STEM
STEM gives 4-H members an opportunity to display their knowledge and skills gained relating to computers, drones, electricity, energy, geospatial, robots, rockets, 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 count Extension Office.
The name and county of each 4-H member 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.
Demonstration boards should include an overall title for the display, plus other necessary labeling.
Reports should be written using the scientific method whenever possible: a. Hypothesis b. Research c. Experiment d. Measure e. 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.
Reports should be written using the scientific method whenever possible (Background, the Question or hypothesis, what you plan to do and what you did, Method used and observations. Results: What you learned. All reports should be computer generated and enclosed in a clear, plastic cover. The reports should be attached securely to the display.
Please refer to the General Rules for the policy regarding firearms, items with a blade, and other related items.
Please refer to the General Rules for the policy regarding use of copyrighted images.
Premier 4-H Science Award is available in this area.
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.
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.
Posters in this department can be any size up to 28 inches by 22 inches when ready for display. Example: tri-fold poster boards are not 28 inches by 22 inches when fully open for display.
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.)
• Fabricated boards such as plywood, composition board, or particle-type lumber may be used for demonstration displays.
• Demonstration boards should be sanded and finished to improve their appearance. The finish on a demonstration board will be judged as a woodworking exhibit.
• Demonstration boards should include an overall title for the display, plus other necessary labeling.
• Reports should be written using the scientific method whenever possible (background, the question or hypothesis, what you plan to do and what you did, method used and observations, results: what you learned. All reports should be computer generated and enclosed in a clear plastic cover. The reports should be attached securely to the display.
If the project (for example, picnic tables, wishing wells, swings, chairs, bridges, doghouses, etc.), is designed to be used outside, it will be displayed outside.
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.
Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hstem