Steam EDUCATION
Youth become architects and civil engineers to design model skyscrapers capable of resisting earthquake forces in this workshop.
Time: 45-120 minutes
Youth will become robotic engineers to develop a model prosthetic hand combining skills from mechanical, electrical and computer engineering.
Time: 90-120 minutes
Youth will use the Micro:bit microcontroller to code and create a rock paper scissors game.
Time: 45-90 minutes
Youth will become computer scientists and code their own computer program using scratch, a computer coding language developed by MIT.
Time: 45-90 minutes
Youth will become lab scientists and use real-world techniques to test a fictional family for COVID-19.
Time: 60-120 minutes
Youth will become lab scientists and perform genetic testing on members of a fictional family to diagnose sickle cell anemia.
Time: 60-120 minutes
Youth will examine the phenomenon of chlorophyll fluorescence and compare it to the real-life application used by scientists to measure ecosystem plant health.
Time: 30-75 minutes
Youth will use the same procedure used by genetics and forensics labs to extract DNA from a strawberry.
Time: 45-90 minutes
Youth will explore the dominion trail located at WVU Jackson’s Mill and observe a wetland ecosystem. Youth will have the opportunity to identify species of plants, animals and insects.
Time: 30-90 minutes
Youth become aerospace engineers as they use engineer design process to build and test model stomp rockets.
Time: 45-90 minutes
Outdoor Education
Youth will participate in age-appropriate games and activities that work on increasing teamwork, communication and other social skills needed in day-to-day life.
Time: 30-120 minutes
West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn the science behind fire, how to build different types of fires for different situations and how to cook over open flame and on coals.
Time: 30-60 minutes
West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn about different aspects of the environment and Leave No Trace ethics. Specific topics can be requested by educators and all material will be grade appropriate.
Time: 30-60 minutes
West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn the basics of rock climbing using the rock faces of our Tango Tower. Material will be grade appropriate.
Time: 30-90 minutes
West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn the basics of paddling and be able to paddle on the West Fork River. Material and difficulty will be age appropriate. Canoeing will be the default unless otherwise noted and weather permitting.
Time: 60-120 minutes
West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn the basics of bike function, maintenance and proper riding techniques.
Time: 30-60 minutes
West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will play disc gold on the WVU Jackson's Mill course. The style of gameplay will depend on the groups size and age.
Time: 30-120 minutes
West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn to make different types of knots and the common uses for each type.
Time: 30-60 minutes
West Virginia College and Career Readiness Standards: This activity does not meet any standards set out by the WV Department Of Education.
History Education
Youth will watch a demonstration & get hands-on experience running a water-powered gristmill with Blaker's Mill. The history of gristmilling in West Virginia and its significance in WVU Jackson's Mill history will be highlighted.
Standards: SS.K.22; SS.1.23; SS.2.20, SS.2.21; SS.4.18; SS.6.9; SS.8.22
Youth will learn about the buildings at Jackson's Mill & how they relate to the early history of West Virginia, including learning about the Jackson family and others who lived and worked in the buildings.
Time: 60+ minutes
Standards: SS.4.18; SS.6.20; SS.7.13, SS.7.14; SS.8.21; SS.8.22
Youth will see a blacksmith shop in action while a historian demonstrate skills & tools used in the process highlighting its importance to WV & WVU Jackson's Mill.
Standards: SS.K.22; SS.1.23; SS.2.20, SS.2.21; SS.4.18; SS.6.9; SS.8.22
Walking the grounds of our campus, youth will learn about the history of Jackson’s Mill, the nation’s first state 4-H camp & how our camp developed from its beginning in 1921.
Time: 60+ minutes
Standards: SS.4.18; SS.6.20; SS.7.13, SS.7.14
Using an electric pot and melted wax, youth will use a length of string to make hand-dipped candles.
Standards: SS.2.20, SS.2.21; SS.4.18; SS.6.9; SS.8.22
Youth will use a hand crank, tabletop rope machine to make their own small piece of twisted cotton rope roughly the size of a bracelet.
Standards: SS.K.22; SS.1.23; SS.2.20, SS.2.21; SS.4.18; SS.6.9; SS.8.22
Preserved food samples are used to demonstrate the importance of various foods & food preservation types early settlers used. Participants will also make their own butter.
Standards: SS.2.20, SS.2.21; SS.4.18; SS.6.9; SS.8.22
Using replica toys and a variety of household items, youth will try old-fashioned games, learn how people entertained themselves and compare them to modern games.
Standards: SS.K.22; SS.1.23; SS.2.20, SS.2.21; SS.4.18; SS.6.9; SS.8.22
*Only available under certain circumstances, contact Joe Obidzinski to learn more.
Youth will learn the art form of paper marbling & have the opportunity to make marbled paper.
Standards: SS.2.20; SS.2.21; SS.4.18; SS.6.9; SS.8.22