H: STEM - Woodworking

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.  

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.  

WOODWORKING

In this category 4-H'ers have the opportunity to create exhibits about varying levels of woodworking. In addition, participants can also create informational exhibits about their woodworking projects. Through involvement in this category 4-H'ers will be better educated about the topic and better their woodworking skills.

Rules:

1. The ability to build objects as designed by another person is an important life skill. Professional woodworkers often are hired to build objects to exact specifications as laid out in a written plan.
2. All articles exhibited must include a plan (with drawing or sketch or blueprint) stating dimensions and other critical instructions a builder would need to know how to build the project and 4‑H member’s name and county. 
3. Plans may include narrative instructions in addition to the dimension drawings and include any alterations to the original plan.
4. Part of the score depends on how well the project matches the plans. If the plans are modified, the changes from the original need to be noted on the plans. All plans used for making the article must be securely attached and protected by a clear plastic cover.
5. All projects must have the appropriate finish. 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 at the State Fair. All outside projects exhibited at State Fair 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.
6. Part of the score depends on how well the project matches the plans. If the plans are modified, the changes from the original need to be noted on the plans. 
7. All plans used for making the article must be securely attached and protected by a clear plastic cover.

MEASURING UP - UNIT 1

*Not eligible for State Fair

*H 911 901 ARTICLE MADE WITH HAND TOOLS. Select from Unit I or use comparable plans from other sources.

*H 911 902 SECOND ARTICLE WITH HAND TOOLS. Select from Unit 1 or use comparable plans from other sources.

MAKING THE CUT - UNIT 2

*Not eligible for State Fair

*H 911 903 WOODWORKING ARTICLE selected from Unit II or use comparable plans from other sources, such as a bird house, foot stool, sawhorse OR similar item.

*H 911 904 SECOND ARTICLE

NAILING IT TOGETHER - UNIT 3

H 911 001 WOODWORKING ARTICLE  Item should be made using either joints, hinges, dowels, or a dado joining made using skills learned in the Nailing It Together manual. Item is required to be appropriately finished. Examples include: bookcase, coffee table or end table.

H 911 003 RECYCLED WOODWORKING DISPLAY (SF95) Article made from recycled, reclaimed or composite wood. Article must be appropriately finished and/or sealed and utilize one or more woodworking techniques from page 2 of the Unit 3 manual. Exhibit must include the woodworking plan and a minimum one-page report of how the engineering design process was used to develop the woodworking plan. 

Engineering Design Process

1. State the problem (Why did you need this item?)
2. Generate possible solutions (How have others solved the problem? What other alternatives or designs were considered?) 
3. Select a solution (How does your solution compare on the basis of cost, availability, and functionality?)
4. Build the item (What was your woodworking plan, and what processes did you use to build your item?)
5. Reason for article finish (What type of finish, how did you finish or why you chose this finish?)
6. Evaluate (How does your item solve the original need?)
7. Present results (How would you do this better next time?)

H 911 004 COMPOSITE WOOD PROJECT  60% of the project must be wood and 40% made from other materials such as metal, rubber, resin, etc. All plans and plan alterations 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 911 005 OUTDOOR WOOD PROJECT MADE WITH TREATED WOOD  Treated wood projects DO NOT have to have a finished coating. All plans and plan alterations must be attached to the article. Protect plans with a cover. If project is designed to be outside. Examples include picnic tables, planters, outdoor furniture, etc. 

FINISHING  UP - UNIT 4

H 911 007  WOOD PROJECTS CREATED ON A TURNING LATHE   Article is the object created from spinning wood on a turning lathe. Article must be appropriately finished and/or sealed. Exhibit must include plans detailing design and process of completion, any changes made to the design, details of finishing techniques, and other relevant information about the article. Must include a description of tools used.

H911007 - Woodworking Article Item made using skills learned in the Finishing It Up Project. Examples include: dovetailing, making a pen using lathe, overlays, using a router, etc. Item is required to be appropriately finished. 

H911008 - Recycled Woodworking Display (SF91) Article made from recycled, reclaimed or composite wood. Article must be appropriately finished and/or sealed and utilize one or more woodworking techniques from page 2 of the Unit 4 manual. Exhibit must include the woodworking plan and a minimum one-page report of how the design and engineering process was used to develop the woodworking plan. 

Engineering Design Process:

1. State the problem (Why did you need this item?) 

2. Generate possible solutions (How have others solved the problem? What other alternatives or designs were considered?) 

3. Select a solution (How does your solution compare on the basis of cost, availability, and functionality?) 

4. Reason for article finish (What type of finish, how did you finish or why you choose this finish?)

5. Build the item (What was your woodworking plan, and what processes did you use to build your item?) 

6. Evaluate (How does your item solve the original need?) 7. Present results (How would you do this better next time?) 
*H 911 010 CAREERS INTERVIEW  Interview someone who is working in the field of woodworking and research that career. Interviews can either be written or in a multimedia format (CD/DVD). Written interviews should be in a notebook. Written reports should be 3 to 5 pages, double spaced, 12-point font, and 1” margins. Multimedia reports should be between 3 to 5 minutes in length.