Ohio 4-H Highlights: December 2019

In Stark County, 4-H STEM activities were the focus in school, out of school, at a housing community, and with other youth-serving organizations.

David Crawford, 4-H Educator, reports more than 650 youth participated in STEM programs (during the 2019 calendar year) that included Chick Quest, ten-minute science activities, and Rockets Away. In addition to increasing their subject-area knowledge, students developed an understanding of a wide variety of STEM careers. 

Both adult and teen volunteers were trained to facilitate activities. Eleven teens learned how to teach the Chick Quest curriculum at the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility. The training led Indian River administrators to request more 4-H involvement at the facility with additional STEM activities, 4-H Pet Pals visits and career education.

The STEM activities will continue at these locations and more, thanks to an Ohio 4-H Foundation grant that helped start it all.

Youth were excited to participate in the 4-H Chick Quest Program as demonstrated by their following comments: 

• “Are there chickens in there?”  (in the egg)
• “Can you eat those…?”
• “I can’t believe they came out the shell…”
•  “This is awesome…I can’t believe they really popped out!”
• “Can I hold one?”

Click here to find more information on Ohio 4-H School Enrichment activities. 

Each month we highlight an Ohio 4-H alum. They have amazing stories to share, from their personal experience in 4-H to how they have given back to the program. This month we feature Lynn E. Elfner, a newly-elected member of the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board and alum from Delaware County.

If you happen to spot a 4-H license plate reading “Greene,” you’ll know you are driving behind Lynn Elfner, a 4-H alum from Delaware County and the newest member of the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board. 

“More than any other organization, 4-H helped develop my personal and group interrelation skills, meeting management skills, and communication skills, as well as content knowledge in natural resources,” said Elfner. Those skills stayed with him through his early career as a conservation teacher at 4-H Camp Palmer and middle school science teacher in Mt. Orab. A Master’s degree from The Ohio State University followed his teaching career and led to the next job he held for more than 40 years. 

As the CEO of the Ohio Academy of Science, Elfner worked tirelessly to promote science collaborations with state agencies, businesses, educators and legislators. Many also benefitted from numerous initiatives he implemented including the Ohio Environmental Science Scholarship program, strong women in science efforts and expansion of State Science Day for thousands of young Ohioans. Following years of work, Elfner was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from Ohio Northern University.

His impact on Ohio 4-H was most notable in 2008, when he convinced the General Assembly to provide $700,000 for a joint venture between the Ohio Academy of Science and 4-H. Nine new STEM 4-H clubs were created to inspire the next generation of scientist through hands-on learning.

“In addition to providing annual financial support to the foundation, I plan to assure a legacy gift from my estate,” he remarked. 

And that “Greene” license plate? Those personalized plates are a salute to Elfner’s 4-H roots and a tribute to the Greeneview 4-H Conservation Club where he was a charter member in the sixth grade.