COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Making mozzarella cheese, spinning wool after a sheep-shearing demonstration, and creating a lamp from an empty pop can are just some of the hands-on fun but educational experiences available at two upcoming Columbus events sponsored by Ohio 4-H.
The first is on Oct. 8. "Science Fun with Dairy Foods" is the first of a series of "4-H Science Saturdays" this academic year on Ohio State University's campus. The other is "4-H for a Day" on Friday, Oct. 21, a day when many central Ohio students are out of school for a teacher training day.
"Ohio 4-H has a lot to offer, and events like these allow young people to get a taste of that by sampling a variety of 4-H activities," said Sally McClaskey, program coordinator with Ohio State University Extension's 4-H Youth Development Program. "We've done both of these types of events for a few years now, and the response has been very positive."
Both events will be at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center at 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, just across from the Schottenstein Center:
- "Science Fun with Dairy Foods" will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8. Registration is limited to 30 kids in grades 3 through 6. Bob Horton, 4-H science education specialist, will help kids investigate how milk protein is changed to produce yogurt and cottage cheese and then help them make their own "Five-Minute Mozzarella Cheese." They'll also test the importance of gravity and produce a batch of "Dippin' Dots-like" ice cream. Cost is $5 per child. To register, fill out the form available at http://www.ohio4h.org/4hscience/.
- The "4-H for a Day" program on Oct. 21 is for all children ages 8 through 12 and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with check-in beginning at 8:30 a.m. and final parent pick-up at 5 p.m. Registration is limited and closes Oct. 10. The day will start with a sheep shearing demonstration, followed by practice at wool spinning. Also on tap for the day: best options for sports drinks, including testing your heart rate and recovery time; making "the coolest friendship bracelets you've ever seen," McClaskey says; participating in some team games (and testing your talent as part of a team); and making a lamp from a clean, empty pop can. (Children should bring their own pop can.) The registration fee of $35 includes all materials, snacks, beverages, pizza lunch and a T-shirt. The registration form can be downloaded at the same website, http://www.ohio4h.org/4hscience/.
Anyone with questions may contact McClaskey at mcclaskey.12@osu.edu or 614-247-8141.
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