(STATE FAIR EXHIBIT)
This project will help you study insects and their relationship with people. You can also learn how to collect, preserve, and identify insects.
State Fair Entries:
3 collection exhibits per county, one per level; 3 educational exhibits per county, one per level.
Manual Information: Project Manual completion is not a requirement.
Judges evaluating collection exhibits should judge based on educational content, scientific accuracy, eye appeal and creativity.
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
Collection Exhibit Guidelines:
Collections are to include the following:
- Title as Insect Collection year in Entomology
- Order – refer to ID-401, Find forms here.
- Display – mounted insects are to have been legally and personally collected in the United States and displayed in an 18”x24” collection box displayed horizontally. Collections including multiple boxes are to be numbered 1 of 3, etc. ID 401 A-F cards (for grades 3-8) and 401-I cards (for grades 9 - 12) are to be placed inside the display box in an attractive manner.
- Identification – Collection display boxes are expected to contain the specified number of insects, families, and orders specified (see chart below). All insects must be in the adult stage and be properly mounted on insect pins or be contained in vials as directed.
- Pin Labels - Each pin or vial must contain two labels:
- Top label is to include collection date, location, and collector name.
- Bottom label is to include common name and other optional identification data.
- Box Labels – Box labels (computer generated or neatly printed) are used for orders and families as required (see chart below) and are to be placed flat against the bottom of the box.
- Insects must be properly grouped directly under the correct order and family label. For example, all insects belonging to a particular order must be placed under that order label.
- Orders to be used are listed in the reference book ID- 401. If family level identification is required, the insects should be further grouped together under the correct family label.
- Educational Box – One additional box (educational), based on the specific theme (see chart below), is required for grades 9-12, in addition to the insect collection boxes. This box can be created in any manner chosen (without the mounting, pinning or identifying restrictions specified above).
Monarch Butterfly Statement:
Q: Many have noticed the decrease in number of Monarch butterflies both in Indiana and throughout
the country and wonder if and how Entomology at Purdue is responding. Are 4-H and youth still
required to catch these endangered insects for their collection boxes?
A: Monarch butterflies are now officially on the threatened species list. While we know that collecting
Monarch butterflies for 4-H collections or displays does not constitute a significant risk to their
population when compared to the effects of climate change, pesticide contamination and habitat loss,
capitalizing on this opportunity to discuss their decline is an excellent way to bring public focus to this
important issue. We want our youth (and all IN citizens) to recognize the Monarch butterfly,
understand its biology and be empathetic to its conservation.
Therefore, we have instituted the following update to our youth and 4-H Entomology programs.
Effective Immediately, we no longer encourage students to ‘collect’ Monarch butterflies for exhibits.,
displays or 4-H insect collections. But rather than simply removing the Monarch butterfly from the list
of 150 insects that 4-H students are to recognize, we want to highlight is so that students really do
learn to recognize them and understand their peril. After all, the more we are familiar with this
species, the more apt we will be to assist and support the conservation of this iconic species.
Link to a recent article from our Department pertaining to Monarch butterflies
(https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/where-have-all-the-monarch-butterflies-gone/)
Spotted Lanternfly Statement:
Q: Are there any new changes to rules or directions for the 4-H or FFA youth projects or competitions
that students and coaches should look for?
A: To keep the youth Career Development (CDE judging) and 4-H collection projects current, it is
important to occasionally add new insects to the list. Due to the invasion of a serious new insect pest
throughout the Midwest called the Spotted Lanternfly, we have added it to the list of insects found in
the “How to Make an Awesome insect Collection and (ID-401) and Who Let the Bugs Out (ID-402)
extension resources. Please be aware that students are now expected to identify and understand its
biology and behavior as well as its potential impact in Agriculture.
Indiana 4-H Youth Development partners with Purdue University academic departments to develop 4-H project guidelines. The Monarch butterfly and Spotted Lanternfly statements are provided by Dr. Timothy J. Gibb Department of Entomology.
Guidelines
Create a collection based on the year in Entomology or an educational exhibit.
- 1st year 10 insects, identified and pinned on cards (ID401A) Total Boxes 1
- 2nd year 20 insects, mounted (pins or vials). Identify all insects by common name and identify five (5) to order. Include card ID(401B) Total Boxes 1
- 3rd year 30 insects, mounted (pins or vials). Identify all insects by common name and identify 15 to order. Include ID 401C. Total Boxes 1
Create a collection based on the year in Entomology or an educational exhibit.
- 4th year 40 insects, exhibit a minimum of 6 orders, mounted (pins or vials). Identify all insects by common name and order. Include ID401D.Total Boxes 2
- 5th year 50 insects, exhibit a minimum of 8 orders, mounted (pins or vials). Identify all insects by common name and identify ten (10) to family. Include card ID 401E. Total Boxes 2
- 6th year 60 insects, exhibit a minimum of 10 orders, mounted (pins or vials). Identify all insects by common name and order. Identify 30 to family. Include ID 401F. Total Boxes 2
Create a collection based on the year in Entomology or an educational exhibit. Advanced level insect collections are to also include an education box, for a total of four boxes. Advanced level youth may instead create an independent study topic of choice.
7th year 70 insects, exhibit a minimum of 12 orders, mounted (pins or vials). Identify all insects by common name, order, and family. One educational box, theme: insect behavior. Include ID401D. (1-3 collection boxes plus 1 educational box*). Place ID 401I in first collection box only. Card ID 401I download. Total Boxes 3
8th year 80 insects, exhibit a minimum of 14 orders, mounted (pins or vials). Identify all insects by common name, order, and family. One educational box, theme: insect pest management. Include card ID 401I. (1-3 collection boxes plus 1 educational box*) Place ID 401I in first collection box only. Total Boxes 3
9th year 90 insects, exhibit a minimum of 16 orders, mounted (pins or vials). Identify all insects by common name, order, and family. One educational box, theme: insects in the environment. Include card ID 401I. (1-3 collection boxes plus 1 educational box*) Place ID 401I in first collection box only. Total Boxes 3
10th year 100 insects, exhibit a minimum of 18 orders, mounted (pins or vials). Identify all insects by common name, order, and family. One educational box, theme: benefits of insects. Include card ID 401I. (1-3 collection boxes plus 1 educational box*) Place ID 401I in first collection box only. Total Boxes 3
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!