Superintendents: Greg Lamphiear, Karen Nagel
# of Entries: One per class (unless otherwise noted)
Premium: Purple $3.75; Blue $3.25; Red $2.50; White $1.25
Static exhibits must receive a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair.
General STEM Information
- The name and county of each 4-H member should appear separately on the back of each board, poster or article and on the front cover of notebooks so owner of exhibit may be identified if the entry tag is separated from the 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.
- NO FIREARMS, ITEMS WITH A BLADE (broad heads, knives, saws, etc.) or related items of any other kind, may be exhibited. This applies to actual items, replicated items and item parts. Shooting sports accessories are permissible as described in the Conservation, Wildlife and Shooting Sports Fairbook.
- USE OF COPYWRITTEN IMAGES - Copyrighted writing, artwork, videos, and images may be used in 4-H educational exhibits under Fair Use for educational purposes of Copyright Law. In order to qualify for Fair Use, 4-H’ers must: 1) only use a small amount of the copy-written work, 2) add new meaning to the work to make it original, 3) rework it and use it in a totally different way, and 4) use it for nonprofit purposes (not to make money). Giving credit to the original creator is also recommended.
- Videos should 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.
- Posters can be any size up to 28” x 22” when ready for display. Ex. tri-fold posterboards are not 28” x 22” when fully open for display.
Several classes require a display board which should be a height of 24 inches and not to exceed 1/4" in thickness. A height of 24 7/8" is acceptable to allow for the saw kerf (width) if two 24-inch boards are cut from one end of a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood. Nothing should be mounted within 3/4" of the top or bottom of the board. (Ex: 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: 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.
Premier Science Award
- The Premier Science Award encourages youth to identify science skills they have used in completing their 4-H projects!
- The Premier Science Award is open to any 4-H member with at least one static exhibit selected for the Nebraska State Fair. Exhibitors may apply with one exhibit from any project area/department.
- To apply, identify which exhibit you will enter and complete the award application below by noon on Monday, August 17, 2026.
- More information and application can be found here: https://go.unl.edu/NSFPremierScienceApp
All applicants will be recognized and will be eligible for a Premier 4-H Science Top exhibitor award, including a cash award sponsored by the Nebraska 4-H Foundation.