Idaho Students Can Earn Academic Credit Via “Learn Everywhere With 4-H”

A Blackfoot, ID high school student turned more than 500 hours of raising a steer into a high school credit through Idaho’s "Learn Everywhere with 4-H" program.

Elizabeth Murdock, now a freshman at the College of Southern Idaho, earned credit in animal science while raising her steer, Cinch.  The project required at least 60 hours of work, but Murdock spent mornings and evenings caring for the animal for a year.

“It was very hands-on. I could learn things from experiences I was already having with my animals,” Murdock said. “I learned things I wanted to learn about — things I use in my everyday life.”

Cinch went on to win grand champion at the Bingham County Fair.

Photo: University of Idaho

Program Allows High School Students To Get Credit For Hands-On Work

The University of Idaho Extension program combines online coursework with hands-on 4-H projects.  It now offers 25 courses, and 35 Idaho schools and districts have committed to the program.  Organizers say the goal is to give students more project-based ways to earn high school credit. 

“It didn’t feel like school,” Murdock said. “It felt like I was learning fun things the whole time.” 

To date, the University of Idaho said 28 high school credits have been awarded through the program. Another five students are currently enrolled — two in Emmett, one in Firth, one in Gooding and one in Bear Lake County. 

Click Here to learn more about the Learn Everywhere with 4-H program.