H: STEM - Welding

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 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/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: 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.  
  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.  

 

WELDING

Resources:

ARC Welding - Learn to cut metal with an arc solder; Weld high carbon, spring steel and alloy steels; Weld horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. 

URL: https://4hcurriculum.unl.edu/index.php/main/program_project/143

Rules:

  1. All welds exhibited in class 1 or 2 must be mounted on a 12 inch high x 15 inch long display board of thickness not to exceed 3/8 inch. Attach each weld on a wire loop hinge or equivalent, so the judge can look at the bottom side of the weld when necessary. Each weld should be labeled with information stated: 1) type of welding process (stick, MIG, TIG, Oxy-Acetylene, etc.); 2) kind of weld; 3) welder setting; 4) electrode/wire/rod size; and 5) electrode/wire/rod ID numbers. Attach a wire to display board so it can be hung like a picture frame. No picture frame hangers accepted.  If no plans are included with welding article or welding furniture, item will be disqualified.
  2. Fabricated board such as plywood, composition board, or particle-type lumber may be used for demonstration displays.
  3. Demonstration boards should be sanded and finished to improve their appearance. The finish on a demonstration board will be judged as a woodworking exhibit.
  4. 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. 
  5. If no plans are included with welding art, welding article, welding furniture or composite weld project item will be disqualified.
  6. 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. 
  7. 4-H WELDING PROJECT TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS: CLASS 1 
  8. All welds should be made with the same electrode/wire/rod size and number. 
  9. Welds should be made only on one side of metal so penetration can be judged. 
  10. Welds should be cleaned with chipping hammer and wire brush. Apply a coat of light oil (penetrating oil) to the metal to prevent rusting. Wipe off excess oil. 
  11. It is suggested that all welds be on the same size and thickness of metal. These pieces, referred to as coupons, should be 1.5 to 2 inches wide and 3.5 to 4 inches long. A good way to get this size is to buy a new cold rolled strap iron and cut to length. The extra width is needed to provide enough metal to absorb the heat from the welding process and prevent the coupons from becoming too hot before the bead is completed. Narrower coupons will become very hot, making an average welder setting too cold at the bead start, just about right in the middle, and too hot at the end. The correct way to weld narrow strips is to make short beads and allow time to cool, however, this project requires a full-length bead.
  12. STICK WELDING: Suggested coupon thickness - ¼ inch if using 1/8 inch rod. Suggested rod-AC and DC straight or reverse polarity- first E-7014, second E-6013.
  13. MIG WELDING: Suggested coupon thickness - ¼ inch if using .035 wire and 1/8 inch  if using .023 wire.
  14. OXY-ACETYLENE: Suggested coupon thickness - 1/8 inch. Suggested rod– 1/8 inch mild steel rod

8. 4-H WELDING PROJECT TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS: CLASS 2 

  1. It is suggested that all welds be on same size and thickness of metal. These pieces are referred to as coupons. The welds can be on one coupon that is about 4 inch x 4 inch or on individual coupons that are about 2 inch x 4 inch inch and ¼ inch thick. Suggested rods for this class of position welds for AC and DC straight or reverse polarity is, first E-6013, second E-7014 and E-6010 for DC reverse polarity only.
  2. Welds should be cleaned with a chipping hammer and wire brush. Apply a coat of light oil (penetrating oil) to the metal to prevent rusting. Wipe off excess oil.
  3. 4-H WELDING PROJECT TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS: CLASS 3 & 4. 

All welds should be cleaned and protected from rust with paint or light oil. Plans are to be complete enough that if they were given to a welding shop, the item could be made without further instructions. Bill of materials should include a cost for all items used including steel, electrodes, paint, wheels, etc.

All metal welding processes accepted.

 

ARCS AND SPARKS

H 920 001  WELDING JOINTS  A display of one butt, one lap, and one fillet weld. 

1. All welds should be made with the same electrode/wire/rod size and number.

2. Welds should be made only on one side of metal so penetration can be judged.

3. Welds should be cleaned with a chipping hammer and wire brush. Apply a coat of light oil (penetrating oil) to the metal to prevent rusting. Wipe off excess oil.

4. It is suggested that all welds be of the same size and thickness as metal. These pieces, referred to as coupons, should be 1.5 to 2 inches wide and 3.5 to 4 inches long. A good way to get this size is to buy a new cold rolled strap iron and cut it to length. The extra width is needed to provide enough metal to absorb the heat from the welding process and prevent the coupons from becoming too hot before the bead is completed. Narrower coupons will become very hot, making an average welder setting too cold at the bead start, just about right in the middle, and too hot at the end. The correct way to weld narrow strips is to make short beads and allow time to cool, however this project requires a full-length bead.

Stick welding:

 Suggested coupon thickness 1/4 inch if using 1/8-inch rod

 Suggested rod-AC and DC straight or reverse polarity-

 first E-7014, second E-6013

MIG welding:

 Suggested coupon thickness 1/4 inch if using .035 wire and 

 1/8 inch if using .023 wire

Oxy Acetylene:

 Suggested coupon thickness- 1/8 inch 

 Suggested rod-1/8-inch mild steel rod 

H 920 002  POSITION WELDS  A display showing three beads welded in the vertical down, horizontal, and overhead positions.

1. It is suggested that all welds be of the same size and thickness of metal. These pieces are referred to as coupons. The welds can be on one coupon that is about 4 inches x 4 inches or on individual coupons that are about 2 inches x 4 inches and 1/4 inch thick. Suggested rods for this class of position welds for AC and DC straight or reverse polarity is, first E-6013, second E-7014 and E-6010 for DC reverse polarity only.

2. Welds should be cleaned with a chipping hammer and wire brush. Apply a coat of light oil (penetrating oil) to the metal to prevent rusting. Wipe off excess oil. 

H 920 003  WELDING ART  Any art created using tack welds to hold the metal pieces together (examples include horseshoe projects). Type of welder, welder settings, all plans, plan alternations, and a bill for material must be attached to the article.  Protect plans with a cover.  If project is designed to be outside, it is required to have an appropriate outdoor finish.

H 920 004  WELDING ARTICLE Any shop article where welding is used in the construction. 60% of item must be completed by 4-Her and notes regarding laser welding or machine welding must be included. Type of welder, welder settings, all plans, plan alternations, and a bill for material must be attached to the article. Protect plans with a cover. If project is designed to be outside it is required to have appropriate outdoor finish because project may be displayed outside.

H 920 005  WELDING FURNITURE  Any furniture with 75% welding is used in the construction. 60% of item must be completed by 4-Her and notes regarding laser welding or machine welding must be included. Type of welder, welder settings, all plans, plan alternations, and a bill for material must be attached to the article. Protect plans with a cover. If project is designed to be outside it is required to have appropriate outdoor finish because project may be displayed outside.

H 920 006  PLASMA CUTTER/WELDER DESIGN  Plasma cutters/welders allowed for detailed design(s) to butt cut into metal. 4-H members will create a notebook describing the design process to create the "artwork" to butt cut into metal. In the notebook include: 

1) A photo (front and back) of the finished project; 

2) Include detailed photographs of the project to allow judges to examine cuts; 

3) Instructions on how the design was created (include software used) - this allows for replication of the project; 

4) Lessons learned or improvements to the project. 

5) Steps to finish the project.

H 920 007  COMPOSITE WELD PROJECT - (SF280) - 60% of the project must be welded and 40% made from other materials such as wood, rubber, etc. Type of welder, welder settings, all plans, plan alternations, and a bill for material must be attached to the article. Protect plans with a cover. If project is designed to be outside it is required to have appropriate outdoor finish because project may be displayed outside.