Department H, Division 860 – Computer Science
This category gives 4-H members an opportunity to display their knowledge and skills gained relating to computers. Through participation in this department 4-H members will develop presentations that show judges their knowledge in the different aspects of computer science. Involvement in STEM Computers gives participants first-hand experience in modern technology. For help getting started with this project contact your county 4-H 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 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: 1. Hypothesis 2. Research 3. Experiment 4. Measure 5. Report or Redefine Hypothesis. (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 copywritten images.
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.
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.
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.
Computer Mysteries - Unit 1
*H860902 - Create a poster on a lesson learned in Unit 1 Examples might include: hardware, software programs, how to take care of a computer and operating systems.
*H860903 - Commercial Software Utilization Exhibit will be a notebook of documentation and printouts using each section of a commercial program. (i.e. - Microsoft Works: Word Processor, Database, Spreadsheet.) The notebook will include the following areas: a) cover page; b) printouts of each section offered by the software; c) a paragraph explaining can be used.
*H860904 - Hardware/Software Selection The exhibitor shall enter a completed software selection record book including a report on the hardware and/or software that was selected to meet specific needs. Exhibits should be written from a consumer point of view explaining the steps taken during the experience.
*H860905 - 4-H Promotional Flyer Exhibit should be on an 8.5 inches x 11 inches page using a commercially available graphics software package. Flyer can be color or black and white. Flyers can be a whole page or a folded flyer.
*H860906 - Computer Art Poster (Black & White) Exhibit should be created on at least an 8.5 inches x 11 inches page using a commercially available graphics software package and a single color printer. No theme required.
*H860907 - Computer Art Poster (Color) Exhibit should be created on at least an 8.5 inches x 11 inches page using a commercially available graphics software package and color printer/plotter. No theme required.
*H860908 - Computer Designed Greeting Card Exhibit will consist of six greeting cards, each for a different occasion/holiday. Cards should be created on an 8.5 inches x 11 inches page using commercially available graphics program and either single color or color printer/plotter. The cards should vary in folds and design. Tell which software program was used. Prefabricated cards from commercially available card programs will NOT be accepted. No theme required. Put cards in some type of protective cover.
*H860909 - Utilizing the Internet Exhibit will be a notebook of Web sites used to plan a real or fictitious vacation. Notebook will consist of at least four different Web sites illustrating the following: 1) airfare and/or directions to drive to destination, 2) hotels/motels in the area, 3) things to do (i.e. baseball game, Disney World, amusement park) and 4) a maximum one‑page text telling the steps taken to plan the vacation. List Web sites for each site and tell how you may be able to use the Web to plan or research other things in the future.
Computer Mysteries - Unit 2
H860001 - Computer Application Notebook 4-H member should use computer application to create a graphic notebook utilizing computer technology. This exhibit consists of a 8.5 inches x 11 inches notebook which should include two parts:
1. A detailed report describing: (a) the task to be completed, (b) the computer application software required to complete the task, (c) specific features of the computer application software necessary for completing the task
2. 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 should as a birthday, wedding, anniversary, sympathy get well or other); a 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); or other: examples such as precision farming or family business logo etc.
H860002 - Produce a Computer Slideshow Presentation-Unit 2 Using presentation software a 4-H member designs a multimedia computer presentation on one topic related to youth. A 8.5 inch x 11 inch three-ring notebook with a printout of all the slides should be submitted. 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. FOR STATE FAIR ONLY: 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 Using presentation software a 4-H member 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. FOR STATE FAIR ONLY: 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 4-H member 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. FOR STATE FAIR ONLY: All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.
H860005 - Virtual Platform Presentation4-H member 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. FOR STATE FAIR ONLY: 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 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. FOR STATE FAIR ONLY: All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.
H860007 - 3D Printing 3D printing uses plastic or other materials to build a three-dimensional (3D) object from a digital design (including 3D Pen Creation). 4-H member may use original designs or someone else’s they have redesigned in a unique way. Exhibits will be judged based on the motivation and/or problem identified. For example, 3D objects printed as part of the design process for robot or other engineering project. 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 This project is a computer generated project 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 an appropriate software used to create your finished project. Project should include a 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 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.