4-H Teen LEADS recently partnered with the Life Cycle Afterschool Program to bring hands-on learning and creativity together through an engaging animal habitats project. During this collaboration, teens worked alongside younger youth to explore where animals live, why habitats matter, and how animals adapt to their environments.

Youth participants researched a variety of animals, learning about their natural habitats, diets, and unique characteristics. With guidance from Teen LEADS, they turned their research into colorful, detailed dioramas that represented forests, oceans, deserts, and other ecosystems. The activity encouraged critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity while making science fun and accessible.

The Teen LEADS served as mentors throughout the project, helping youth ask questions, find information, and express what they learned through their dioramas. This experience not only strengthened the younger students’ understanding of animals and habitats, but also allowed Teen LEADS to build leadership, communication, and teaching skills.

Through partnerships like this, 4-H continues to provide meaningful learning opportunities that connect youth to science, leadership, and hands-on exploration beyond the classroom.