This category involves the many different aspects of Robotics. 4-H members will learn more about how robots are designed and developed as well as the mechanical and electronic elements of robots. Involvement in STEM Robotics gives 4-H members a first-hand experience in modern technology.
RULES:
- 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 the notebooks so owner of the 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.
- Please refer to the General Rules for the policy regarding firearms, items with a blade, and other related items.
- Please refer to the General Rules for the policy regarding the use of copywritten images.
- Premier 4-H Science Award is available in this area.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Entries per Individual - One entry per exhibitor per class. Limit of 4 entries per exhibitor per project.
All static exhibits must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair.
Scoresheets and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hstem.
Recommended QR Code Generator: https://www.qr-code-generator.com/
ROBOTICS CLASSES
PREMIUMS: Purple: $4.00; Blue: $3.00; Red: $2.00; White, $1.00
H861001 Robotics Poster (Scoresheet SF236) - Create a poster (28 inches x 22 inches) communicating a robotics theme such as “Robot or Not”, “Pseudocode”, “Real World Robots”, “Careers in Robots”, “Autonomous Robotics”, “Precision Agriculture” or a robotic topic of interest to the 4-H member.
H861002 Robotics Notebook (Scoresheet SF237) - Explore a robotics topic in-depth and present your findings in a notebook. Documentation should include any designs, research, notes, pseudocode, data tables or other evidence of the 4-H member’s learning experience. The 8.5 inch by 11 inch notebook should contain at least three pages. Topics could include a programming challenge, programming skills, calibration, sensor exploration, or any of the topics suggested in Class 1.
H861004 Robotics/Careers Interview (Scoresheet SF239) - Interview someone who is working in the field of robotics and research a career in robotics. Interviews can either be written or in a multimedia format (CD/DVD) such as a short video uploaded to a cloud sharing service. Include a QR code with your project to allow for judging access. Multimedia reports should be between three to five minutes in length. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules. Written interviews should be in an 8.5 inch x 11 inch notebook. Written reports should be three to five pages, double spaced, 12-point font, and 1-inch margins.
H861005 Robotics Sensor Notebook (Scoresheet SF241) - Write scratch code which includes at least three sensor activities. Include the code written and explain the code function. Codes can be submitted as a multimedia format uploaded to a cloud sharing service. Include a QR code with your project to allow judging access. Multimedia presentations should be three to five minutes in length. State Fair qualified digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.
H861007 Kit Labeled Robot (cannot be free programmed)and Notebook (Scoresheet SF243) - This class is intended for explorations of robotic components such as arms or vehicles OR educational kits marketed as robots that do not have the ability to be programmed to “sense, plan and act.” The exhibit should include a notebook with the robot the youth has constructed. Included in the notebook should be (1) a description of what the robot does, (2) pictures of programs the robot can perform, (3) why they chose to build this particular form, and (4) how they problem solved any issues they might have had during building and programming. A picture story of assembly is recommended. If the robot is more than 15 inches wide and 20 inches tall, it may not be displayed in locked cases (at the State Fair). For State Fair: If the robot is too large, we recommend you create a video of how your robot works. We recommend that you submit the project under class H861003 – Robotics Video in the Robotics Showcase.
H861008 3D Printed Robotics Parts (Scoresheet SF244) - This class is intended for 4-H members to create parts through 3D printing that help create their robot or aid the robot in completing a coded function. Project should include a notebook describing the process used to create the project, describe the success of your designed piece (did it work), intended use of the product and the modifications made to the item.
**H861901 Junk Drawer Robotics Exhibit – Not eligible for State Fair.
**H861902 County Only Robotics Exhibit – This exhibit does not fall into any of the State Fair Classes.