Altoona, Iowa (February 1, 2023) Iowa 4-H provided 20 Des Moines youth the opportunity to visit the Iowa State University (ISU) College of Design on January 17, 2023. Youth from the Oakridge Neighborhood Center and ISU 4U Promise program spent the morning learning about different disciplines within the College of Design, toured students’ studios, and participated in several design-themed activities. Youth also experienced lunch at an on-campus dining hall.
“Almost nothing compares to a real-life, personal experience, to help youth think about their future,” said Lisa Green, ISU Extension and Outreach youth program specialist. “The visit to ISU gave youth a greater understanding of the design program and the variety of careers that stem from it. It was also an opportunity to discuss how 4-H can help them explore their passions and prepare them for college or career.”
The day’s hands-on activities included a drawing workshop, creating zines, and making screen-print t-shirts. The visit also prompted youth to reflect on the experience and how the visit impacted their perspective of their future.
“The people we talked to were from different countries and states and its amazing to see that people who have been in my shoes can still reach the top,” said Ciza Fabiola a 9th grade student from North High School in Des Moines.
The visit was provided at no cost to youth thanks to support from the Iowa 4-H Foundation and the Oakridge Neighborhood Center.
For more information about this or other Iowa 4-H programs or to learn more about how 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential visit www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/.
