle
Youth will create a small tornado that they can interact with…
Become a Baker!
Youth become bakers while learning about chemical changes that…
Magic Magnets
Youth create magnetic slime and then watch it come alive while…
Moon Keeps Turning
Youth investigate moon phases while creating an edible version…
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
Youth observe and measure rain by creating and using their own…
What’s the Matter
Youth explore different states of matter and watch them change…
Score!!
Youth investigate laws of force and motion while playing with…
Pizza Garden Fun
Youth will observe the plant life cycle and then use the herb…
Go Away, Germs!
Learn about the spread of germs and how washing your hands with…
Fun with Fizz
Youth will be able to observe and create a chemical change while…
Ecosystem Jungle
Youth will explore producers, consumers, and decomposers as they…
It’s Electric
Youth will learn about static electricity using simple materials…
Good Vibrations – The Science of Sound
Youth will create their own instruments and investigate the science…
Candy Rocks, Rock Identification
Youth will create their own edible rocks while exploring geo…
Blast into Summer
Youth will create their own rocket and use the force of their…
Balloon Powered Car
Youth will explore the idea of wind energy and Newton’s 3rd Law…
Frequently Asked Questions
Find your local NC 4-H agent and additional opportunities provided by NC Cooperative Extension in your county through our Extension website.
We offer professional development throughout the year. Educators and 4-H Club leaders can participate in professional development by working with their local 4-H agent.
Joining 4-H is easy! Registration is done through the 4-H agent in your county. Contact your local 4-H agent about the program or curriculum that interests you and they can help you get started..
If you live outside of North Carolina, these virtual opportunities are available through our contact the NC 4-H Curriculum Team.
All of the North Carolina 4-H materials on this site are available for FREE through your NC 4-H Agent. If you are a teacher or 4-H club leader in North Carolina, reach out to your county’s agent today to learn more.
If you are outside NC or would like to purchase a curriculum that includes access to the paired assets on this site, our titles are available on Amazon and UNC Press. For more information, please see our Terms of Service page.
Materials tagged “Access-Open” are freely accessible. To access password-protected materials, please contact your local NC 4-H agent.
If you are outside NC or would like to purchase a curriculum with access to the paired assets on this site, our titles are available on Amazon and UNC Press. For more information, please see our Terms of Service page.
At NC 4-H, we believe that curriculum development should be a collaborative effort. The NC 4-H Curriculum Development Model emphasizes feedback from university researchers, educational experts, teachers, facilitators, parents, and youth throughout the development process. On-going evaluation helps ensure that our materials incorporate current best practices in education and up-to-date content knowledge while also remaining easy to use and engaging.
NC State University offers several curriculum-based programs which include professional development, full-time support, and evaluation. You can find more information about those programs on this website under the For Educators tab.
NC 4-H also offers larger-scale programs for youth across North Carolina including Civic Engagement, Youth Leadership, STEM, Healthy Living, and many more. To learn more about NC 4-H and how to get your youth involved, check out the NC 4-H Website or contact your local 4-H agent.
Testimonials
This has been a strange year to say the least, but 4-H curriculum definitely helped get me through! I have always been a very hands-on project-based learning type classroom teacher and using 4-H curriculum as my guide, I was able to still provide that kind of experience to my students during remote learning! JMG/LIT, Winged Wonders, and Vermicomposting helped me connect to my students and keep them interested even if they could not be there in person. Plus it was a great way for me to explore my own teaching methodology since the leader's guides were so well laid out with detailed lessons, standards, background information, and student pages. The best part is that when students return for in-person instruction, they will be able to jump right in with hands-on projects using what they learned remotely with 4-H curriculum. My amazing local 4-H agent (Sally Dixon) helped me plan for using the curriculum as well as providing training and materials to help bring the curriculum to life! She was always there to help me work through issues that popped up and made sure that any adaptations I made for remote learning still held up under the tenants and requirements of 4-H. Thank you, 4-H for helping me stay calm and focused in a time of chaos and uncertainty!