CONTEST INFORMATION
Schedule. (times are subject to change)
1:30 PM | Contestant Check-in Begins |
2:00 | Contestants in Place/Orientation |
Judging Begins Following Orientation |
Registration. Each participating member is required to register on 4-H Connect and pay the district $10.00 per contest registration fee. Registration will begin on March 12 and close at midnight April 12, 2019.
Participation. Participants must be active 4-H members enrolled in a Texas 4-H and Youth Development county program in District IV and be eligible to compete according to UIL rules. The top 3 senior entries in each category will qualify for state.
Age. Age divisions are determined by a participant’s grade as of September 1 of the current 4-H year. Age divisions for this contest are:
Junior | grades 3, 4, 5 |
Intermediate | grades 6, 7, 8 |
Senior | grades 9, 10, 11, 12 |
Entries per county. Each county may enter an unlimited number of teams/individuals per age division listed above.
NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR 2018
Equipment. There are new limitations or recommendations for juniors and intermediates as it relates to equipment and visual aids. Outlined below are the age-division specific rules for educational presentations:
Juniors | Intermediates | Seniors | ||
No computer aided/projected presentation equipment allowed. Posters and an easel is a suitable and recommended alternative. Props and other visual aids are allowed. | Computer aided presentation equipment is allowed, but posters are highly recommended and encouraged. Props and other visual aids are allowed. | Any type of presentation equipment, props, and visual aids are allowed (if also allowed by state rules). |
Participants are required to bring 100% of their own equipment (props, posters, easels, personal computer, visual aids, extension cords, etc.), with the exception of a screen and table, which will be available in each presentation room. Contest officials will not have any equipment such as computers, projectors, or video adapters available. It is the contestant’s sole responsibility to secure and bring all necessary equipment, and to know how to operate and troubleshoot it.
Contest categories/divisions. Contestants will be assigned rooms (as best as possible) by age divisions and categories. See category descriptions below.
Awards. 1st place trophy and 2nd through 5th place ribbons will be awarded.
Participants with disabilities. If you need any type of accommodation to participate in this program or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the district office at least 2 weeks prior to the program or note such needs when registering on 4-H Connect.
Contest Rules. See the rules posted below.
Live Animals. Live animals will NOT be allowed in any contest at district.
Resource Link. http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/project_speaking
EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION RULES
Individual or Team of 2 (NEW!)
TOPIC SUBJECT: Subjects in the Educational Presentations should address emerging or current issues in each of the contest areas. Some contests provide a suggested list of topics that the Educational Presentation talk can cover along with a resource list. Senior contestants are encouraged to research these emerging and/or current areas to develop current and new presentations.
ACCURACY OF INFORMATION/RESOURCES: With the computer and internet being used heavily in Educational Presentations, 4-H members must know the difference between research and non-research based information.
Contestants are required to use information that is factual and can be supported through adequate documentation. Examples of such websites are federal, state, and local governments, independent research sites, and Texas AgriLife Extension Service websites. Internet information that is questionable includes personal documentation sites, chat rooms, message boards, etc.
4-H members should prepare a list of references (i.e. bibliography, works cited) for their presentation. Appropriate credit should be given for references used.
SUBJECT MATTER: The skills and knowledge used in any 4-H contest should be the result of experiences in a project in which the member has participated. A presentation should relate to the contest entered, should contain current information, and should not be better suited for another contest. It should also be appropriate for the member’s age and experience.
TIME LIMITS: A time limit of 12 minutes will be allowed for each Educational Presentation. An additional nine (9) minutes will be provided for on-stage arrangements and cleanup in connection with the presentation. A penalty of two points per minute or partial minute overtime will be deducted from the final score.
VISUALS: The use of charts, photographs, computer graphics/programs, and other visual materials are permitted (see equipment rule above for age division limitations). Visuals should contribute to the presentation. Each presentation is an example of the participant’s ability to communicate an idea.
JUDGES’ QUESTIONS: Judges and/or Superintendents may ask contestants’ questions at the end of their presentation. This will be done on the judge’s time. Only official judges and superintendents may ask questions of the contestants.
SCORECARDS: 4-H Educational Presentation Score Sheet, 4-H 3-5.041 (Revised Aug. 2005) will be used by contest judges in scoring Educational Presentations regardless of presentation style (method demonstration, illustrated talk, or speech.)
Separate scorecards are used in Public Speaking and Share-the-Fun. All score sheets are available on the Texas 4-H and Youth Development publication website.
JUDGES GIFTS/HANDOUTS: Gifts (of any kind) may not be presented to the judges in any contest. Handouts that are complimentary to the presentation and educational in purpose may be made available to the entire audience.
Category Descriptions (NEW/REVISED CATEGORIES FOR 2019)
AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY & FARM SAFETY | Any current or future subject that addresses topics such as: • Biotechnology • Biogenetics • Bioengineering • Mechanical engineering • Farm safety Use of technology, research, laser, satellites or advancements made in agricultural practices through the use of technology, computer systems, or cutting-edge ideas. |
ANIMAL SCIENCE | Any current or future subject that addresses any aspects of the dairy, poultry, sheep, goat, swine, or specialty animal industries such as embryo transfer and invitrofertilization. Beef related presentations should fall under the beef category. |
BEEF | Any current or future subject that addresses topics related to the beef industrty such as: • Reproductive technologies • Nutritional management • Health • Breeding and genetic considerations • Behavior • Beef carcasses and end-products • Production costs • General management aspects • Cattle marketing Presentations may target cow-calf, stocker, or feedlot industry sectors. |
HEALTH & WELLNESS | Presentations should focus on healthy lifestyles, prevention and wellness, not illness/treatment. It is suggested that project experiences in this area include topics aimed at youth health, wellness and prevention. Suggested presentation topics: • Increasing physical activity • Tobacco prevention • Alcohol prevention • Sun safety • Preventing the spread of the cold and flu • Sleep • Reducing stress |
HORSE | Presentation is to cover the theory and/or practical skills learned in the 4-H horse project and should be appropriate for presentation at a 4-H club meeting. After hearing the presentation, the audience should be able to put information into practice to improve their production, management, training, or horse use knowledge and/or skills. |
OPEN AG & NATURAL RESOURCES | Youth will relate information to knowledge or skills learned in the field of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Before entering this category, make sure the presentation does not fit any other related educational presentation category. Topics may include: • Agronomy/crop production • Farm and ranch economics • Horticulture • Meat science • Shooting sports related fields • Other ANR field of study |
OPEN FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH | Youth will relate information to knowledge or skills learned in the field of Family and Consumer Sciences. Before entering this category, make sure the presentation does not fit any other related educational presentation category. Topics may include: • Consumer life skills • Finacial management • Fashion • Clothing & Textiles • Interior Design • Food and nutrition • Housing and home environment • Other FCS field of study *Health related topics, which could include such things as increasing physical activity, tobacco and alcohol prevention, sun safety, preventing spread of colds and flu, sleep, and reducing stress, should compete under health & wellness educational presentation. |
OPEN | Youth will relate to skills learned in a project in which the 4-H member has been involved. Make sure your presentation is not better suited for another category. |
PROMOTE 4-H | The purpose of this contest is to: • Encourage 4-H members to develop promotion and marketing skills as they market and interpret 4-H through various types of media and presentations. • Increase the promotion of 4-H to non-4-H audiences in Texas. • Increase the number of people who join and support the 4-H program. The 4-H promotion should convey a contemporary image of 4-H in a changing society. Promotional methods might include: radio, television, illustrated talks, method demonstrations, newspaper, posters, projected images, exhibits, photographs, slide/tape presentations, puppets, PSA’s, speeches, drama, skits, videos, computer programs, etc. Contestants identify a non4-H audience and demonstrate a promotional method which communicates the ideas or ideals of the 4-H program. Before entering this category make sure your presentation does not fit any other related educational presentation category. |
SAFETY & INJURY PREVENTION | Topics may include accident prevention when operating motor vehicles, boats, home, yard machinery. Also included are safety topics on handling chemicals, animals and prevention of accidents relative to falls, fire, electricity, hunting and natural disasters. Suggested presentation topics: • Drinking and driving • Distracted driving • Personal safety • ATV safety • Natural disasters (flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, drought, etc.) • Safety as it relates to agriculture would fall under the Agricultural Technology & Farm Safety category |
PUBLIC SPEAKING RULES
Public Speaking
Entry of 1 4-H member (no teams)
Individuals will present a 5-to-7 minute talk suitable as a platform speech or radio broadcast. The presentation should serve to persuade others regarding a particular issue or concern. Props and visual aids are not permitted and recordings of any type may not be used. Contestants should be prepared to answer questions concerning the subject matter of their presentation. Suggested presentation topics: