This is a powerpoint for Judging Science, Engineering and Technolgy 4-H Exhibits at the County Fair

1. Judging
4-H Science, Engineering
and Technology
Back to the Basics
Educate, Evaluate, Encourage 1

2. 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

3. 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 others
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4. 4-H Learning process

6. 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 6

7. 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
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working on your goal?

8. 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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9. 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” 9

10. 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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11. Science, Engineering
and Technology
Digital Storytelling Mechanical and Design
Woodworking Using Technology
Scientific Investigation Climate Change
Renewable Energy Engineering
Aerospace Biological and Chemical Sciences
Computers and Networking Earth & Climate
GPS/GIS Geospatial Mapping Robotics
Science in our Everyday lives Electricity
Tractor Restoration Small Engines
Welding Automotive
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12. 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
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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/
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14. Judging SET Exhibits
Evaluation Criteria
Do you use the Sheets?
• Learning Involved
• Workmanship and Techniques
– Product
– Idea
• General Appearance and Design
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Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

15. 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
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Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

16. 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 points 16
Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

17. 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
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Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

18. 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) 18

19. 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?
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Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

20. 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?
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Educate, Evaluate, Encourage

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