Welcome to NC 4-H’s Curriculum Space!
We are so glad that you choose to visit our site. This website provides educators and 4-H volunteers with high-quality, research-based educational materials for youth aged 5 through 18. All of our materials:
- Are designed by content area specialists from North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University
- Feature the most up-to-date, cutting-edge research available
- Undergo a rigorous vetting process, including field pilots and revisions
- Are aligned to North Carolina and National K-12 educational standards
Check out the For Educators pages to explore our materials.
Educator Resources
Welcome to our hub for virtual learning content. We have a wide variety of online materials and activities that are matched to a 4-H Curriculum or content-based experience. Below is a sample of what we offer. Visit our For Educators page to learn more.
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.
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.
If you live outside of North Carolina, these virtual opportunities are available through our NC 4-H Curriculum Team. Contact us at nc4-Hcurriculum@ncsu.edu.
Periodically, professional development is offered on 4-H Curricula. Educators and 4-H Club leaders can participate in professional development by working with their local 4-H agent.
Curriculum within NC 4-H provides an instructional map and educational materials for use by educators and students in multiple delivery modes to guide students’ learning.
The NC 4-H Curriculum Development Team tested and refined a curriculum development model that incorporates research-based content from the university level into a comprehensive field-tested curriculum package and includes evaluation from inception to delivery to review.
This model builds on the principles and best practices in the field of education and allows for the finished curriculum to be dynamic and responsive to changes in content knowledge. For more information about this model and the process of NC 4-H Curriculum Development check out this resource:
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.
North Carolina 4-H is devoted to creating outstanding research-based educational materials for youth in NC. These materials are offered for FREE to educators across NC. If you are a teacher or 4-H club leader in NC, there is no cost for materials on this site if you work with your 4-H Agent.
If you are outside NC, please email the NC 4-H Curriculum Team for more information, at nc4-Hcurriculum@ncsu.edu.
For materials that are not automatically downloadable from this site, please contact your local NC 4-H agent either by phone or email.
If you are outside NC, please email the NC 4-H Curriculum Team at nc4-Hcurriculum@ncsu.edu
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!
Our science teachers have had the opportunity to attend 4-H professional development on topics ranging from ecosystems to robotics, to pollinators, and more that have provided us with lessons and activities to use in our classrooms and engage our students.