This week, Mrs. Natalie Aiello, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator with Penn State, visited St. Leo School’s 4th grade class.
The class participated in activities based on animal engineering and biomimicry. This is the 3rd out of 6 lessons through the 4-H program at St. Leo School. The students have built and tested spider webs, constructed termite towers, and made bird nests. In future lessons, the students will build bee hives and beaver dams and spend their final session talking about biomimicry and exploring ideas humans have taken from nature to make our lives easier.
The 4-H Science in the Schools program is offered to all Elk and Cameron Counties Elementary Schools. Activity sets are specific to grade, ranging from Kindergarten through 6th grade. These activities are done virtually or in person (depending on the needs of the schools).
Natalie graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor of science in biology and a minor in chemistry. After two years as a teacher in Cameroon, Western Africa, as a Peace Corps Volunteer, Natalie obtained her secondary teaching certifications in secondary biology and chemistry from Clarion University. Later, she earned a Master’s degree from Clarion in biology, focusing on environmental studies. Natalie has years of experience working with youth of all ages and backgrounds, with 4-H being one of her favorite programs!
