Welcome

Welcome! Click on any of the four program areas listed to the left to download complete program guides. The links above will guide you to an introduction to that program area. If you have any questions, or would like more information, please email AmySue Mertens.

The Science and Technology team of University of Illinois Extension is offering new and exciting educational programming for all ages. Areas of expertise include animal, biological, chemical, food and nutritional, and earth and physical sciences; mathematics; and technology.

Our educators provide a variety of offerings and assistance in these areas including teaching techniques for the sciences, classroom lessons, and applications. All courses for youth meet Illinois State Board of Education learning standards. This brochure summarizes the science and technology services Universityof Illinois Extension can provide through summer programs, Saturday programs, after school programs, and our new mobile outreach lab.

Horticulture is great for people of all ages and backgrounds. Youth, particularly those in urban environments, stand to gain much from added exposure to plants and nature. In-school and after-school activities offered by University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educators are one way to engage youth to growing plants and the natural environment. Topics covered include:

-Carnivorous Plants (ex. Venus Fly Trap and Pitcher Plants)

-Plant Propagation (starting plants from seeds, cuttings, etc.)

-Water Quality (Watershed Demo)

-Entomology 101 (Live Insect Petting Zoo)

-Gardening with few or no chemicals

-Basic Lawn care

University of Illinois Extension in Cook County is determined to help reverse the serious trends that keep urban youth from entering and succeeding in higher education. By providing a wide array of early college outreach programs, Extension will have youth from Pre-K through 12th grade thinking about and preparing for college.

The Early College Outreach team sees outreach as an ongoing process. A child in the second grade will begin recognizing college names and logos. A child in the ninth grade will begin researching those colleges. We also provide programs for parents. Parental support and encouragement at each stage of a child's development is crucial to setting goals for graduating with a college diploma.

Extension educators with expertise in community health provide workshops and informational materials in a wide range of health topics including but not limited to breast cancer awareness, sexual health, nutrition, heart disease and diabetes. Community health educators work to protect and improve the health of a community by teaching people about health topics in order to help them make healthier choices.

University of Illinois Extension offers Cook County residents quality health education programs that promote healthy habits. Reaching over 100,000 people each year, Extension educators are always looking for new partnerships and can provide programming to groups such as schools, organizations, and churches.

Workshops are designed according to community needs and are available for adults, children, seniors and youth. Workshops are available in English and Spanish.