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Judging 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology

Back to the Basics

Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

A 4-H Goal is like planning a trip…

• A good 4-H Goal has….• The Action- How will you do something

• The Result- What will be the result

• The Timetable-The Amount of time it will take to complete the goal

• “I want to learn to router an edge on my shelf by June 1.”

• “ I want to compare my use of electricity when I leave my computer on and when I shut it off overnight by fair time.” 2

The Judging Process should be a learning Process

• It is important for you to consider the judging process as much more than awarding ribbons

• You have the opportunity to help that young person grow in their ability to see an exhibit as a product of their learning

• To help them Understand the learning• Help them understand how they can evaluate

their own exhibits as well as others3

4-H Learning process

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Judging SME Exhibits

Remember the purpose of Science, Mechanics and Engineering

• is to develop a spirit of inquiry, • Develop skills in using tools • safety procedures• giving credit to sources for their information—

informing others if they were interested where they could find good or more information

• be able to figure costs• look for ways to use their skills in doing

community service• explore career and vocational opportunities to

use their skills

As you begin the judging process

• Always show excitement to meet the 4-H’er and model good communication skills

• Spend some time looking through the write-up to recognize their hard work but always focus on the 4-H’er…a balancing act

• 4-H’ers should be able to respond to these three questions:1. What was your exhibit goal?

2. How do you go about working toward that goal?

3. What were the most important things you learned working on your goal? 7

As you begin the judging process

• How do you handle expertise beyond their age?

• How do you take the age and experience of the 4-H’er into the judging process?

• What if an Exhibit is clearly in the wrong class based on their goal or their learning explanation?

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Judging SET Exhibits

You do need to think through your questions• What—questions most often lead to facts• Where—questions often lead to location or

source of info• How—questions often lead to a discussion

about processes or sequences• Why--questions often lead to a discussion of

reasons• Could you share or tell me--questions may

result in softer question than “Tell me” or “give me”

Some things have changed…

• We no longer break a 4-H Exhibit area such as Woodworking into a bunch of classes.

• If you bring a Woodworking exhibit it is entered into Woodworking.

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Science Engineering and Technology Exhibits

• Mechanics and Design– Automotive and Restoration– Tractor Restoration– Electrical– Welding

• Woodworking– Building New– Restoring Wood Process– Working with Wood Tools

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Science Engineering and Technology Exhibits

• Science and Technology– Aerospace

• Rocketry• Space Flight and Study• Flying• Astronomy

– Computers and Networking• Building and Networking• Programming and Game Design• Website Development

– Digital Storytelling• Video and Sound Production• Computer Animation

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– Biological and Chemical Sciences

• Biotechnology• Crime Scene Investigation• Genetics• Medical Sciences

– Geospatial Mapping Technol.• Geocaching• GIS Software• Community Mapping• GPS

– Robotics• Youth Robotics• Robotics in Industry and space• Building and Programming

4-H Project Webpages

• 4-H project HotSheets• Learning Ideas• Learning Resources• Exhibit Ideas• Citizenship, Leadership and

Communication Ideas• 4-H Exhibit Tipsheets

• What is the judge looking for?• Special directions for collections and

special exhibits 13

4-H Project Webpages

• 4-H Exhibit Evaluation Form• 4-H Poster Exhibit Ideas• Other Opportunities for Learning

– Let’s take a tour of the Web Resources…

• http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/projects

• http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/adults/judges/14

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Judging SET Exhibits

Evaluation Criteria

Do you use the Sheets?

• Learning Involved

• Workmanship and Techniques– Product– Idea

• General Appearance and Design

Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

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Judging SET Exhibits

Other Issues that can come up

• Copyright Issues– Mostly in decorative accents –Team and

Equipment Logos– Mostly Woodworking and Welding– Need permission– Decals are fine—authenticity is important for

restoration

Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

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Judging SET Exhibits

Good Guide to Posters• Many Ag & Natural Resource Exhibits and a few

SME Exhibits are put together using a poster display

• They often need some direction to help sort out audience, what they want to communicate and how they could put together a good poster or display to communicate what they want to say

• Help educate 4-H’ers when you can…get a good guide resource piece to help you share the important learning pointsEducate, Evaluate, Encourage

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Judging SET Exhibits

Good Guide to Posters• Catch the eye of the passerby• Be simple and Clear• Impress an idea or fact on the viewer• Stimulate the viewer to support

your idea, get more information or take action

Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

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Judging SET Exhibits

Good Guide to Posters• Lowercase letters are easier to read than

all caps• Use Guide Lines for lettering• Letters or Headlines can be computer

generated and glued on• Leave White space• Make sure lettering is large enough to read

from a short distance (use table of size)

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Judging SET Exhibits

Some tough Questions• What things can we improve upon as we select

State Fair Exhibits?• How do you deal with School projects that don’t

seem to have a 4-H goal?• How do we help kids deal better with a red

ribbon?• How do you deal with the 4-H club projects—20

birdhouses, 15 welded somethings?

Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

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Judging SET Exhibits

Some tough Questions• In selecting State Fair exhibits, how do you deal

with a Restored Tractor compared to a gun case made in School Shop?

• How do you deal with lower numbers, but higher quality of the learning experience and the product compared to other 4-H Exhibit Areas such as photography?

Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

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