Nebraska 4-H

Living Room Learning+

fun, colorful shapes and patterns

Living Room Learning is back for the summer of 2021 – and it’s a plus for everyone!

Living Room Learning+ offers hands-on, virtually guided activities for youth. Each session focuses on a new activity that can be completed with inexpensive, easy-to-find materials. The finished project may be showcased as an exhibit at a local county fair (optional). A career connection to the project will also be made. Each session will be recorded and made available on-demand. Youth do not need to be 4-H members to participate.

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 10:00 am CT

Food + Science

Meet us in the kitchen! Nebraska Extension Food, Nutrition & Health professionals will lead youth through an easy, microwavable food creation and a science experience using their favorite snacks.

Participants will also get a chance to learn from a Nebraska food scientist and create two projects to enter into the county fair. Now, that sounds delicious!

Supplies Needed

Activity 1: Find the Fat

  • (can substitute any food item for a like-item)
  • cheese puffs
  • pretzels
  • cookie/brownie
  • dried fruit
  • potato chips
  • saltine cracker
  • graham cracker
  • sandwich cookie
  • piece of paper and writing utensil

Activity 2: Blueberry Muffin in a Mug
Before beginning, wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Mix the following ingredients together in a mug. Cook in microwave for 1 - 1:30 minutes.

  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • Pinch cinnamon
  • 1/2 Tbsp butter/margarine
  • 1-2 Tbsp frozen blueberries
  • 2-3 Tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • microwave safe coffee cup/mug (large)
  • fork
  • measuring cups/spoons
  • spoon
  • access to microwave
Fair Connection (optional)

Food & Nutrition

  • Non-Traditional Baked Product (Cooking 201, Class E410007) - exhibit must include a food product prepared using a non-traditional method (i.e. bread machine, cake baked in convection oven, baked item made in microwave, etc.) Entry must be at least ¾ baked product, or 4 muffins or cookies on a paper plate or in a disposable pan. Entry must include supporting information that discusses alternative preparation method and how it compares with traditional method.

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 10:00 am CT

Entrepreneurship + Art

What do Art and Entrepreneurship have in common? There are many successful entrepreneurs who utilize their craft and their passion to create a business!

Tune into Living Room Learning + Entrepreneurship & Art to hear from two successful entrepreneurs who got their start with 4-H. One as a photographer and one as a fashion designer.

Youth will explore the elements and principles of art as they work to create personal artwork that tells a story!

Supplies Needed
  • Smart device with capabilities to take photos (Smart phone, Smart tablet) OR digitial camera
  • Various craft supplies (items found in junk or craft drawer, such as pipe cleaners, felt, craft foam, clothespins, tape, paper clips, crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc.)
Fair Connection (optional)

Photography

  • Creative Composition Display or Print (Level 2: Next Level Photography, Class B181030) - Photos should capture a creative composition using the Rule of Thirds, Golden Triangle, Golden Rectangle, or another composition technique covered in Book 2 Next Level Photography.  
  • Abstract Photography Display or Print (Level 2: Next Level Photography, Class B181040) - Photos should be abstract or capture a small piece of a larger subject. Abstract photos may not look like anything in particular but should be able to capture a viewer's attention.  

Home Environment

  • Original Mixed Media Accessory (Portfolio Pathways, Class C261007) - An art exhibit using a combination of two or more different media or materials. One media must be included in another Portfolio Pathways class. (ex. Watercolor and graphite)