Computers

Computer Science

Department H - Section 860
Premium Schedule B

►ALL STATIC EXHIBITS MUST HAVE RECEIVED A PURPLE RIBBON AT THE COUNTY FAIR TO ADVANCE TO THE STATE FAIR.

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 Extension Office

GENERAL INFORMATION

The name and county of each exhibitor should appear separately on the back of each board, poster or article and on the front cover of the notebooks so owner of exhibit may be identified if the entry tag is separated from the exhibit.

Demonstration boards should be sanded and finished to improve their appearance. The finish on a demonstration board will be judged as a woodworking exhibit.

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 copywritten images. 

Team Entries  To qualify for entry at the Nebraska State Fair 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 go.unl.edu/2026nesfstem by August 15th, 2026. 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 for links on several devices to check for appropriate permissions for public viewing. 

Posters in this department can by any size up to 28 inches x 22 inches when ready for display. Example: trifold poster boards are not 28 inches x 22 inches when full open for display. 

Several classes require a display board which should be a height of 24 inches and not to exceed 1/4” thickness. A height of 24 7/8 inches is acceptable to allow for the saw kerf (width) if two 24 inches boards are cut from one end of a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of plywood. Nothing should be mounted within 3/4” of the top or bottom of the board. (Example: Woodworking & Electricity.)

  • Fabricated board 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. 

 STATE FAIR EXHIBIT INFORMATION

  • 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.
  • 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 ATATACHED to project with string, zip ties, etc.

Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hstem

GENERAL INFORMATION

The name and county of each exhibitor should appear separately on the back of each board, poster or article and on the front cover of the notebooks so owner of exhibit may be identified if the entry tag is separated from the exhibit.

COMPUTERS BOOTING UP - UNIT 1

901.     Design your own exhibit -  Please contact the Extension Office to discuss your project and to determine it’s acceptability.

 COMPUTER MYSTERIES – UNIT 2

*1.        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 inch x 11 inch notebook which should include two parts: 

  1. A Detailed report describing
  • The task to be completed
  • The computer application software required to complete the task
  • Specific features of the computer application software necessary for completing the task
  1. 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 (5 different cards such as a birthday, wedding, anniversary, sympathy get well or other)
  • business card (3 cards for 3 different individuals and businesses)
  • menu (minimum of 2 pages including short description foods and pricing); book layout (I-book)
  • promotional flyer (3 flyers promoting 3 different events)
  • newsletter (minimum 2 pages)
  • or other: examples such as precision farming or family business logo etc. 

*2.        Produce a Computer Slide Show Presentation - Using presentation software a 4-H member designs a multimedia computer presentation on one topic related to youth. A 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 sound do not count). Each slide should include notes for a presentation all slide show must be uploaded. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules. 

COMPUTER MYSTERIES – UNIT 3

*3.        Produce an Audio/Video, Computer Presentation- 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 8.5-inch x 11 inch three-ring notebook with a printout of all the slides should be submitted. The presentation should be at least 2 minutes in length and no more than 5 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 deadlines listed in the department rules. 
*4.        How to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Presentation - 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 deadlines listed in the department rules. 
*5.        Virtual Platform Presentation— Youth design a fully automated education presentation using any multimedia platform such as TikTok, 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 deadlines listed in the department rules.  
*6.        Create a Web Site/Blog or App - Design a simple web site/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 deadlines listed in the department rules. 
*7.        3D PRINTING - 3D printing uses plastic or other materials to build a three-dimensional (3D) object for a digital design. Youth may use original designs or someone else’s they have re-designed 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 or cookie cutter. Must include design notebook that addresses the following questions.

  • ·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?
  • 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 state in f#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.
  • 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)?
  • What materials were selected for your project?
  •  If your final design has any moving parts, define how you determined appropriate allowance in your design.
  • Identify any changes that you would make to improve your design.

*8.        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 you finished project. Project should include a 7.5 inch x 11 inchnotebook with the following: 

  • What motivated you to create this project?
  • Software and equipment used
  • Directions on how to create the project.
  • Prototype of plans.
  • Cost of creating project.
  • Iterations or modifications made to original plans.
  • 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 H860007 – 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. 

Dakota~Thurston County Fairbook