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INCORPORATING NEBRASKA 4-H EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES
INTO 4-H PRESENTATIONS
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension 4-H Youth Development Program completed a statewide survey of Nebraskans in
2011. Based on feedback, the educational priorities for 4-H in our state will be focused through 2017 on the following areas:
• 4-H Science: Nebraska 4-H develops science interests, skills, and abilities in the areas of agriculture, energy, environmental
stewardship, and technology. It helps youth think and problem solve within a scientific framework and encourages an
excitement for science.
• Agricultural Literacy: Nebraska 4-H ensures that Nebraska youth have a knowledge and appreciation of Nebraska’s largest
industry.
• Career Development/College Readiness: Nebraska 4-H prepares youth to make informed decisions about their college and
career path and develops skills in young people that will lead to greater persistence in college and employability.
• Citizenship and Leadership: Nebraska 4-H fosters youth’s commitment to their communities and grows future leaders.
• Healthy Living: Nebraska 4-H educates youth about how to make healthy and safe decisions in their daily lives.
These educational priorities are being integrated into the Nebraska 4-H Program in many different ways -- at club meetings, at
workshops, at new programs, and more.
All presentations given at the 4-H Presentations Contest at the Nebraska State Fair should relate to how 4-H youth are learning about
4-H science, agricultural literacy, career development/college readiness, citizenship and leadership, or healthy living, through their 4-
H experiences or 4-H projects. Enrollment in the project area in which the participant is making a presentation is not required. Below
are some example presentation topics that show how various 4-H project areas can display what a 4-H youth is learning in one of the
five educational priority areas.
If you have any questions, please contact 4-H Presentations Contest Superintendents Tracy Pracheil ([email protected] or 402-472-
9016) or Cathy Johnston ([email protected] or 402-472-1762).
ANIMAL SCIENCE
(4-H projects related to Beef, Cat, Companion Animal, Dairy Cattle, Dog, Goat, Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, Sheep, Swine, Veterinary Science)
http://4h.unl.edu/web/4hcurriculum/animalscience
EXAMPLE
4-H PRESENTATION TOPIC
IDEAS
NEBRASKA 4-H OUTCOME
AREA
4-H Science
Agricultural
Literacy
Career
Development/
College Readiness
Citizenship/
Leadership
Healthy Living
Digestive track of cattle, How vaccines work
X
Importance of Animal Production Agriculture,
X
Volunteering at local vet office, Livestock judging, Record keeping
X
Teaching proper handling of animals, Steps of pet adoption
X
Nutritional value of chicken, Proper cooking methods for cuts of meat
X
COMMUNICATION AND EXPRESSIVE ARTS
(4-H projects related to Communications, Digital Video, Photography, Presentations, Theatre)
http://4h.unl.edu/web/4hcurriculum/communication
EXAMPLE
4-H PRESENTATION TOPIC
IDEAS
NEBRASKA 4-H OUTCOME
AREA
4-H Science
Agricultural
Literacy
Career
Development/
College Readiness
Citizenship/
Leadership
Healthy Living
How a lens reflects light, How a camera works, Communication through technology
X
Farming through photographs, How to talk about agriculture to others
X
Communication in the workplace, Verbal and Nonverbal parts of communication
X
Leadership in communication, Importance of art in your community
X
Creating a healthy meal by color, Getting over stage fright
X
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND EARTH SCIENCES
(4-H projects related to Conservation, Entomology, Forestry, Range, Shooting Sports, Wildlife)
http://4h.unl.edu/web/4hcurriculum/environment
EXAMPLE
4-H PRESENTATION TOPIC
IDEAS
NEBRASKA 4-H OUTCOME
AREA
4-H Science
Agricultural
Literacy
Career
Development/
College Readiness
Citizenship/
Leadership
Healthy Living
Tree identification, Identifying soil types and what they grow
X
Impact of insects in the field, Endangered species and how they effect agriculture
X
Life of a park ranger, Tree and forest health management
X
Recycling, Compost to reduce waste
X
Gun safety, Water quality monitoring, Making your home “green” friendly
X
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE
(4-H projects related to Clothing, Consumer Management, Entrepreneurship, Fiber Arts, Heritage, Home Environment, Human Development)
http://4h.unl.edu/web/4hcurriculum/consumerscience
EXAMPLE
4-H PRESENTATION TOPIC
IDEAS
NEBRASKA 4-H OUTCOME
AREA
4-H Science
Agricultural
Literacy
Career
Development/
College Readiness
Citizenship/
Leadership
Healthy Living
How fabric is dyed, Science of stain removal
X
Where does your clothing come from?, How cotton becomes fabric
X
Managing a budget, Time Management, Handling Money
X
History of your town, Community Clothing Drive
X
How to set financial goals, How to reduce energy and water usage
X
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES EDUCATION
(4-H projects related to Food and Nutrition, Health, Lifetime Sports, Physical Fitness, Safety)
http://4h.unl.edu/web/4hcurriculum/healthylifestyles
EXAMPLE
4-H PRESENTATION TOPIC
IDEAS
NEBRASKA 4-H OUTCOME
AREA
4-H Science
Agricultural
Literacy
Career
Development/
College Readiness
Citizenship/
Leadership
Healthy Living
The science of food, What’s my food made of?, How heat effects certain foods
X
Nutrition of corn, Farm safety
X
Rules of a sport, Sports as a career
X
Teaching the food pyramid, How to use First Aid, Accident prevention
X
Healthy eating, Weight control, Effects of smoking, Fire Safety
X
LEADERSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP
(4-H projects related to Citizenship, Leadership)
http://4h.unl.edu/web/4hcurriculum/leadershipandcitizenship
EXAMPLE
4-H PRESENTATION TOPIC
IDEAS
NEBRASKA 4-H OUTCOME
AREA
4-H Science
Agricultural
Literacy
Career
Development/
College Readiness
Citizenship/
Leadership
Healthy Living
Concepts of leadership, Science in our culture
X
What agriculture does for my community, Agriculture in politics
X
Leading on a team, How to manage a group project, Conflict management
X
Teaching the importance/values of leadership, Improvement project for your town
X
Meals from different countries, Lifestyles of different countries compared to the U.S.
X
PLANT SCIENCE
(4-H projects related to Crop Production, Horticulture)
http://4h.unl.edu/web/4hcurriculum/plantscience
EXAMPLE
4-H PRESENTATION TOPIC
IDEAS
NEBRASKA 4-H OUTCOME
AREA
4-H Science
Agricultural
Literacy
Career
Development/
College Readiness
Citizenship/
Leadership
Healthy Living
Parts of a flower, How seeds germinate, Pesticide & insecticide usage, Habits of plants
X
The many uses of corn, Identifying soil types and what they grow
X
Life of an agronomist, Arranging flowers
X
Planning a community garden, How to plant flowers,
X
Controlling insects, How to properly apply fertilizer to your lawn
X
SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY
(4-H projects related to Aerospace, Computers, Electricity, Robotics, 4-Wheelin’, Small Engines, Welding, Wind Energy, Woodworking)
http://4h.unl.edu/web/4hcurriculum/set
EXAMPLE
4-H PRESENTATION TOPIC
IDEAS
NEBRASKA 4-H OUTCOME
AREA
4-H Science
Agricultural
Literacy
Career
Development/
College Readiness
Citizenship/
Leadership
Healthy Living
How an engine works, All about the solar system, Parts of a computer, Astronomy
X
GPS on the farm, Engines in agriculture
X
Types of welds and where they’re used, Efficient use of electricity
X
Teaching ATV safety, How to build birdhouses
X
Wind as fuel, Internet Safety, Machinery Maintenance
X
