Computer Science

Computer Science

Department H, Division 860

Superintendent:

This department gives 4-H members an opportunity to display their knowledge and skills gained relating to computers, drones, electricity, energy, geospatial, robots, rockets, drones, welding and woodworking. Through participation in this department, 4-H members will present their knowledge in these areas as they relate to STEM.

For help getting started with this project contact your county Extension office.

  1. The name and county of each 4-H should appear separately on the back of each board, poster or article and on the front cover of the notebooks so owner of the exhibit may be identified if the entry tag is separated from the exhibit.
  2. Demonstration boards should include an overall title for the display, plus other necessary labeling.
  3. Reports should be written using the scientific method whenever possible: 1. Hypothesis 2. Research 3. Experiment 4. Measure 5. Report or Redefine Hypothesis. All reports should be computer generated and enclosed in a clear plastic cover. The reports should be attached securely to the display.
  4. Please refer to the General Rules for the policy regarding firearms, items with a blade, and other related items.
  5. Please refer to the General Rules for the policy regarding use of copywritten images.
  6. Premier 4-H Science Award is available in this area.
  7. Team Entries: To qualify for entry at the Nebraska State Fair for any team exhibit, the exhibit and all supporting information must clearly be the work of a team instead of an individual, and must have at least 50% of all team members enrolled in 4-H. Additionally, all enrolled 4-H members on the team should complete and attach an entry tag to the materials. A supplemental page documenting the individual contributions to the project should be included. The entry will be judged as a team, with all team members receiving the same ribbon placing.
  8. State Fair qualified videos, presentations and other electronic exhibits should be submitted to https://go.unl.edu/2025nesfstem by August 15th, 2025. Videos can be uploaded to a video streaming application and exhibitors MUST provide a hard copy QR code for viewing. 4-H members are encouraged to test their codes or links on several devices to check for appropriate permissions for public viewing
  9. Posters in this department can be any size up to 28 inches by 22 inches when ready for display. Example: trifold poster boards are not 28 inches by 22 inches when fully open for display.
  10. Several classes require a display board which should be a height of 24 inches and not to exceed 1/4-inch thickness. A height of 24 7/8 inches is acceptable to allow for the saw kerf (width) if two 24-inch boards are cut from one end of a 4 foot by 8-foot sheet of plywood. Nothing should be mounted within 3/4 inch of the top or bottom of the board. (Example: Woodworking & Electricity.)
  11. Fabricated boards such as plywood, composition board, or particle-type lumber may be used for demonstration displays.
  12. Demonstration boards should be sanded and finished to improve their appearance. The finish on a demonstration board will be judged as a woodworking exhibit.
  13. Demonstration boards should include an overall title for the display, plus other necessary labeling.
  14. Reports should be written using the scientific method whenever possible (1. Hypothesis 2. Research 3. Experiment 4. Measure 5. Report or Redefine Hypothesis). All reports should be computer generated and enclosed in a clear plastic cover. The reports should be attached securely to the display.
  15. If the project (i.e. picnic tables, wishing wells, swings, chairs, bridges, doghouses, etc.) is designed to be used outside, it will be displayed outside.
  16. All outside projects MUST have entry tag and supporting information placed in a protective bag to prevent damage from weather events such as rain and be ATTACHED to projects with string, zip ties, etc.
  17. Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at http://go.unl.edu/ne4hcomputers
  18. Recommended QR Code Generator: https://www.qr-code-generator.com/

Computer Mysteries -Unit 1 

H860999         Computer Level 1- (not eligible for State Fair). 

You may choose from any of the following exhibits: Cards for All Occasions, Graphic Illustration, Computer Presentation, Photograph Series, Scrapbook/Poster or Storybook. You need to follow the directions listed in the Computer Level I-Booting Up: Interacting with computers listed on page 50. 

Computer Mysteries – Unit 2

H860001*       Computer Application Notebook (SF277) – 4-H exhibitor should use computer application to create a graphic notebook utilizing computer technology. This exhibit consists of a 8.5-inch x 11-inch notebook which should include two parts:

  1. A detailed report describing:
  2. (a) the task to be completed
  3. (b) the computer application software required to complete the task
  4. (c) specific features of the computer application software necessary for completing the task
  5. Print out of your project. Project may be in color or black and white. 4-H member may create any of the following:
  • greeting card (five different cards such as a birthday, wedding, anniversary, sympathy get well or other)
  • business card (three cards for three different individuals and businesses)
  • menu (minimum of two pages including short description of foods and pricing); book layout (I-book)
  • promotional flyer (three flyers promoting three different events)
  • newsletter (minimum two pages)
  • other: examples such as precision farming or family business logo etc.

H860002*       Produce a Computer Slideshow Presentation (SF276) – Using presentation software a 4-H Exhibitor designs a multimedia computer presentation on one topic related to youth. An 8.5-inch x 11-inch three ring notebook with a printout of all the slides should be submitted. The slideshow should include a minimum of 10 slides and not more than 25. Incorporate appropriate slide layouts, graphics, animations, and audio (music or voice and transition sounds do not count). Each slide should include notes for a presentation. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.

Computer Mysteries, Unit 3

H860003*       Produce an Audio/Video Computer Presentation (SF276) – Using presentation software a 4-H exhibitor designs a multimedia computer presentation on one topic related to youth, including audio and/or video elements. A notebook with a printout of all the slides should be submitted. The presentation should be at least two minutes in length and no more than five minutes in length, appropriate graphics, sound and either a video clip, animation, or voice over and/or original video clip. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.

H860004*       How to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Presentation (SF276) – Youth design a fully automated two to five minute 4-H “how to” video. Submissions should incorporate a picture or video of the 4-H member as well as their name (first name only), age (as of January 1 of the current year), years in 4-H, and their personal interests or hobbies. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.

H860005*       Virtual Platform Presentation (SF276) – Youth design a fully automated educational presentation using any multimedia platform such as Tik Tok, YouTube, Canva, Canvas, etc. Submissions may include a notebook, poster, etc., explaining the process, experience, and/or presentation. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.

H860006*       Create a Website/Blog or App (SF275) – Design a simple website, blog, or app for providing information about a topic related to youth. Include an explanation of why the entry was created. Any current website, blog, or app development platform is accepted such as Google Sites, iBuildApp, Wix, etc. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.

H860007*       3D Printing (SF1050) – 3D printing uses plastic or other materials to build a three-dimensional (3D) object from a digital design (including 3D Pen Creation). 4-H may use original designs or someone else’s they have redesigned in a unique way. Exhibits will be judged based on motivation and/or problem identified. For example, 3D objects printed as part of the design process for robot or other engineering projects. Must include design notebook that addresses the following questions:

  1. What was the motivation for your design or the problem you were solving with your design? i.e. Is your item a functional or decorative piece?
  2. Please include a picture of original design, citation of designer/website OR if design is completely original (you created it using CAD software), then state that it’s original. If item was not completely original, indicate what you did to the original design to modify it to better meet the design problem stated in #1 above. Its design was modified multiple times, please indicate what change was made with each modification, and what prompted the need for the change. i.e. I printed it and the design was too fragile, so I resliced the print to make thicker external walls, or to have a denser infill.
  3. Define your process for designing/printing. What software and/or hardware was used (indicate type of 3D printer or if item was created with 3D pen)?
  4. What materials were selected for your project?
  5. If your final design has any moving parts, define how you determined appropriate allowance in your design.
  6. Identify any changes that you would make to improve your design.

H860008         Maker Space/Digital Fabrication (SF1051) – This project is a computer generated projected created using a laser cutter, vinyl cutter, heat press or CNC router. Vector or 3D based software such as Corel Draw or Fusion 360 would be an example of appropriate software used to create your finished project. Project should include an 8.5-inch x 11-inch three ring notebook with the following:

  1. What motivated you to create this project
  2. Software and equipment used
  3. Directions on how to create the project
  4. Prototype of plans
  5. Cost of creating a project
  6. Iterations or modifications made to original plans
  7. Changes you would make if you remade the project

Team Entry Option: To qualify for entry at the Nebraska State Fair team materials entered in H860008 – Maker Space/Digital Fabrication must clearly be the work of a team instead of an individual, and must have at least 50% of all team members enrolled in 4-H. Additionally, all enrolled 4-H members on the team should complete and attach an entry tag to the materials. A supplemental page documenting the individual contributions to the project should be included. The entry will be judged as a team, with all team members receiving the same ribbon placing.

 

*State Fair Eligible

Box Butte County Fair Book