CANFIELD — OSU Extension continues to grow in Mahoning County and some of that growth is through the Extension in the Classroom program.

The program takes 4-H styled programs and lessons into area schools, offering hands on tools and experiences that enhance a student’s learning.

To help run the Extension in the Classroom program, Kristen Eisenhauer, urban extension educator, was brought on board. Along with extension educator Alex Kennedy and several interns, the program is taken into schools across the county.

“We work with any school districts that want us,” Eisenhauer said. “So far the program has been presented at public schools in Austintown, Western Reserve, South Range and Boardman, and at the YSU Rich Center, the YWCA, the YMCA, the United Way after-school program and the Department of Jobs and Family Services.”

She said the program is also focusing on urban areas that are underserved. Those areas were identified as Youngstown, Campbell, Struthers and Sebring. She said these are communities where it is hard to find kids involved in 4-H programs.

“People used to think that one had to be on a farm to participate in 4-H,” Eisenhauer said.

She said 4-H goes well beyond rural communities with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education that brings interesting hands-on programs to urban students. The programs offered are based on Ohio Academic Content Standards and Indicators for kindergarten through grade 12. The programs engage students and help teach scientific inquiry, research, analysis, investigation, exploration and science applications.

One example of a student favorite is constructing a marble roller coaster. While the challenge is fun, there are many scientific lessons involved.

Eisenhauer said the program helps open doors to the many career paths available to today’s young people. She gave the example of food scientist, a career that many 4-H projects could lead a participant towards, and now the classroom venue opens it up to Valley students.

“The students in the Extension in the Classroom programs aren’t members of 4-H clubs,” Eisenhauer said. “In fact, gaining new 4H members is not the goal of the classroom program, but we do end up with some kids joining a club.”

As the program continues to grow, there is a need for more educators to help out. Right now, OSU Extension is looking for a program assistant for Mahoning County. The position is for an individual to teach STEM based learning activities in school settings, after school, at day camps, and in related programming. The position will start at $15 per hour and is full time, 40-hours a week. To apply, a candidate can go on-line at http//go.osu.edu/mahoningjob. The job will last for 18 months.

“Right now we are receiving a lot of grant funding,” said Extension 4H educator Beth Smith. “This position’s future will depend on continued grant funding.”

While Eisenhauer focuses on Extension in the Classroom, Smith will continue to serve the 4-H clubs and members in the area. Right now in Mahoning County, she said there are 38 4-H clubs and 990 members with 205 adult volunteer advisers.

Have an interesting story? Contact J.T. Whitehouse by email at jtwhitehouse@vindy.com.