H: STEM - Small Engines and Tractors

Content

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 copy written 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/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 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: tri-fold 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.  
  1. 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. 
  2. 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. 
  3. Recommended QR Code Generator: https://www.qr-code-generator.com/ 
  4. 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.  

 

SMALL ENGINES

*This is a County Only project area. Not State Fair eligible.

Refer to STEM GENERAL RULES for more information, at the top of page 1.

CRANK IT UP - UNIT 1

*H 890 901 DISPLAY ITEM Exhibit demonstrating the skills learned in the Crank It Up project. Examples include parts of an engine, types of engines and uses, engine maintenance, or safety) Exhibit can be a poster display or an item. Include a report on what you did to the engine.

*H 890 902 INTERVIEW OR PRICE COMPARISON  Mount on an 8 ½ by 11 cardstock what you learned by doing an interview or price comparison. See pages 3033 for examples of what to include. May include a photo of person or item.

WARM IT UP – UNIT 2

*H 890 903 SMALL ENGINE DISPLAY/ITEM Show an application of one of the concepts learned in the Warm It Up project. Examples include: comparison of engine oil types, transmissions, or safety related to engines. Exhibit could be a poster display, or an actual item. Include a report on what you did to the engine.

*H 890 904 INTERVIEW OR PRICE COMPARISON  Mount on an 8 ½ by 11 cardstock what you learned by doing an interview or price comparison. See pages 3033 for examples of what to include. May include a photo of person or item.

TUNE IT UP – UNIT 3

*H 890 905 ENGINE DISPLAY/ITEM Display/Item should exemplify one of the lessons learned in the Tune It Up Project. Examples include: diagnostic tools, fuel systems, ignition systems. If a complete engine is exhibited it will not be started. However, display needs to report process of building/rebuilding engine and how/where engine will be utilized (i.e. lawn mower, weed eater, snow blower, etc.). Include a report on what you did to the engine.

*H 890 906 INTERVIEW OR PRICE COMPARISON  Mount on an 8 ½ by 11 cardstock what you learned by doing an interview or price comparison. See pages 3033 for examples of what to include. May include a photo of person or item.

 

TRACTOR OR FARM MACHINERY

*This is a County Only project area. Not State Fair eligible.

Refer to SET GENERAL RULES for more information, at the top of page 1.

*H 775 901 INDIVIDUAL TRACTOR SERVICES  - Record as outlined in Tractor Project Unit III or adapt service record in Unit IV.

*H 775 902 TRACTOR DEMONSTRATION DISPLAY - To be exhibited by an individual only. Exhibit should show some part or system of a tractor. Include a brief description of how the part or system functions. Prepare the display on a 24 inches high x 32 inches wide board not to exceed 3/8 inch in thickness.

*H 775 903 ANY PIECE OF MACHINERY THAT HAS BEEN REFURBISH AND /OR REFINED

*H 775 904 EQUIPMENT SAFETY Video or Poster presentation on safety with farm equipment