Projects: Computer Mysteries 1, Computer Mysteries 2, Computer Mysteries 3
General Instructions: STEM
Labeling: 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 the owner of the exhibit may be identified if the entry tag is separated from the exhibit.
Demonstration Boards: Demonstration boards should include an overall title for the display, plus other necessary labeling.
Posters: 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.
Display Boards: 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 four-foot by eight-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 demonstrations 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: Reports should be written using the scientific method whenever possible:
- Hypothesis
- Research
- Experiment
- Measure
- Report or Redefine
All reports should be computer generated and enclosed in a clear plastic cover. The reports should be attached securely to the display.
General Rules: 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 use of copywritten images.
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: State Fair qualified videos, presentations and other electronic exhibits should be submitted to https://go.unl.edu/2025nesfset 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.
Outside Projects: 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 State Fair. 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.
Division 860
—Computer 1—
Classes 900-909 in this division are ineligible for State Fair
Class H860900 Poster Create a poster on a lesson learned in Unit One. Examples: hardware, software programs, how to take care of a computer, operating systems, etc. A poster should not exceed 22” inches x 28” inches and may be either vertical or horizontal.
Class H860901 4-H Promotional Flier Exhibit should be created on 8.5” inches x 11” inches page using a commercially available graphics software package. Can be color or black and white. Can be a whole page or a folded flier.
Class H60902 Computer Art Poster (Black & White) Exhibit should be created on at least 8.5 inches x 11 inches paper using a commercially available graphics software package.
Class H860903 Computer Art Poster (Color) Exhibit should be created on at least 8.5 inches x 11 inches paper using a commercially available graphics software package.
Class H860904 Hardware/Software Selection Exhibit will be a notebook including a two page minimum, neatly written or typed report on the hardware and/or software that was selected to meet specific needs. Exhibit should be written from a consumer point of view explaining the steps taken during the experience.
Class H860905 Computer Designed Greeting Card Exhibit will consist of six greetings cards, each for a different occasion/holiday. Exhibit should be created on 8.5 inches x 11 inches paper using a commercially available graphics program. The cards should vary in folds and design. Prefabricated cards from commercially available card programs will not be accepted. No theme required.
Class H860906 Internet Exploration Exhibit will be a notebook consisting of the following four areas:
- three e-mails sent requesting a reply
- the reply to each of the e-mails
- print-outs of three websites
- what you liked and did not like about each website
Class H860907 E-Mail and Attachment Exhibit will consist of a one paragraph e-mail introducing your project. The attachment will be a one-page text telling the steps taken to complete and send the e-mail and the attachment and the benefits of this project.
Class H860908 Digital Camera Display Exhibit will consist of a series of pictures showing how you used computer software to enhance or change a single digital camera picture. Exhibit should explain what hardware and software was used and how software was used to change each picture.
Class H860909 Utilizing the Internet Exhibit will be a notebook of websites used to plan a real or fictitious vacation.
Notebook Will Consist of At Least Four Different Web Sites Illustrating the Following:
- Airfare and/or directions to drive to destination
- Hotels/motels in the area
- Things to do (i.e. baseball game, Disney World, amusement park, etc.)
- A maximum one-page text telling the steps taken to plan the vacation. List websites for each and tell how you may be able to use the web to plan or research other things in the future.
—Computer 2—
*Class H860001 Computer Application Notebook 4-H exhibitor should use computer application to create a graphic notebook utilizing computer technology. This exhibit consists of an 8.5 inch x 11 inch notebook which should include two parts:
- Detailed report describing:
- The task to be completed
- The computer application software required to complete the task
- Specific features of the computer application software necessary for completing the task
- Print out of your project. Project may be in color or black and white. 4-H member may create any of the following:
- Greeting Card (five different cards such as a birthday, wedding, anniversary, sympathy, get well or other)
- Business Card (three cards for three different individuals and businesses)
- Menu (minimum of two pages including short description of foods and pricing)
- Book layout (I-book)
- Promotional flyer (three flyers promoting three different events)
- Newsletter (minimum two pages)
- Other (examples such as precision farming or family business logo etc.)
*Class H860002 Produce a Computer Slideshow Presentation Using presentation software a 4-H exhibitor designs a multimedia computer presentation on one topic related to youth. An 8.5 inch x 11 inch three-ring notebook with a printout of all the slides should be submitted. Slideshow should include a minimum of 10 slides and not more than 25. Incorporate appropriate slide layouts, graphics, animations, and audio (music or voice and transition sounds do not count). Each slide should include notes for a presentation. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.
—Computer 3—
*Class H860003 Produce an Audio/Video Computer Presentation Using presentation software a 4-H exhibitor designs a multimedia computer presentation on one topic related to youth, including audio and/or video elements. A notebook with a printout of all the slides should be submitted. The presentation should be at least two minutes in length and no more than five minutes in length, appropriate graphics, sound and either a video clip, animation, or voice over and/or original video clip. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.
*Class H860004 “How To” STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Math) Presentation Youth design a fully automated two to five minute 4-H “how to” video. Submissions should incorporate a picture or video of the 4-H member, as well as their name (first name only), age (as of January 1 of the current year), years in 4-H, and their personal interests or hobbies. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.
*Class H860005 Virtual Platform Presentation Youth design a fully automated educational presentation using any multimedia platform such as Tik Tok, YouTube, Canva, Canvas, etc. Submissions may include a notebook, poster, etc., explaining the process, experience, and/or/presentation. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.
*Class H860006 Create a Website/Blog or App Design a simple website, blog or app for providing information about a topic related to youth. Include an explanation of why the entry was created. Any current website, blog, or app development platform is accepted such as Google Sties, IBuildApp, Wix, etc. All digital exhibits must be uploaded according to the guidelines and by the deadline listed in the department rules.
*Class H860007 3D Printing 3D printing uses plastic or other materials to build a three-dimensional (3D) object for a digital design (including 3D Pen Creation). 4-H members may use original designs or someone else’s they have re-designed in a unique way. Exhibits will be judged based on the motivation and/or problem identified. For example: 3D objects printed as a part of the design process for robot or other engineering project.
Must include design notebook that address the following questions:
- What was the motivation for your design or the problem you were solving with your design? i.e. Is your item a functional or decorative piece?
- Please include a picture of original design, citation of designer/website OR if design is completely original (you created it using CAD software), then state that it’s original. If item was not completely original, indicate what you did to the original design to modify it to better meet the design problem stated in #1 above. If design was modified multiple times, please indicate what change was made with each modification, and what prompted the need for the change. i.e. I printed it and the design was to fragile, so I resliced the print to make thicker external walls, or to have a denser infill.
- Define your process for designing/printing. What software and/or hardware was used (indicate type of 3D printer or if item was created with 3D pen)?
- What materials were selected for your project?
- If your final design has any moving parts, define how you determined appropriate allowance in your design.
- Identify any changes that you would make to improve your design.
*Class H860008 Maker Space/Digital Fabrication This project is a computer generated project created using a laser cutter, vinyl cutter, heat press or CNC router. Vector or 3D based software such as Corel Draw or Fusion 360 would be an example of an appropriate software used to create your finished project.
Project should include a 8.5 inch x 11 inch three-ring notebook with the following:
- What motivated you to create this project
- Software and equipment used
- Directions on how to create the project
- Prototype of plans
- Cost of creating project
- Iterations or modifications made to original plans
- Changes you would make if you remade the project
Team Entry Option: To qualify for entry at the Nebraska State Fair team materials entered in H860008-Maker Space/Digital Fabrication 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.