Awards:
Craig and Cindy Evans, Winside - Champion Senior Engineering
Jeff and Lisa Farran, Winside – Reserve Champion Senior Engineering
Craig and Cindy Evans, Winside - Champion Junior Engineering
Dave Quinn Family, Winside – Reserve Champion Junior Engineering
Premiums: Purple $4.50, Blue $4.00, Red $3.50, White $3.00 Participation $3.00
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (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, welding, and woodworking. Through participating in this department, 4-H members will present their knowledge in these areas as they relate to STEM.
A. 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 exhibit may be identified if the entry tag is separated from the exhibit.
B. 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.
- 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.
C. 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.
D. Posters in this department can be any size up to 28 inches x 22 inches when ready for display. Example: trifold poster boards are not 28 inches x 22 inches when fully open for display.
E. 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.
F. Please refer to the General Rules for the policy regarding firearms, items with a blade, and other related items.
G. Please refer to the General Rules for the policy regarding use of copywritten images. H. Premier Science Award is available for this area.
I. Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hstem. J. Recommended QR Code Generator: https://www.qr-code-generator.com/
K. Entries: Each 4-H member is limited to one item per class.
Magic of Electricity (Unit 1) Classes: Not State Fair Eligible
H-870-901 Electrical Display/Item (SF277) - Exhibit demonstrating the skills learned in Unit 1 (flashlights (no kits allowed), test switch, etc.)
H-870-902 Poster (SF277) - Should exemplify one of the lessons learned in the Magic of Electricity project. Posters can be any size up to 28 inches x 22 inches.
Investigating Electricity (Unit 2) Classes: Not State Fair Eligible
H-870-903 Electrical Display/Item (SF277) - Exhibit demonstrating the skills learned in Unit 2 (rocket launcher, alarm, etc.)
H-870-904 Poster (SF277) - Should exemplify one of the lessons learned in the Investigating Electricity project. Posters can be any size up to 28 inches x 22 inches.
Wired for Power (Unit 3) Classes:
+H-870-001 Electrical Tool/Supply Kit (SF226) - Create an electrical supply kit to be used for basic electrical repair around the house. Include a brief description of each item and its use. Containers should be appropriate to hold items.
+H-870-002 Lighting Comparison (SF226) - Display studying the efficiency of various lighting (incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, Light Emitting Diodes, etc.). Exhibit could be a poster display, or an actual item.
+H-870-003 Electrical Display/Item (SF226) - Show an application of one of the concepts learned in the Wired for Power project. Examples include re-wiring or building a lamp, re-wiring or making a heavy-duty extension cord or developing an electrical diagram of a house. Exhibit could be a poster display, or an actual item.
+H-870-004 Poster (SF277) - Poster should exemplify one of the lessons learned in the Wired for Power Project.
Entering Electronics (Unit 4) Classes:
+H-870-005 Electrical/Electronic Part Identification (SF226) - Display different parts used for electrical/electronic work. Exhibit should show the part (either picture or actual item) and give a brief description, including symbol of each part and its function. Display should include a minimum of 10 different parts.
+H-870-006 Electronic Display (SF229) - Show an application of one of the concepts learned in the Entering Electronics project. Examples include components of an electronic device (refer to page 35 of the Entering Electronics manual).
+H-870-007 Electronic Project (SF229) - Exhibit an electronic item designed by the 4-H member or from a manufactured kit that shows the electronic expertise of the 4-H member. Examples include: a radio, a computer, or a voltmeter.
+H-870-008 Poster (SF277) - Poster should exemplify one of the lessons learned in the Entering Electronics Project. Posters can be any size up to 28 inches x 22 inches.