During this time of social distancing, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension staff across the state have come together to offer Georgia 4-H programming in an online format. A collection of Southwest District Extension staff has created 4-H New Adventures in Learning Distantly (NAIL'D It) to offer free educational and entertaining virtual lessons to the public.
“With the COVID-19 canceling traditional programming, I wanted to find a way to deliver programing to youth in a virtual format,” said Jazmin Thomas, Dougherty County Extension 4-H Agent. “There were a lot of opportunities for youth available already, but I wanted to provide something more interactive and live.”
The 4-H NAIL'D It series covers a variety of topics within agriculture, STEM and healthy living. Some topics have included peanuts as a Georgia commodity, mechanics and engineering of bottle rockets, Master Gardener Sprouts curriculum and fitness during sheltering-in-place.
“One of the neatest parts of 4-H NAIL'D It is the optional hands-on portion,” added Thomas. “Most of the materials needed are common household items and the instructors provide step-by-step instructions for the lesson to allow youth to actively participate.”
Each lesson includes a live, interactive component targeted for youth in grades four through 12. So far, more than 2,000 youth have participated in the monthly series of lessons.
The lessons are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:00 PM via Zoom and are led by a 4-H leader or teen leader. These series will continue until regular, in-person 4-H programming resumes.
To join the 4-H NAIL'D It lessons or to review previous lessons, visit the Georgia 4-H Southwest District Facebook page, facebook.com/GA4HSWD.
Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 242,000 people annually through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities. For more information, visit georgia4h.org.