Robotics

Robotics

Department H - Section 861
Premium Schedule B

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

This category involves the many different aspects of Robotics. Participants will learn more about how robots are designed and developed as well as the mechanical and electronic elements of robots. Involvements in STEM Robotics gives participants a first-hand experience in modern technology. For more resources and materials in this category refer to the resources.

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 ATTACHED 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.        Robotics Poster - Create a poster (28 inches x 22 inches) communicating a robotics theme such as “ Robot or Not”, “Pseudocode”, “Real World Robots”, “ Careers in Robots”, “Autonomous Robotics:” “Precision Agriculture” or a robotic topic of interest to the 4-H’ member.
*2.        Robotics Notebook - Explore a robotics topic in-depth and present your findings in a notebook. Documentation should include any designs, research, notes, pseudocode, data tables or other evidence of the 4-H’ers learning experience. The 8.5 x 11 inch notebook should contain at least three pages. Topics could include a programming challenge, a programming skill, calibration, sensor exploration, or any of the topics suggested in Class 1.
*4.        Robotics Careers Interview - Interview someone who is working in the field of robotics and research the career in robotics. Interviews can either be written or in a multimedia format such as a short video uploaded to a cloud sharing service. Include a QR code with your project to allow for judging access. Multimedia reports should be between three to five minutes in length. 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. Written reports should be three to five pages, double spaced, 12-point font and one-inch margins.
*5.        Robotics Sensor Notebook - Write pseudo code which includes at least three sensor activities. Include the code written and explain the code function. Codes can be submitted as a multimedia format uploaded to a cloud sharing service.  Include a QR code with your project to allow judging access. Multimedia presentations should be 3 to 5 minutes in length. 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. Written reports should be three to five pages, double spaced, 12-point font and one-inch margins.
*7.        Kit Labeled Robot (cannot be programmed.)and Notebook - This class is intended for explorations of robotic components such as arms or vehicles OR educational kits marketed as robots that do not have the ability to be programmed to “sense, plan, and act.” The exhibit should include a notebook with the robot  the youth has constructed. Included in the notebook should be: 

1) a description of what the robot does
2) pictures of programs the robot can perform
3) why they chose to build this particular form
4) how they problem solved any issues they might have had during building and programming. 

A picture story of assembly is recommended. If robot is more than 15 inches wide and 20 inches it they may not be displayed in locked cases. If the robot is to large, we recommend you create a video of how your robot works. We recommend that you submit the project under class H861003 – Robotics Video in the Robotics Showcase.

*8.        3D Printed Robotics Parts -  This class is intended for 4-H members to create parts through 3D printing, that help create their robot or aid the robot in completing a coded function. Project should included note book describing the process used to create the project, describe the success of your designed piece (did it work), intended use of the product and the modifications made to the item. 

Dakota~Thurston County Fairbook