A little planning can go a long way when starting a new 4-H project. Explore technology interests and decide how to apply those interests to project work, leadership experiences and community service. This will help you develop a successful 4-H technology project.
Project Work
- Learn about technology and how it works
- Read project manuals
- Attend workshops
- Interview experts
- Create and give a PowerPoint presentation
- Keep 4--H records using a database
- Build and program robots
- Build a computer from used parts
- Tour a science museum or an observatory
- Learn about weather from a local news station
- Study the science and technology involved in food processing
- Enter these technology projects in the fair:
- Altered digital photo
- Altered scanned photo
- Flat flyer
- PowerPoint
- Web page
Leadership Experience
- Start a technology project club
- Write an electronic 4--H newsletter
- Teach a technology program to other 4-H members at club meetings, special project days, school classes or after school programs
- Start a 4--H club or county e-mail list
- Build a 4--H club Web site
- Teach 4--H ’ers to take and alter digital photos
- Give a demonstration about what’s inside a computer
- Teach a robotics program
Community Service
- Teach Internet and e--mail classes at the library or community center
- E--mail a thank you message from the 4-H club to soldiers serving overseas
- Hold a recycling drive for used or discarded computers
- Teach grandparents how to download photos of their grandchildren
- Set up a fair booth to take digital photos of children for identification. Photos can be given to parents on disk for emergency identification purposes.
- Map the local community using GPS and GIS technology
- Help community—based organizations with computer problems (community center, church, YMCA, Salvation Army, etc.)
Technology is quickly becoming a part of many 4-H projects. Here ’s a list of project areas and some technology applications that may be used to enhance the learning experience:
4-H Project - Technology Application
- Leadership -Internet and e-mail
- Record keeping -Database management
- Public speaking -PowerPoint presentations
- Visual arts -Digital design
- Gardening, horticulture -Weather information
- Photography -Digital photography
- 4-H promotion -Web site development
- Agriculture, environmental education -GPS
Internet Resources
The Internet is a great place to look for project resources but there are important questions to ask yourself about the credibility of the information you find.
Is this information from an educational
institution, university or school?
OR
Is this information from an individual who may not
be a reliable source?
Sometimes it’s best to start with Web sites written
or endorsed by 4-H programs (Oklahoma or other states.)
An example of an appropriate resource is Computer Mysteries,
4-H curriculum developed by Purdue University 4-H specialists.
For more information about 4-H
Technology projects contact your
Cooperative Extension county office.
