Demonstration Categories:
- General Agriculture
- General Home Economics
- Foods and Nutrition
- SET (Science, Engineering and Technology
Additional Contests:
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Personal Development (also called Good Grooming): Contestants will be judged during a personal interview. Junior 4-H'ers also will be tested on grooming while Senior 4-H'ers must submit a resume.
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Public Speaking: Contestants will give a three- to five-minute speech on any subject. (An essay written in school could be developed into a speech.)
Planning Your 4-H Demonstration
Choosing A Topic
You can start with choosing a topic by asking yourself some basic questions:
What projects am I taking?
What areas interest me?
In the areas above, what is something that I can easily demonstrate in about five minutes?
Purpose: Determine the specific purpose of your demonstration topic. State it in one simple sentence. For example: I want to demonstrate how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Demonstration Ideas
How to Introduce Your Demonstration Topic
Once you have decided on a demonstration topic, write an attention-getting introduction. Think about these sample introductions:
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Tell them what you are going to teach them.
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Tell them why you chose to demonstrate this topic.
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Tell them why your topic is important to others.
Your Demonstration Speech Outline
You've picked out a good demonstration topic. Now you must figure out how to present and demonstrate this to your listeners step by step. Outline the steps of your topic. Show the steps or moves you have to make in a logical, chronological order. Describe the details clearly. Assume that the audience knows nothing about your demonstration topic. Include each step.
Example: How To Subscribe to an Internet Newsletter
Step 1: Fill in the blanks - name, e-mail, etc.
Step 2: Submit your request.
Step 3: Check your mailbox to see if you have received a confirmation e-mail.
Just show them how to do it, step by step.
Demonstration Conclusion
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Re-emphasize main points
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Show the benefit of others doing this activity
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State where you got your information
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Ask judges if they have any questions
Preparing the Poster
Example Poster
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How to Make Glue
½ Cup Milk
2 tsp. vinegar
¼ tsp. baking soda
Small crock pot
Small mixing Bowl
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Pour the milk into the crock pot
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Heat milk slowly. Stir the milk until it is hot but not boiling. Turn off the crock pot.
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Add vinegar and stir. Lumps will begin to form.
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Pour off liquid and rinse the lumps of casein in cold water.
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Pour lumps into a small mixing bowl and add baking soda.
- Slowly add a little water and stir until the mixture becomes pasty.
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