Explore Your Spark!
                    Environmental Science Project
                                                                                                                         Inspire Kids to Do
                                                                                                                     Explore
                                                                                                                    “I might like to do this.” 
                                                                                                                    Youth who explore a variety of 
                                                                                                                    interests before high school, through 
                                                                                                                    experiences like 4-H camps and 
                                                                                                                    educational events, can develop early 
                                                                                                                    interest in a career path and improve 
                                                                                                                    their academic performance. 
                                                                                                                     Learn
                                                                                                                    “I can do this.”
                                                                                                                    4-H project-based learning, guided by 
                                                                                                                    adult volunteers, improves youth  
                                                                                                                    understanding of skills and concepts, 
                                                                                                                    as well as their ability to problem- 
           Does the natural world fascinate you? Do you want to know more about how nature,  solve and collaborate.
           its resources, and how we as humans interact with it and care for it? Then consider 
           exploring the Environmental Science project! From the food we eat, to the clothes                         Practice
           we wear, to the air we breathe, the natural environment affects us daily. You pick 
           the topic and then learn and make a difference. Become active in your community,                          “I’m interested in this.” 
           school, club, and home with your newfound knowledge of the environment.                                   Youth who have participated in 
                                                                                                                     sustained hands-on learning and 
                  Starting Out                     Learning More                  Expanding Horizons                 engaged with professional mentors 
                                                                                                                     and volunteers before entering high 
                     Beginner                       Intermediate                         Advanced                    school are more likely to explore 
                                                                                                                     studies and potential career paths.
             • Find a local nature trail        • Explore a local stream           • Visit and report to 
              to hike. Observe and               (with permission) to find          your club about a local 
              document the sights,               and identify macroin-              wastewater treatment or           Experience
              sounds, and smells!                vertebrates and their              recycling center.
             • Create a collection of            relationship to water             • Shadow a local environ-        “I will be this.”
              tree leaves. Try and iden-         quality.                           mental professional.            Real-world application is key — 91% 
              tify them.                        • Plan and plant a pollina-        • Track your home utilities      of Kansas 4-H members have a plan 
             • Research where your               tor garden.                        and their impact on the         for reaching their goals. Youth that 
              electricity comes from.           • Plan a recycling program          environment.                    have been active participants in 
              Go on trip to see where            for your home or club.                                             hands-on learning, combined with 
              it begins and the path it                                                                             strong decision-making skills, are 
              takes to you.                                                                                         more able to effectively navigate life.
                               Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
           Environmental Science Project                                                                                    Career Development
           Expand Your Experiences!                                                                                         • Visit a nature center or park and 
           Healthy Living                                                                                                    visit with the environmentalist.
              •  Lead an outdoor hike for club members at local park or nature trail.                                       • Volunteer at a nature center or zoo.
              •  Test your drinking water and other local sources to identify its contents.                                 • Ask to shadow an environmental 
                                                                                                                             scientist, for example, a biologist, 
           Science and Agriculture                                                                                           environmental engineer, or soil 
              •  Investigate the life cycles of flora and fauna.                                                             conservationist.
              •  Create an aquarium or terrarium to highlight a local environment.                                          • Attend an environmental confer-
                                                                                                                             ence or educational event.
              •  Create or assist with an apiary (beehive) operation.                                                       • Research and attend a university 
              •  Combine with horticulture by planting an environmentally friendly garden.                                   experience visit.
           Community Vitality                                                                                             Local Contact Information
              •  Research an environmental issue and prepare a presentation to government 
                officials for resolution.
              •  Lead a local park or natural area clean-up or adopt a highway.
              •  Plan and conduct an energy fair for younger kids.
           Communication and the Arts
              •  Create an arts project using all-natural materials. Identify each item used.
              •  Present environmental projects to local 4-H clubs, schools, or civic groups.
              •  Write a poem documenting your experience exploring the natural world.
                       Resources                               Curriculum                       4-H Record Keeping                     Project Exhibit Ideas
                      and Events                            and Resources
             Participating in educational            Project materials to assist             Learning to keep accurate                • Reuse your family’s food 
             events and learning oppor-              youth in learning may be                records is a life skill.  The fol-        scraps by building a com-
             tunities will expand your               available through your local            lowing forms can help you:                posting bin.
             knowledge and skills in the             extension office or you can              • Setting 4-H Project Goals             • Create artwork using nat-
             project area.  Contact your             order directly.                            (4H1100)                               ural objects. Explain how 
             local K-State Research and              Exploring Your Environment                                                        the objects are connected.
             Extension office for local              (4-H Mall)                               • Kansas 4-H Record Keep-
             opportunities.  Take part in:                                                      ing                                   • Develop a workshop on 
              • Club project meetings                  • Ecosystem Services                                                            planting pollinator or 
                                                        (08410)                                                                        monarch habitat.
              • County Fair                            • Earth’s Capacity (08411)                                                     • Create an informational 
              • Judging events                         • Facilitator Guide (08412)                                                     poster about an environ-
              • Wildlife Habitat Education                                                                                             mental topic.
               Program  (WHEP)
              • Kansas Association for               Projects Wet, Wild, and 
               Conservation & Environ-               Learning Tree
               mental Education  (KACEE)
              • Rangeland Camp
                                                           Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
                                                           K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance 
                                                           of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. De-
                                                           partment of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County 
                                                           Extension Councils, Extension Districts.                                  4H1139    January 2021