4-H PROJECTS
By enrolling in a 4-H project, you are given the opportunity to explore a specific area of interest. Members have the opportunity to learn more about a subject matter through completing hands on activities. In order to enroll in a project, members must sign up for them through the 4HOnline enrollment system. Each project has a manual that guides the youth through the learning process as well as a set of guidelines that helps them meet the project requirements. Each project has a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level; this allows youth to build on their knowledge each year and continue to challenge their skills. Projects are meant to be worked on over time, providing an educational opportunity for youth outside of the classroom setting. Often times, youth will exhibit and display their project at a local fair in order to show the community what they have learned.
Learning about a 4-H project is fun - it involves meeting others that share your interest, engaging in hands-on experiences that allow you to learn by doing, going on field trips, participating in events that test your skills, and much more. All projects also provide opportunities to develop your record keeping, community service, leadership, career options, and presentation skills. If you'd like to get started on a project on your own (no club affiliation yet), "Statewide Independent 4-H'ers" (under "clubs" in 4HOnline enrollment system) or SPIN! (special interest) projects are for you! Please check out our many options below.
There is no limit to the number of projects youth can sign up for, however, we suggest starting out with one or two your first year. If you know what project(s) you are looking for, simply find it listed under a specific category listed below, or download this 1-pager.
Learning about a 4-H project is fun - it involves meeting others that share your interest, engaging in hands-on experiences that allow you to learn by doing, going on field trips, participating in events that test your skills, and much more. All projects also provide opportunities to develop your record keeping, community service, leadership, career options, and presentation skills. If you'd like to get started on a project on your own (no club affiliation yet), "Statewide Independent 4-H'ers" (under "clubs" in 4HOnline enrollment system) or SPIN! (special interest) projects are for you! Please check out our many options below.
There is no limit to the number of projects youth can sign up for, however, we suggest starting out with one or two your first year. If you know what project(s) you are looking for, simply find it listed under a specific category listed below, or download this 1-pager.
Soon, all of the topics below will be clickable links. Thank you for your patience.
|
Citizenship and Civic Education
Citizenship (local, state, national) Cultural Education Genealogy State Exchange Global Education International Exchange Understanding Physical and Mental Limits Volunteerism Service Learning Community Service Communications and Expressive Arts
Communication Arts Speaking/Radio/TV Writing/Poetry Performing Arts Clowning/Mime Dance Movement Drama/Theater Music/Sound Visual Arts Arts and Crafts Beading Ceramics Porcelain Doll Flower Arranging Leather Craft Paper Fabric Craft Stencilling Plastic Canvas Wood Carving/Engraving Drawing, Painting, Sculpture Graphic Arts, Displays, Exhibits Photography, Video Consumer and Family Sciences
Child Development, Child Care, Babysitting Clothing and Textiles Sewing Construction Wardrobe Management Modeling Quilting Knitting Crochet Needlecraft/Knot Tying Consumer Education Financial Literacy Home Improvement Parenting and Family Life Education |
Environmental Education and Earth Science
Environmental Stewardship Earth, Water, and Air Geology and Minerals Weather and Climate Soils and Soil Conservation Water Water Conservation Energy (general, home, farm, transportation) Forests, Rangeland, and Wildlife Forestry Wildlife and Fisheries Outdoor Education Adventure/Challenge Shooting Sports Waste Management Composting Recycling Household Hazardous Waste Healthy Lifestyle Education
Chemical Health Mental and Emotional Health Foods and Nutrition EFNEP FSNEP Foods Safety Foods Preservation Foods Preparation Breads Outdoor Cooking Cake Decorating Physical Health Fitness and Sports Growth, Development and Disease Health Rocks Home Nursing, First Aid/CPR Sexual Health Safety ATV Safety Automotive Safety Bicycle Safety Communities for Child Safety Emergency Preparedness Tractor and Machine Safety Certification Personal Development and Leadership
Career Exploration and Employability Critical Thinking Skills Economics, Business, and Marketing Entrepreneurship Introductory 4-H Projects (5-8 yrs) Hobbies and Collections Leadership Skills Development Youth and Adult Partnerships Leisure Education (general) Personal Development (general) Reading Literacy Social Recreation Skills Values Clarification Character Education Self-Determined project |
Plants and Animals
Ag in the Classroom Animals Aquaculture Beef Birds and Poultry Cats Dogs Raising Guide Dogs Dairy Cattle Goats (dairy, hair, meat) Horse/Pony Rabbits/Cavies Sheep Small Lap Animals, Pets Swine Alpacas and Llamas Emus and Ostriches Plants Crops/Weeds Flower Garden/House Gardens - Fruit/Vegetable Junior Master Gardener Ornamental Horticulture Science and Technology
Science/Technology Literacy Biological Sciences Animal Science Aquatic Science Entomology and Bees Food Science Marine Science Meat Science Plant Science Poultry Science/Embryology Veterinary Science Technology and Engineering Aerospace Automotive Bicycle Computer Technology Robotics Electric Electronics GPS/GIS Ham Radio Engine/Tractor/Field Wood Science/Industrial Physical Sciences Astronomy Chemistry Mathematics Physics |
A self-determined project (created by you) allows YOU to decide:
If you are already enrolled for this 4-H project, then get started! If you haven't signed up yet, go to your 4HOnline enrollment, and choose "self-determined" from the project pull down menu.
Create Your Project
A 4-H project includes all the learning and activities that you do in one subject area during the entire year. It includes citizenship activities, leadership activities, and communication activities along with learning about your interests.
Follow these easy steps to create your project!
Step 1: Define topic. "I would like to learn about..." or "I would like to learn how to..."
Step 2: Gather and evaluate information. "I can get information on this topic from..." Remember to keep a record of useful web sites and other information sources. Identify who is responsible for the information. The web address can help you identify the kind of organization responsible for the website:
--An educational institution is indicated by .edu
--Those with .gov are funded by a government agency.
--Professional organizations, such as scientific or research societies, are identified by .org
Step 3: Determine action. What will you do? What do you want to do with the information?
Step 4: Design an action plan. "To reach my goal by the deadline I set, I need to...."
Step 5: Anticipate roadblocks. What might you need to do differently?
Step 6: List all the things you do for your project.
Step 7: Evaluate. Did you reach your goal in the timeline you set? Why? Why not? What was easy? What was hard? What did you learn?
Step 8: Share what you've learned with someone else. "I will share what I learned by...."
Step 9: Tell someone else. "I shared what I learned by...."
Step 10: Celebrate!
(Thank you to Iowa State Extension 4-H for these excellent guidelines!)
All motivated youth are able to create a self-determined project if they wish. Guidelines can be found on our 4-H partner state sites HERE for how to go about designing and implementing your unique project (Iowa 4-H), HERE (Colorado 4-H), or HERE (North Dakota 4-H).
- What you want to learn
- What you want to do, and
- How you want to share what you learn.
If you are already enrolled for this 4-H project, then get started! If you haven't signed up yet, go to your 4HOnline enrollment, and choose "self-determined" from the project pull down menu.
Create Your Project
A 4-H project includes all the learning and activities that you do in one subject area during the entire year. It includes citizenship activities, leadership activities, and communication activities along with learning about your interests.
Follow these easy steps to create your project!
Step 1: Define topic. "I would like to learn about..." or "I would like to learn how to..."
Step 2: Gather and evaluate information. "I can get information on this topic from..." Remember to keep a record of useful web sites and other information sources. Identify who is responsible for the information. The web address can help you identify the kind of organization responsible for the website:
--An educational institution is indicated by .edu
--Those with .gov are funded by a government agency.
--Professional organizations, such as scientific or research societies, are identified by .org
Step 3: Determine action. What will you do? What do you want to do with the information?
Step 4: Design an action plan. "To reach my goal by the deadline I set, I need to...."
Step 5: Anticipate roadblocks. What might you need to do differently?
Step 6: List all the things you do for your project.
Step 7: Evaluate. Did you reach your goal in the timeline you set? Why? Why not? What was easy? What was hard? What did you learn?
Step 8: Share what you've learned with someone else. "I will share what I learned by...."
Step 9: Tell someone else. "I shared what I learned by...."
Step 10: Celebrate!
(Thank you to Iowa State Extension 4-H for these excellent guidelines!)
All motivated youth are able to create a self-determined project if they wish. Guidelines can be found on our 4-H partner state sites HERE for how to go about designing and implementing your unique project (Iowa 4-H), HERE (Colorado 4-H), or HERE (North Dakota 4-H).
SPIN! is Alaska 4-H Special Interest project guide. It can be found HERE.
SPIN! was designed as sort of a bridge between the "traditional" 4-H community club and an "independent" 4-H'er.
SPIN! was designed as sort of a bridge between the "traditional" 4-H community club and an "independent" 4-H'er.
- Traditional Community/Project Clubs usually are formed around a common interest (i.e. animals, gardening, robotics, sewing, etc.) and have regular meetings, elect officers, fundraise, etc.
- Independent 4-H'ers do not typically attend any sort of club meetings; they have an interest and either choose a project from the 4-H curriculum or design their own (see also "self-determined project guide" above).
- SPIN! participants choose ready-made modules and complete the activities, guided by a project-specific mentor. It is organized as a semester-long class, since Alaska 4-H is "your first class at UAF", and participants get to choose from several options each semester.
