County Project: Do Your Own Thing
Description: With the help of adult guidance, young people can determine their own projects. The Do Your Own Thing project allows you to participate in a project that may not be included in the current 4-H program. Such projects can be developed to expand a current interest or to explore a new field. This particular project encourages the use and development of individual abilities and creativity.
State Fair Entries: None
OPTIONS:
- You may set up your own project and determine what you want to learn, set goals and determine what you will exhibit at the county fair.
- You may use a 4-H manual that is available for a state project not currently offered in Newton County and follow the exhibit guidelines listed in the manual for your grade and level.
Exhibit Guidelines:
- You may NOT choose an activity that duplicates the Guidelines of an existing project offered in Newton County (for example, crafts, scrapbooking). If you are unsure if your project qualifies for “Do Your Own Thing” or if it should be in another category, please contact the Extension Office and/or the 4-H Educator.
- Project exhibit must be educational (teach the observer something or show what you have learned).
- Projects will be judged by level.
- Level 1- Grades 3-5
- Level 2- Grades 6-8
- Level 3- Grades 9-12
NOTE: Exhibit guidelines are the same for each level.
- Exhibit can be a display, notebook, or 22” x 28” poster. A display can be no larger than 14” x 28” x 22”. If your project is larger than this size or is very valuable, you may bring it to the project judging along with a poster or notebook describing how and what you made. The project will be taken home after judging and the poster or notebook will be on display during the fair week and be displayed as your exhibit.
- Be sure to include at least a one-page summary of your exhibit with your project exhibit outlining why you selected this project and what you did to complete the project.
- It is recommended/suggested that all posters, notebooks, and display boards 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 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 or a lack thereof.