During the 2023-2024 school year, 38% of students in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school district were not proficient in science, exceeding the state average of 32% (North Carolina School Report Cards). Field trips are a useful supplement to classroom instruction. Experiential learning while on a field trip is linked to improved student performance in the plant sciences (Bauerle and Park 2012). NC Essential Science Standards for third graders include plant science topics, which can be reinforced through activities in a garden.

Response: N.C. Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center, offers a Youth Education (YE) Program at the Arboretum at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC. This field trip program was offered on four days each during 2023, 2024, and 2025. Third grade students visit the Arboretum to participate in experiential lessons about soil, seeds, composting, and plant adaptations. All lessons are taught by Extension Master Gardener volunteers and Extension staff. The Horticulture Agent also provides all teachers with a website containing additional information, videos, and activities to help teachers in their classrooms to reinforce concepts covered during YE. Students' knowledge is evaluated with quiz questions on the day of the program. Teachers also receive a follow-up evaluation in hard copy and via email to gather more information about their students’ retention of knowledge and specific successes. From 2023 to 2025, 1,772 third grade students participated in YE, representing 19 elementary schools. Each year, an average of 62 volunteers and staff contribute 544 hours of their time to help with the YE Program.

Results: Through participating in Youth Education, students gain knowledge of plants and develop critical thinking skills while investigating soil, compost, seeds, and plants. Students also enjoy time outdoors. 86% of students participating in YE can correctly answer questions about plant science after their field trip. In their evaluations (n=42), all teachers agreed that the lessons taught at YE address third grade science standards. 74% of teachers used the website of supplemental materials in their classroom, reporting a total of 61 hours spent on these topics. Each year, teachers provide positive feedback on the program. One teacher said, “I loved seeing my students even more involved and the visuals/activities that were included for students to see and participate in. They were all engaged, and the volunteers were so interactive!" Another reported, “This is one of the best programs offered to WSFCS students. It's engaging, appropriate for our curriculum, and it gets kids outside into nature and teaches them to appreciate it." The North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center team received the program innovation award for the Youth Education Program at the 2025 Southern & 1890s Regional Conference of the National Urban Extension Leaders.

County: Forsyth

Team Members: Chris Bryant (Forsyth), Caila Cater-Edwards (Forsyth), Jeffrey Cates (Guilford), Rebecca Craps (Forsyth), Anika Parks (Forsyth), Celine Richard (Forsyth), Leslie Rose (Forsyth), Matthew Scoggins (Forsyth)

Objective: 4-H Youth Development