Science, Engineering and Technologyand Agriculture and Natural ResourcesJudging Workshop

Getting to Know You…

• Name, Hometown and County

• Years Judging

• One piece of judging wisdom you could share or one thing you would like to know

• Describe a Science, Mechanics and Engineering or Ag Project that “wowed” you

Lets start with 3 questions

• Share three questions you have about judging, or about the 4-H Learning Process in Science, Engineering and Technology or Agricultural and Natural Resources projects each on a note card

Agriculture and Natural Resources Exhibits• Animal Science; Beef, Dairy Cattle, Dairy Goat, Dog,

Horse, Meat Goat, Pets, Poultry, Rabbit, Sheep, Swine, Vet Science

• Horticulture; Gardening, Vegetables, Flowers, Landscaping. Herbs

• Crop Production• Outdoor Adventures; Camping, Hiking, Canoeing,

Fishing

• Shooting Sports

Science, Engineering & Technology• Mechanics; Electrical, Energy, Welding, Small

Engines, Restored Tractors, Restored Implements, Restored Auto, Mechanical and Metal Restoration

• Science & Technology; Aerospace & Rocketry, Biological & Chemical Sciences; Computers & Networking, Digital Storytelling; Earth and Climate; Environment and Sustainability—Energy, Forestry,Entomology; GPS/GIS Mapping, Robotics, Science in our Everyday Lives

• Woodworking

Review of the Iowa 4-H Youth Development Experience

• Guiding Principles

Vision

A world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change

Mission

4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential working and learning with caring adults.

Review of the Iowa 4-H Youth Development Experience

• Values

We the youth and adults of the 4-H movement value:

– Youth as powerful members of society– Youth and adults as caring partners– Learning as a lifelong commitment– Diversity and social conscience– Doing our best and making it better

Review of the Iowa 4-H County Fair Judging Process

• Judging the 4-H exhibit is just a small, but extremely important part of the 4-H Experience

• We have the opportunity to make this an interactive learning process that in itself is a reward and an important part of the life long learning process

• It is critical to be excited and engaging with every 4-H’er to let them know how important it is that they are participating in this learning process

Critical Elements that make this judging process a valuable step in the 4-H’ers life long learning1. Start by letting them know that this is an

important step in just bringing in their exhibit and that this judging is just “a part” of the learning process for them.

2. This opportunity to interact with you should be an opportunity to stimulate growth and motivate the youth to learn more. After visiting with you are they motivated to go out and get started on another project?

Critical Elements that make this judging process a valuable step in the 4-H’ers life long learning3. In counties that suggest or require write-ups,

there’s a delicate balance in reading it enough to let the 4-H’er know you appreciate their work, but not to rely on it too much since the 4-H’er is sitting with you.

Critical Elements that make this judging process a valuable step in the 4-H’ers life long learning4. Work hard to find out how this exhibit fits into

their learning process about this project. a) Is this their first attempt?

b) Was this just a chance to see if they like working with welding?

c) Is this just a project more motivated by Mom than by the 4-H’er?

d) Is this something they wanted to make? What tools and skills did they use in working on their project?

Critical Elements that make this judging process a valuable step in the 4-H’ers life long learning5. Yes, “To make the best better,” is still the 4-H

Motto. Use this judging process for the 4-H’er to share with you what things they would do differently if they had to do it all over again. Many times they know what didn’t go so well and what they would do over if they had time or resources.

1. Share your knowledge with them as if you were working with them on the next project to make a process easier or more complete.

Critical Elements that make this judging process a valuable step in the 4-H’ers life long learning6. An important part of the learning process is

learning to share sources of information, where they found the idea or information for their project.

7. It is important for youth to learn Safety procedures in working with the equipment

8. Learning to figure costs associated with constructing, building, and restoring is a very important skill associated with any SMA and Ag & Natural Resources Exhibit

Critical Elements that make this judging process a valuable step in the 4-H’ers life long learning

9. Always stress the learning and accomplishments that have taken place rather than the award.

Important Resources for Judging• Project Hot Sheets—Resources for Project

• Project Tip Sheets-What a judge is looking for

• Harvesting and Preparing Vegetables for Exhibit-4H462

• Preparing Cut Flowers and Houseplants for Exhibit-4H464

• Creating an Entomology Project-4H422

Tackling Tough Issues

• School Projects• Small number of Agricultural

Projects to choose from for Iowa State Fair (Quality Issue)

• County Fair Selected for State Fair Project vs. The Exhibit Judging Process at the State Fair

Tackling Tough Issues

• The club workshop “Bird House” or “Metal Flower” projects

• The wonderful learning that is directed in the 4-H Project Literature vs. the reality of the 4-H Learning process directed by self learning or passing on skills from Dad or Grandpa..Mom or Grandma

Tackling Tough Issues• The Ag and Natural Resources Poster

Project– Do they make graphics and letters large

enough?– When sharing Data, is it easy to

understand and have a description to help us understand?

– Did they cite sources?– What did they learn from the research or

what is the “Big Learning” from the exhibit?– Who is the audience they are

communicating with?

State Fair Issues

• The Write Up, The Write Up, The Write Up• Quality vs. Quantity• SME…Woodworking now has refinished

pieces with the focus on the refinishing and restoration process

• Ag and Natural Resources…– Tri Fold Displays must be no larger than 4 ft X

4 ft when laid flat—No top title piece