(STATE FAIR EXHIBIT)
The 4-H electricity and electronics program provides youth with educational information about electricity and how it can be used to benefit the human race.
State Fair Entries ‑ 5 electric exhibits per county, one per level; 1 electronic exhibit per county, level 5 Transportation of extra-large projects must be arranged for by 4-H member.
References: All posters, notebooks, and display boards must include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H member’s exhibit. See References under General Exhibit Information page 15 for additional guidelines.
Contact Us
Lauren Fenneman, Youth Development Educator
Purdue Extension Dubois County
505 W 5th Street
P.O. Box 588
Jasper, IN 47547
812-482-1782
lhaase@purdue.edu
Youth are encouraged to complete the activities as instructed in the manual or found on the
Judges evaluating exhibits should recognize individual differences and creativity, therefore using information in this document as a guide rather than a requirement.
It is recommended that a note be attached to the exhibit, explaining what was done, why, and the intended use of the item.
Posters are to be 22”x28” and displayed horizontally and placed in a clear
plastic sleeve or covered with clear plastic to protect contents. Display boards should be designed to
sit on a table using no more than 36” of tabletop space. Space should be left in the lower right-hand
corner to place an exhibit tag provided by Purdue Extension staff.
Electric Project Guidelines
Project Manual completion is not a requirement.
Exhibit one article of choice displaying proper wiring techniques, made during the current 4-H program year. It must demonstrate a minimum of five (5) or more of the appropriate level of “Skills to be Attained” items as outlined in the “4-H Electric and Electronic Skills & Knowledge Chart”. A completed copy of the “Exhibit Skills & Knowledge Sheet” must accompany the project. Skills sheets are for judging purposes only and will not be returned to the exhibitor.
Exhibit Suggestions:
- Circuit board – 6” by 6” of Series/Parallel Circuit
- Electromagnet
- Galvanometer
- Poster board (22” by 28”)
- Display (appropriately sized for displayed equipment)
- Notebook/Report that covers any topic that is in the National 4-H Electric Curriculum Electricity Excitement Book 1 or Investigating Electricity Book 2, Purdue Extension website Level 1 activities/project sheets, or from the appropriate level of the Skills & Knowledge Chart. Refer to the Written Report Scorecard, 4-H 824, to determine expected items to be included.
Exhibit one article of choice displaying proper wiring techniques, made during the current 4-H program year. It must demonstrate a minimum of five (5) or more of the appropriate level of “Skills to be Attained” items as outlined in the “4-H Electric and Electronic Skills & Knowledge Chart”. A completed copy of the “Exhibit Skills & Knowledge Sheet” must accompany the project. Skills sheets are for judging purposes only and will not be returned to the exhibitor.
Exhibit Suggestions:
- Magnetic Powered Shake Flashlight – with optional display
- Circuit board – 6” by 6” of Series/Parallel Circuit (with modifications if exhibited in Level 1)
- Electromagnet
- Galvanometer
- Electric Motor
- Poster board (22” by 28”)
- Display (appropriately sized for displayed equipment)
- Notebook/Report that covers any topic that is in the National 4-H Electric Curriculum Electricity Excitement Book 1 or Investigating Electricity Book 2, Purdue Extension website Level 2 activities/project sheets, or from the appropriate level of the Skills & Knowledge Chart. Refer to the Written Report Scorecard, 4-H 824, to determine expected items to be included.
Exhibit one article of choice displaying proper wiring techniques, made during the current 4-H program year. It must demonstrate a minimum of five (5) or more of the appropriate level of “Skills to be Attained” items as outlined in the “4-H Electric and Electronic Skills & Knowledge Chart”. A completed copy of the “Exhibit Skills & Knowledge Sheet” must accompany the project. Skills sheets are for judging purposes only and will not be returned to the exhibitor.
Exhibit Suggestions:
- Wiring Project – (ie. extension cord, trouble light, wire sizes and uses, plug configurations, test equipment, replace cord/cord end on a tool or piece of equipment, etc.)
- Electrical tool and supply kit
- Poster board (22” by 28”)
- Display (appropriately sized for displayed equipment)
- Notebook/Report that covers any topic that is in the National 4-H Electric Curriculum Wired for Power Book 3, Purdue Extension website Level 3 activities/project sheets, or from the appropriate level of the Skills & Knowledge Chart. Refer to the Written Report Scorecard, 4-H 824, to determine expected items to be included.
Exhibit one article of choice displaying proper wiring techniques, made during the current 4-H program year. It must demonstrate a minimum of five (5) or more of the appropriate level of “Skills to be Attained” items as outlined in the “4-H Electric and Electronic Skills & Knowledge Chart”. A completed copy of the “Exhibit Skills & Knowledge Sheet” must accompany the project. Skills sheets are for judging purposes only and will not be returned to the exhibitor.
Exhibit Suggestions:
- Wiring – Wire a lamp. The lamp can be a re-wired lamp or one that is built new.
- Electrical tool and supply kit
- Poster board (22” by 28”)
- Display (appropriately sized for displayed equipment)
- Notebook/Report that covers any topic that is in the National 4-H Electric Curriculum Wired for Power Book 3, Purdue Extension website Level 4 activities/project sheets, or from the appropriate level of the Skills & Knowledge Chart. Refer to the Written Report Scorecard, 4-H 824, to determine expected items to be included.
Exhibit one article of choice displaying proper wiring techniques, made during the current 4-H program year that demonstrates a minimum of five (5) or more of the appropriate level of “Skills to be Attained” items as outlined in the “4-H Electric and Electronic Skills & Knowledge Chart”. A completed copy of the “Exhibit Skills & Knowledge Sheet” must accompany the project. Skills sheets are for judging purposes only and will not be returned to the exhibitor.
Exhibit Suggestions:
- Equipment Wiring – including but not limited to: parts identification, appliance repair, lamps and other lighting, equipment wiring, control system, security system, topic that covers safety, motors/generators, electric heating, heat pumps, AC, water heaters, and other electric equipment.
- Home Wiring – included by not limited to any circuits found in the wiring of a house or “barn”, service entrance, switching, receptacles, generator transfer circuit, safety, electrical math, and others.
- Electronic Equipment – Any project or kit containing transistors or integrated circuits or vacuum tubes such as radio, TV, computer, robot, cell phone, and others.
- Poster board (22” by 28”)
- Display (appropriately sized for displayed equipment)
- Notebook/Report that covers any topic that is in the National 4-H Electric Curriculum Entering Electronics, Purdue Extension website Level 5 activities/project sheets, or from the appropriate level of the Skills & Knowledge Chart. Refer to the Written Report Scorecard, 4-H 824, to determine expected items to be included.
- Video Presentation - Create a video showing the work accomplished and skills learned. This video should include the same type of information as required in written notebook listed above. This video is to be no more than ten minutes in length and formatted as MP4 and submitted on a thumb drive. This video can also be uploaded to a YouTube account with the video being made public and the link submitted for evaluation.
Poster Guidelines
• All posters, notebooks, and display boards must include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H member’s exhibit. This reference list includes web site links, people and professionals interviewed, books, magazines, etc. It is recommended this reference list be attached to the back of a poster or display board, be the last page of a notebook, or included as part of the display visible to the public. A judge is not to discredit an exhibit for the manner in which references are listed.
• ALL posters must be 22x28 inches and displayed HORIZONTALLY 28” across. (Vertical posters will be dropped one place) All 4-H posters should use foam core board. This material can be used as the poster or can have a poster board attached to it.
• Foam core board may be purchased from the Extension Office. Be sure to purchase the correct size foam core board from other sources. It is not advisable to use plywood, or Masonite or similar materials for poster backing.
• Poster sleeves and salon print sleeves are available for purchase from the Extension Office and recommended. You may cover your poster with other clear plastic that is heavy enough not to wrinkle. DO NOT USE SARAN WRAP!!
• Project labels from the Extension Office must be attached to the lower right-hand corner of the poster on the outside of the plastic covering. Please allow room for this label when organizing your poster.
• Notebook exhibits must be displayed in a standard three ring binder.
Poster should "tell a story" or be informative to the audience. Will the viewer of your poster learn something from the exhibit?
• When designing your poster, consider: lines, shapes, textures, colors and placement of items.
• Pictures, graphics and artwork are encouraged.
• Make sure the poster accurately meets the guidelines and objectives of the activities in the manual.
• Information printed directly off the web will not be accepted.
• Materials included in the poster need to be educational, for the audience, and should demonstrate that the 4_Her was able to take what they learned from their research to create the poster.
Secrets of a Successful Poster
A successful poster will:
· Catch the eye of the passerby
· Be simple and clear
· Impress an idea or a fact upon the viewer
· Stimulate the viewer to support your idea, get more information, or take appropriate action.
· Have space left over—Posters that are uncluttered are easier to read.
An effective poster: attracts attention, focuses on a main interest or idea, and motivates you.
Planning A Poster
A poster should have one main idea. Have the reason clearly in mind before you start.
· Consider who your viewer will be
· Decide what you want them to know
· Decide what you want them to do
· Think of a clever theme or slogan
· Limit your effort to one main idea
· Make a small rough sketch
· Visual communication is an aid to what you are trying to teach with your project.
Choosing Colors
Color combinations affect how easily the message is read and the overall appearance of the poster.
· Consider the Contrast: This means you use dark letters on a light background, and light letters on a dark background.
· Let the most important items be the most important color.
· Colors that are close to the background shade will not show up well and cannot be read at a distance.
· Avoid using too many different colors. Two or three should be sufficient. You don’t want to overwhelm your main point!
· Avoid putting red and green next to each other—this is hard to focus on if a person is colorblind.
· Avoid bright neon colors—they may catch the eye, but they are hard to focus on.
Lettering
· Lower case letters are easier to read than all CAPITALS. Use capitals only for emphasizing an important phrase or word to give variety.
· Save fancy or script lettering for catching the attention of the viewer.
· When hand lettering, always use guidelines. Using a ruler, lightly pencil in straight lines that can be erased when your poster is complete.
· Letters may be cutout and glued on, or precut letters may be purchased.
· Keep written material to a minimum. Use only headings, captions and signs necessary to tell the story. Use different size lettering for items of varying importance.
· Allow margins to keep things from running together and looking too cluttered.
· Below is a table of letter sizes and their effectiveness:
*Ask your parents, 4-H Leader, or older 4-H member to look at your poster and tell you what they think.
Revise-Re-Do-Rearrange
1. Cut out all your letters, pictures and graphics.
2. Draw guidelines and place or draw in letters.
3. Lay all your pieces of your poster out on the poster board.
4. Ask yourself, “How does it look?”
5. Revise and rearrange as needed. Re-Do anything that should be a different size or color.
6. Move things around until you are happy with the overall effect and message of your poster.
7. Glue everything in place.
9. Remember—NEATNESS COUNTS!