WVSU 4-H

07/13/2026

Congratulations to Linzie and Christine on this wonderful accomplishment !

Congratulations to WVSU 4-H Educators Linzie Farmer and Christine Kinder, winners of the Expanding the 4-H Audience: Creating Opportunities 4 All Award for the Northeast Region of the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP)!

The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding effort and accomplishments in achieving, expanding and/or sustaining opportunities for all in the NAE4-HYDP organization, programs, and/or audiences.

Their efforts included the Classroom Creators program, which advances education for students with autism through engaging, hands-on STEAM experiences.

06/30/2026

A huge thank you to Dr. Tyler Skidmore, Neurologist at Thomas Memorial Hospital, for spending time with our Mind Marvel Neuroscience Camp students!

Dr. Skidmore gave students an inside look at what it's like to work in the intriguing field of neurology, answered thoughtful questions during an engaging Q&A session, and led an interactive demonstration that brought neuroscience to life.

We are grateful for your expertise.

06/22/2026

What an incredible week at our Yellow Jacket CyberDefender Summer Camp!

Students spent the week tackling cybersecurity challenges, exploring coding and technology, collaborating with peers, and developing the skills needed to become the next generation of digital defenders. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and determination made this camp a tremendous success.

Thank you to our campers, families, instructors, and partners for making this experience so memorable! We loved watching these young innovators learn, grow, and have fun!

We are especially grateful to the Kanawha County Commission, whose generous support made this camp possible, and to the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium for donating supplies that helped make the camp an even better experience for our students. We truly appreciate the investments made to inspire the next generation of STEM innovators!

05/15/2026

West Virginia youth are invited to participate in a free, one-day program at West Virginia State University on July 30. Activities include robotics, nature, cooking, and more.

Location: WVSU Campus (IREB Building,200 Avenue A )

Participants: Rising 4th - 8th Graders, Fall 2026

Cost: FREE!

Applications are due by June 14. Space is limited.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/fy9PDy4cXdnHmZwf9

Questions? Contact Eli Ghareeb at [email protected] or 304-204-4339

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

05/15/2026

Every Thursday in May, WVSU 4-H has hosted a sewing class at Valley Park in Hurricane.

During our first week, youth learned the basics of using a sewing machine.

This week, they put those skills to work by making pillowcases for the children’s hospital. Each youth chose three fabrics and learned how to piece them together, sew straight seams, and create something useful with their own hands.

Sewing may feel like a lost art to some, but skills like this still matter. Youth are learning patience, problem-solving, creativity, independence, and the pride that comes from making something themselves.

The best part? Several kids took home extra fabric sets so they could keep sewing on their own. One child shared that she wanted to make more pillowcases at home to donate so no kids in the hospital would be left out.

One mom also shared that her son received a handmade pillowcase when he was hospitalized as a child, and she still has it.

That is why hands-on learning matters.

This class was not just about sewing pillowcases. It was about teaching a life skill, building confidence, and helping youth see that something they make can bring comfort to someone else.

The best way to learn is by doing, and these kids are doing something pretty special.

Super thanks to Valley Park for hosting this class for the whole month!

05/09/2026

Today, we are celebrating more than a graduation.

We are celebrating perseverance, growth, and a young leader who has worked hard to become exactly who she set out to be.

Congratulations to Hailey Saxton, who graduates today from
West Virginia State University with her bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness.

Hailey has been part of WVSU 4-H for the past several years. She first connected with 4-H through a summer 2022 intership opportunity. Then went on to Ignite 4-H in early 2023, and since then, she has continued to grow as a student worker, educator, advocate, and leader.

Her journey was not always easy or perfectly straight. She stepped away, continued her education, came back, and finished what she started. That determination says so much about who she is.

One of Hailey’s ongoing projects has been the pollinator habitat at Meeks Mountain, and it is fitting that her first event after graduation will bring families together to learn, explore, and celebrate pollinators.

Please join Hailey and WVSU 4-H for Pollinator Power: A Family Night at Meeks Mountain on Tuesday, May 19 at 6:00 PM at Meeks Mountain Trails.

Families will learn about pollinators, explore the pollinator habitat, participate in hands-on activities, and leave with take-home ideas and kits.

The event is free, but registration is requested so we have enough take-home kits for everyone.

Sign up here: https://runsignup.com/Race/WV/Hurricane/PollinatorPowerAFamilyNightAtMeeksMountain?fbclid=IwY2xjawRq7ANleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFvODFqYVFoTFRuWTRLM1dTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlCenSXehGaEIBwoat12ZI_ZbywUM9sa3BJPa_78TfA8S0e4KrCS7yM38h5i_aem_BlqnDHjKehFm_E-MYKttgQ&brid=YWdncwEMIndzSktngmUJu62xeVyY

Congratulations, Hailey. We are proud of you, thankful for you, and excited for what comes next.

05/08/2026

WVSU 4-H recently completed a three-day VEX GO robotics lesson with a 9th-grade class at Buffalo High School!

Students started by building the VEX GO Code Base and learning how to code the robot to move in a square. They then completed challenge-based activities, including Ocean Emergency and Cooling Courier, where they had to build, code, test, adjust, and problem-solve.

Pre- and post-survey results showed strong growth in student confidence. The largest gain was in coding confidence, which increased from 38% before the lesson to 75% after the lesson.

Students also grew in their confidence building from instructions, increasing from 59% to 79%, and in their understanding of how robotics can be used to solve real-world problems, increasing from 59% to 78%.

Through this hands-on lesson, students practiced building, coding, teamwork, problem-solving, and connecting robotics to real-world challenges.

WVSU 4-H provides hands-on, educational programming for schools and community groups across a variety of topics, including STEM, agriculture, natural resources, leadership, and life skills. Lessons can be brought directly to classrooms and adapted to fit different grade levels and learning goals. You can email us at [email protected] for more information.

Thank you to Buffalo High for welcoming us into your classroom and giving students the opportunity to explore robotics through hands-on learning!

05/07/2026

⚙️🌟 Calling All Future Innovators! 🌟⚙️

Is your child curious about artificial intelligence, engineering, and hands-on creativity? Looking for a camp experience that blends innovation with real-world skills like nutrition, food preparation, podcasting, and financial literacy?

Join WVSU 4-H on the WVSU campus from July 13-17 for the exciting, hands-on Engineer Your Future Summer Camp! This camp gives students the chance to explore new ideas, build confidence, and create something meaningful while having fun along the way.

Open to rising 7th–10th graders who are residents of WV, this engaging program helps students explore STEAM and beyond while developing leadership, collaboration, wellness, and life skills that prepare them for the future.

⚙️ Dive into artificial intelligence and engineering challenges!

🥗 Learn nutrition, food preparation, and financial literacy!

💬 Record your own podcast and reflect on your learning journey!

🛠️ Build your confidence, creativity, and practical skills for the future!

🎯 Perfect for curious students interested in innovation, creativity, and making an impact!

Apply here 👉 https://bit.ly/2026EngineerYourFuture! The deadline to register is May 27, 2026.

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Have questions or need help? Reach out anytime:
🍀 WVSU 4-H STEM Specialist Vathani Amarasingham — [email protected] | (304) 204 - 4064.

🍀 WVSU STEM Educator Ashlea Krasňanský — [email protected] | (304) 204 - 4022.



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Alt text:
Abstract graphic with gears in a head with “Engineer Your Future: Summer Day Camp at WVSU” text over top of it.

04/30/2026

We want to take a few moments to recognize some of our Educators for receiving awards at the WVAE4-H Spring Conference:

Promotional Package- Team:
Samantha Belcher , Tiffany Ward, Hailey Saxton
West Virginia from the Fertile Forest to the Majestic Mountains

Expanding the 4-H Audience: Creating Opportunities For All:
Linzie Farmer and Christine Kinder
Supporting Inclusive Education for Students with Autism

Excellence in Teamwork:
Linzie Farmer and Christine Kinder
Doing the Most Good Together

Excellence in Urban Programming:
Linzie Farmer and Christine Kinder
Impact 4-H Experience in Action and 4-H Spark Labs with the YMCA

Personal Column:
Crystal Bishop
Developing a Growth Mindset Instead of a Fixed Mindset

Susan Barkman Award for Research and Development
Crystal Bishop and Vathani Amarasingham
Reaching Youth Through a Coalition Report: the Role of a STEM Ambassador, What We Did, How We Did It, and What We Learned

Congratulations to all of the award winners! Your dedication and commitment to 4-H make a lasting impact on youth and communities across West Virginia.

04/27/2026

🦎Just a reminder! Get your drawings in by Saturday 🦎