Aerospace

Description: The 4-H aerospace program provides youth with educational information and experiences about aerodynamics, flight and rocketry.

State Fair Entries: 3 rockets, drones, remote control aircraft, posters, notebooks or display boards per county; one per level.

Exhibit 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 should/might include website 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 way references are listed. 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. Judges evaluating exhibits should recognize individual differences and creativity, therefore using information in this document as a guide rather than a requirement. “Ready to Fly” and E2X rockets are not permitted. Rockets may be exhibited with a base, but launch pads are not permitted. All rockets must weigh less than 3.3 pounds and considered an amateur rocket according to FAA regulations. Remote control aircraft or drones may be constructed from a kit or purchased ready-to-fly. The power source (rocket engine, battery pack, etc.) is to be removed before being placed in public exhibition. Rockets will not be launched and remote control aircraft or drones will not be flown at state fair. Launching rockets and flying aircraft or drones at the county level is optional based on adult supervision experience.

Exhibit Class Guidelines:
Beginner (grades 3-5 suggested)
Construct a rocket of your choice designed for a new model rocket enthusiast with a difficulty level that is appropriate for the suggested grade level, or a poster or display board on any topic in the manual. Similar topics not included in the manual are permissible. Rockets cannot be ready-to-fly (RTF) or have plastic fins. Cluster engine rockets and rockets that take an engine D or above are not permitted in this level. Remote control aircraft or drone of your choice that is age/grade appropriate and compliant with FAA regulations, federal and state laws, and local ordinances. This exhibit choice is to include a notebook or poster including how the aircraft/drone was used and aerospace skills learned. Displaying the aircraft or drone is optional.Other topics could include ow a quadcopter operates, controls used to fly a quadcopter, UAV regulations administered by Feceral Aviation Administration, commercial and emergency uses of UAVs, and more.

Intermediate (grades 6-8 suggested)
Construct a rocket of your choice designed for a model rocket enthusiast with some experience and with a difficulty level that is appropriate for the suggested grade level, or a poster or display board on any topic in the manual. Similar topics not included in the manual are permissible. Rockets cannot be ready-to-fly (RTF) or have plastic fins. Cluster engine rockets and rockets that take an engine E or above are not permitted in this level. Remote control aircraft or drone of your choice that is age/grade appropriate and compliant with FAA regulations, federal and state laws, and local ordinances. This exhibit choice is to include a notebook or poster including how the aircraft/drone was used and aerospace skills learned. Displaying the aircraft or drone is optional. Other topics could include interviewing a certified UAV pilot who works in law enforcement, EMS, fire, Purdue Extension, commercial or other application. Other options include creating a flight plan or interfacing with other computer software.

Advanced (grades 9-12 suggested)
Construct a rocket of your choice designed for an experienced model rocket enthusiast and with a difficulty level that is appropriate for the suggested grade level, or a poster or display board on any topic in the manual. Similar topics not included in the manual are permissible. Rockets cannot be ready-to-fly (RTF) or have plastic fins. Cluster engine rockets and rockets that take an engine G or above are not permitted in this level. Remote control aircraft or drone of your choice that is age/grade appropriate and compliant with FAA regulations, federal and state laws, and local ordinances. This exhibit choice is to include a notebook or poster including how the aircraft/drone was used and aerospace skills learned. Displaying the aircraft or drone is optional. Other topics could include using “stitching” software to produce an orthomosaic map for a research purpose, identifying Department of Transportation Aeronautical Chart features and explain how these are important to drone pilot, how to obtain a drone pilot license, or more. If 16 years of age or older the member could obain a license by completing and passing the official FAA Part 107 UAV licensing test.