Educators from CSU Extension’s AmeriCorps program and faculty in the College of Agriculture have created free 4-H curriculum to help introduce agricultural concepts to 3rd-5th graders.
What is DIGS?
Based on the principles of Colorado Agriculture, DIGS (Developing Individuals, Growing Stewards) curriculum takes youth on a journey through the world of Western agriculture, from modeling the importance of Colorado’s natural resources to observing trait selection in livestock and reading maps.
DIGS covers a wide range of topics through eight units and a total of twenty-four lessons. The DIGS curriculum is also fully equipped for teaching in both formal and informal settings, with each lesson containing Colorado Academic Standards, 4-H life skills, background information on the subject material, vocabulary lists, career connections, and more. Planning materials are also provided to build your own DIGS summer camp!
71%
DIGS pilot participants who increased their knowledge of Colorado agriculture and appreciation of STEM
We tried it ourselves!
DIGS was piloted last summer through a two-week summer camp encompassing all twenty-four lessons in the curriculum. Activity instructors included a CSUE 4-H Agent, a CSU graduate student, and an AmeriCorps member who had no previous background in agriculture. The results? Through pre- and post-surveys, it was shown that by the end of the two weeks 71% of participants in the camp increased their knowledge of Colorado agriculture and their appreciation of STEM. Action packed days filled with interactive activities covering plant health, genetics, nutrition, and so much more lead the camp team to the same conclusion: among the youth, DIGS was a hit!
A 3-part training session will be offered on how to teach the curriculum at 11 a.m. on September 1, 8, and 15. Sign up >
