Photo courtesy of Tyler Painter
By Matt de Simone
The 4-H program in Botetourt County Public Schools (BCPS) has grown significantly in recent years, particularly through initiatives for all fourth and fifth grade classrooms across the county’s elementary schools.
Botetourt 4-H Extension Agent Tyler Painter recently reflected on the 2024–25 school year, expressing pride in the students’ achievements and enthusiasm for the future of the program.
“We did a total of eight months of programming across fourth and fifth grades in 30 classrooms,” Painter said in a recent interview. “We’ve got chicks hatching right now in fourth and fifth grade, kindergarten, and the farm school.”
Painter emphasized the importance of 4-H having an active presence in schools. His in-class programs, running from September through April, are designed to align with Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs) while offering hands-on learning experiences. Most lessons focus on science, engineering, and public speaking.
Last week, several county students put those skills to the test competing in a regional presentation contest in Floyd County. This competition comes on the heels of last month’s County Presentation Night. Painter noted that “the kids did great” during Saturday’s event in Floyd. “We are proud of the accomplishments of this group and for making the trip to Floyd County to represent Botetourt 4-H,” he added.
There were 14 participants in presentations, three in dramatic reading, and one in the Share-the-Fun Talent Show.
The following participants received a blue ribbon for performance and a trophy for being the top presenter in their category: Josee Armentrout (Presentations), William Booth (Presentations), Braeden Brown (Presentations), Alayna Chen (Presentations), Luke Mullins (Presentations), Kristin Stuart (Presentations), and Isabelle Williams (Presentations)
Additional blue-ribbon recipients: Emma Burns (Dramatic Reading), Ava Greer (Dramatic Reading), Avery Kelly (Presentations), Charlotte Moulton (Presentations), Bryson Prusak (Presentations), Bria Scharf (Presentations), and Dannica Wise (Presentations)
Red-ribbon recipients: Teagan Kern (Share-the-Fun), Ellie Rushing (Presentations), Maggie Tolley (Dramatic Reading), and Autumn Wright (Presentations)
Each August, Painter meets with teachers to review the previous year’s curriculum, plan improvements, and coordinate pacing for the coming school year. He aims to time 4-H lessons with what students are currently learning.
“For example, with fourth graders, we create photosynthesis in a cup using spinach leaves,” Painter explained. In this experiment, students punch out spinach leaf disks, remove the oxygen with a medicine syringe, then place them in a mixture of water, baking soda, and dish soap. A lamp simulates sunlight, causing the disks to rise as they produce oxygen bubbles. “It’s such an ‘a-ha’ moment when the kids see those bubbles start rising,” he added.
The 4-H curriculum offers a full-year STEM and communication experience. Fourth graders begin with team-based engineering challenges and the scientific method, then explore food chains, ecosystems, ocean currents, and salinity. Communication skills are introduced mid-year through dramatic readings, and students finish with a Mars rover challenge and lessons on Virginia’s natural resources.
Fifth graders start with force and motion using marshmallow catapults, then study electricity through building circuits. They explore static electricity, light, wave theory, and end the year with geology and sound experiments. Communication is reinforced through instructional presentations that are evaluated for clarity and delivery.
One highlight, according to Painter, is the Mars rover challenge where students build and navigate rovers through obstacle courses. He also introduces open and closed circuits as preparation for fifth grade science SOLs. Students can choose between electricity or static charge lessons – some opting to create negatively charged balloons and collect paper bits to observe electron transfer.
Each spring, Painter sends evaluations to teachers to gather feedback and adjust the programming. “If I can visit a classroom and tie the learning experience directly to what students are working on, that’s ideal,” he said.
Painter also extends his programming to homeschool students, particularly through Valley Farm School in Fincastle, offering the same hands-on activities such as embryology. “I would love to expand my outreach to more homeschool groups. We’ve got a lot of great things going on that they can benefit from.”
Through engaging, hands-on lessons and a strong partnership with educators, the 4-H program in Botetourt County continues to inspire curiosity, build essential skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning in students across the region. To learn more about Botetourt 4-H, visit botetourt.ext.vt.edu/news/4H.html.
