Learn about the many forms diversity takes in daily life and the benefits of being open to new situations and people who are different from yourself. This project can be completed individually or with a group.

Members will:

  • Gain self-awareness
  • Explore beliefs and views of others
  • Develop skills for engaging others who are different from themselves
  • Become inspired to continue their journey of cultural awareness

Download the Spark Sheet

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Exploring 4-H

Exploring Diversity

Spark Activity: Pass the Potatoes, Please

Here in Illinois, we love French fries, baked potatoes and mashed potatoes. Is that how everyone eats their potatoes? Find out how people around the world prepare and eat potatoes. Russians eat potato latkes, but how do the Irish eat potatoes? Australians? Africans? In your hometown? Find out how people in at least eight countries prepare and eat potatoes. If possible, prepare one of these dishes and share it with your family, friends or your 4-H club.

4-H Project Levels and Goals
Beginner
  • Explore what diversity means to you and others
  • Think about what parts of culture are visible and not visible
  • Learn about stereotypes and how to combat them
  • Interview 3 people from your school or community you are not familiar with and see how you are similar and different from each other
Intermediate
  • Learn about visible and non-visible disabilities
  • Complete activities that help you walk in the shoes of people with various disabilities
  • Visit an ethnic grocery store and a grocery store from an area you don't live and compare them to your local store
Advanced
  • Explore religious diversity
  • Learn about the laws that protect people from discrimination and give people rights
  • Complete a capstone project, such as a blog, video, photo essay, art installation, fundraising event or service project that explores what you've learned
Put Your Project Into Action

Show Your Skills

  • 4-H open house 
  • Club demonstrations
  • County fair project exhibit

Service and Leadership

  • Complete a service project with an international organization
  • Study an issue that is worldwide and recognized by people in various countries
  • Befriend an exchange student in your school or community and find out about their country
  • Discover how the 4-H program around the world is meeting global needs
  • Become a part of the International 4-H Exchange program
  • Lead an activity with your club that helps them learn about another culture
  • Study another country’s political and governmental structures
  • Plan an international night for your county where clubs share food, games, dances and other information about a country they select

Entrepreneurship

  • 4-H enterprise gardens
  • Diversity consultant

Technology Connection

  • Google Arts & Culture is a non-profit initiative bringing cultural institutions and artists to you from around the world https://artsandculture.google.com
  • Pen pal (virtual or by mail)

Connecting with a Mentor

  • Local college’s Multicultural Department
  • Local Returned Peace Corps Volunteer groups

Events

  • Attend a local cultural event or international festival
  • 4-H International Fest

Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements

Purchase manuals on the Shop Illinois 4-H Store. 

View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.

Careers
man leading a group gathered around a conference table
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
  • Human Resources
  • International Policy Foreign Affairs Officer
  • Diplomat
Start a Conversation

Are you curious about other cultures?

How do you connect to people different than you?

What is your cultural connection?

What is your family heritage?

How does diversity benefit you? Your school? Your country? The world?