The National 4-H Engineering, Science and Leadership Event is designed to provide, strengthen, and promote educational opportunities related to 4-H engineering and science projects and to recognize those 4-Hers who excel in these programs. It is a competitive event in which knowledge, skill, and safety are stressed in each of the project areas.

The event is sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Services of the participating states and hosted by the Indiana Cooperative Extension Service and donors in the various project areas. Awards are presented to the top place participants in each of the competitive contests.

The Management Committee, appointed by the Deputy Administrator, 4-H, Extension Service, USDA, is responsible for the overall management and operation of the event.

Eligibility

1. Each state may enter two contestants per contest.

2. Contestants must be enrolled in the appropriate 4-H project as follows:

3. Contestants must have reached their 14th but not 19th birthday as of January 1 of the current year.
4. Contestants must not have competed in the same national 4-H contest previously.
5. Contestants must have a signed entry-release form and an Engineering Event Acceptance Form on file with the contest officials.
6. Contestants must be certified as the official state entry by the State Extension Director or by a person designated by the Director.

Registration

Registrations are due September 15. Contestants will be registered on forms provided by the Management Committee. Extension Specialists, Extension Agents, 4-H volunteers, and parents are encouraged to accompany delegates. Adults shall accompany each state delegation with one adult being designated responsible for the entire delegation. A registration fee to cover costs of the event will be paid by all participants both youth and adults.

Scoring

The points-off system will be used with penalty points given for errors. The winner in each contest will have the lowest total score. Some events within a contest may be timed, as shown by the particular score sheets. Teams will be selected for the Engineering Bowl on the basis of the best scores on the written examinations. Ties in the ranked scores of contestants will be broken in favor of the contestant with the best written examination score. If still tied, scores for parts identification will be compared. Then, if necessary, scores on the skill or presentation event will be compared.

Judges

Designated judges will preside over each of the contests and their decisions will be final. Contestants must abide by the rules and requirements.

All participating states and donors are encouraged to provide qualified personnel to serve as judges and officials for one or more of the eight contests which will be conducted concurrently. To provide continuity, the same team of judges will be expected to judge all contestants in a particular competitive event.

Only participating contestants, judges, and officials are permitted in contest areas during competition.

Disabilities

"Readers" will be provided for individuals with reading difficulties. In the case of the written exam, the "reader" will read the exam and the multiple-choice answers. The participant will mark the answer sheet appropriately. The Parts Identification will be facilitated by the participant orally indicating what the part is. The "reader" will indicate the location of that name on the answer sheet. The participant will then mark the sheet appropriately.

Physical disabilities will be accommodated to the extent that there is no danger to the participant, judges, observers, or the equipment as determined by the contest officials.

Notification must be given with the official entries so that plans can be made for proper assistance as may be necessary.

References
 
Questions for the Engineering Bowl and written examinations will be based on information in nationally available 4-H publications related to each 4-H project and the following references.
 

All John Deere publications may be obtained from:

John Deere Publishing
Dept. 373, 5440 Corporate Park Drive, Davenport, IA 52807
www.deere.com/aboutus/pub/jdpub/index.htm

Equipment Provided

If you need any audio-visual equipment, please notify Roger Tormoehlen at least one week prior to the event. Contact Roger by telephone: 765-494-8423 or e-mail: torm@purdue.edu.

• Awards: Awards will be presented to the top place participants in each of the competitive contests. Each participant will be presented an Award of Merit" ribbon and a "Certificate of Recognition."