Energy
Department H - Section 900
Premium Schedule B
►ALL STATIC EXHIBITS MUST HAVE RECEIVED A PURPLE RIBBON AT THE COUNTY FAIR TO ADVANCE TO THE STATE FAIR.
This category provides 4-H members a way to present their ideas about renewable energy resources. Through participation in this category 4-H’ers will learn more about physics, friction, energy, and elasticity. In addition, participants will make a display to go along with their findings. For more resources and materials in this category refer to the resource section. For help getting started with this project contact your county 4-H 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
CLASSES
*1. Create and Compare Energy Resources Poster - Poster should explore 2 alternative/renewable energy resources. are and contrast the 2 resources including two of the following information: amount of energy created, costs of production, usability of the energy, pros/cons of environmental impacts, etc. Posters can be any size up to 28 inches by 22 inches.
*2. Experiment Notebook - Notebook will explore the scientific method involving alternative/renewable energy sources. Information required.
1) Hypothesis
2) Research
3) Experiment
4) Measure
5) Report or Redefine Hypothesis
.*3. Solar as Energy Display/Poster - Item should be the original design of the 4-H member. Include the item, or a picture if item is in excess of 6 feet tall or 2 feet x 2 feet. Include a notebook of why the item was designed and how it harnesses the power of the sun. Examples include solar ovens, solar panels, etc.
*4. Water as Energy Display/Poster - Item should be the original design of the 4-H member. Include the item, or a picture if item is in excess of 6 feet tall or 2 feet x 2 feet. Include a notebook of why the item was designed and how it harnesses the power of water.
*5. Wind as Energy Display/Poster - Item should be the original design of the 4-H member. Include the item, or a picture if item is in excess of 6 feet tall or 2 feet x 2 feet. Include a notebook of why the item was designed and how it harnesses the power of water.
*6. Other Nebraska Alternative Energy - Notebook should explore Nebraska an alternative energy source besides wind, water, and solar power. Include information on type of power choses, infrastructure for distribution, what resources are needed to create this alternative resource, cost of production, and potential uses of bio-products. Examples include geothermal, biomass, ethanol, bio-diesel, methan reactors, etc.