H: STEM - Rockets

STEM

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.

General Rules:

1. 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 the exhibit may be identified if the entry tag is separated from the exhibit.
2. Each individual is limited to one exhibit per class.
3. Demonstration boards should include an overall title for the display, plus other necessary labeling. 
4. Please refer to the General Rules for the policy regarding firearms, items with a blade, and other related items.
5. Please refer to the General Rules for the policy regarding use of copywritten images.
6. 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.
7. 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
8. 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. 
9. 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 (1. Hypothesis 2. Research 3. Experiment 4. Measure 5. 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.  

10. 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. 
11. 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. 
12. Recommended QR Code Generator: https://www.qr-code-generator.com/ 
13. Entries: Each 4‑H member is limited to one item per class

STEM Resources:

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

ROCKETS

Rules:

1. 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 the exhibit may be identified if the entry tag is separated from the exhibit.
2. Rockets must be supported substantially to protect the rocket from breakage. Rockets are to be mounted on a base that has dimensions equal or less than 12 inches x 12 inches and the base should be 3/4 inch thick. No metal bases. If the rocket fins extend beyond the edges of the required base (12 inches x 12 inches), then construct a base that is large enough to protect the fins. The base size is dictated by the size of the rocket fins. 
3. The rockets must be mounted vertically. Please do not attach sideboards or backdrops to the displays. In addition, a used engine or length of dowel pin is to be glued and/or screwed into the board and extended up into the rockets engine mount to give added stability. 
4. Rockets must be equipped as prepared for launching, with wadding and parachute or other recovery system. Rockets entered with live engines, wrong base size, or sideboards will be disqualified. 
5. A report, protected in a clear plastic cover, must include: 1) rocket specification (include original or photo of manufacture packaging stating rocket skill level); 2) a flight record for each launching (weather, distance, flight height); 3) number of launchings; 4) flight pictures; 5) Safety (How did you choose your launch site? Document safe launch, preparations, and precautions); 6) objectives learned; and 7) conclusions. 
6. The flight record should describe the engine used, what the rocket did in flight and recovery success. Points will not be deducted for launching, flight or recovery failures described. This includes any damage that may show on the rocket. Complete factory assembled rockets will not be accepted at the Fair. 
7. Judging is based upon display appearance, rocket appearance, workmanship, design or capabilities for flight, number of times launched and report. Three launches are required to earn the maximum launch points given on the score sheets.

• For self-designed rockets only, please include digital recorded copy of one flight. In the documentation please include a description of stability testing before the rocket was flown.
• Skill level of project is not determined by number of years in project. Skill level is determined by the level listed on the manufacturing packaging.
• 4-H Rocket project levels are not intended to correspond to National Association of Rocketry model rocket difficulty ratings or levels.

8. High-power rockets (HPR) are similar to model rocketry with differences that include the propulsion power and weight increase of the model. They use motors in ranges over “G” power and/or weigh more than laws and regulations allow for unrestricted model rockets. These rockets are NOT appropriate for 4-H projects and will be disqualified.
9. 3D Printed Rockets are deemed unsafe in fabrication and design for launch. These rockets are NOT appropriate for 4-H Rocket projects and will be disqualified if entered into Rocket Classes. 3D Printed Rockets are ACCEPTABLE if entered into 3D Printing Classes.  
10. Posters – see STEM General Rules.
11. Entry level rockets, made with PLASTIC FINS and PLASTIC BODY TUBES, are COUNTY ONLY projects.

H 850 001 ROCKET Any skill rocket with wooden fins and cardboard body tubes painted by hand or air brush.

H 850 002 AEROSPACE DISPLAY Poster or display board that displays or exemplifies one of the principles learned in the Lift Off project. Examples include display of rocket parts and purpose, explains the parts of a NASA rocket or shuttle, interview of someone in the aerospace field, or kite terminology. Include notebook containing terminology (definition), and what was learned. Display can be any size up to 22 inches by 28 inches.

H 850 003 ROCKET Any Skill Level Rocket with wooden fins and cardboard body tubes painted using commercial application, for example: commercial spray paint.

H 850 004 SELF-DESIGNED ROCKET Any self-designed rocket with wooden fins and cardboard body tubes. 

 *H 850 901 FLOPPED ROCKET EXHIBIT - Rocket that did not launch successfully or was irretrievable. Complete your report to the point where your rocket was lost. Please explain in your own words what happened and why your exhibit is not complete. Will be awarded a participation ribbon. Not State Fair Eligible.