Monday, July 18, 2022, 9 a.m.
Week five starts with a read-aloud of “Say Something” by Peter H. Reynolds. Tara Curtis, director of marketing and communications at WVU Extension, kicks off this sweet story read by the WVU Extension communications team! Then we pass it over to two 4-H’ers, Megan and Vivian, to talk about climate change. They discuss how to organize and participate in meaningful activism. West Virginia State Senate representative and Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin even makes an appearance to talk about how youth can get in contact with their legislators. Next, Joe Obidzinski, program coordinator and historian at WVU Jackson’s Mill, leads us through the long history of how Jackson’s Mill became the hub for West Virginia 4-H camps. He also guides us on a tour of parts of the campus and explains how the buildings got their names.
Tuesday, July 19, 2022, 9 a.m.
Ready, player one! Today we’re learning all about esports and WVU’s champion team. WVU Esports Director Josh Steger explains the team’s training schedule and how esports are different from other traditional sports. Then we head back to Jackson’s Mill for some more “Run of the Mill” history with program coordinator and historian Joe Obidzinski. Today, he teaches us about grist milling and how the mill that is currently at WVU Jackson’s Mill made its way to where it sits today. Fun fact: It took nine years to move it from its original home! We even get a demonstration of how the mill functions to close out today’s episode.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 9 a.m.
It’s stargazing time! Director of the WVU Planetarium and associate professor Kathryn Williamson tells us all about the planetarium and telescopes on campus and how they’re used for education, research and recreation. Staying on theme, Heather, a West Virginia 4-H’er and STEM ambassador, teaches us how to make a pocket solar system. This activity illustrates the size of our solar system and the distance between each planet. For this activity, you will need a roll of receipt paper, scissors and a pencil.
Thursday, July 21, 2022, 9 a.m.
Today we’re learning all about the creepy crawlies in the world around us. Elizabeth Rowen, a service assistant professor of entomology, guides us on a tour of WVU’s insect zoo, getting up close and personal with some tarantulas, scorpions and more. Next, 4-H youth and development agent Jocelyn Crawford teaches us all about what makes up an ecosystem and shows us how to make one in a jar! For this activity, all you need is a jar, a scoop of water from an outdoor water source, like a creek or pond, and objects around the water source, like leaves or rocks. Then we jump back to Elizabeth Rowen to go on a scavenger hunt for insects that you can find in your own backyard.
Friday, July 22, 2022, 9 a.m.
Each Friday, we visit Ms. Amie's farm for "Learn, Grow, Eat and Go." This week, our WVU Extension Family Nutrition Program health educator Amie Tutor teaches kids all about brussels sprouts. Then it’s story time with a reading of “Leaves” by David Ezra Stein. Next, FNP health educator Noel Mitchell brings us to the farmer’s market to get ingredients to make some yummy drinks. For apple cinnamon water, you will need your choice of apples, and one cinnamon stick per gallon of water. For watermelon rosemary water, you only need chopped watermelon and a few sprigs of rosemary. Then, FNP health educator Shannon Ritchie leads play time with dinosaurs, a fun physical activity. After working up an appetite, FNP health educator Molly Poffenbarger cooks a yummy healthy snack, brussels sprout chips. For this recipe, you will need brussels sprouts, olive oil, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Donnie Tenney, owner of Appalachian Acres, shows us how and where he grows microgreens. Lastly, manager of the Sweet Springs water facility Mabel Cox recounts the company's origins and gives a quick tour of their water is bottled.