- Public Speaking Contest (4th-12th grade) – January/February
Public speaking is a great skill to pick up in 4-H and one that will help youth as they continue to college and career. 4th-12th grade students can participate in the annual 4-H Public Speaking contest in the spring. Students compete against other students in the same grade level. Guidelines for the speeches include:
1) Must have an introduction, body, and conclusion 2) Props or posters are not allowed 3) Participants can use index cards and should have good eye contact, speak loudly, have good posture, and not go over the time limit 4) The speech can be on any topic; junior high students should mention 4-H in their speech.
Time limits by grade level:
* 4th grade speech should last 2-3 minutes
* 5th grade speech should last up to 5 minutes
* 6th to 8th grade speech should last up to 7 minutes & mention something about 4-H.
* 9th to 12th grade speech should last up to 7 minutes & mention something about 4-H. Senior high participants will also be asked to give an extemporaneous speech in addition to their prepared speech.
Public-Speaking-Contest-Sheet Download
First place winners in club contests will be invited to compete in the Meigs County public speaking contest. First place winners at the county contest in the 4th-8th grades will be invited to the Multi-County 4-H Public Speaking Contest. First place winners at the county contest in 9th-12th grades will be invited to the Regional 4-H Senior High Public Speaking Contest.
Being that we are only in-school for grades 4th-8th, if your are a homeschool student or a 9th-12th grade student interested in Public Speaking, please email Ms. Kyra at kyrepett@tennessee.edu to learn more about how you may get involved.
Please call the Extension office at (423)-334-5781 or email Ms. Kyra at kyrepett@tennessee.edu with any questions about the competition.
- Demonstrations/Interactive Exhibits (4th-8th grade) – February/March
If you liked show and tell, you will enjoy participating in the 4-H demonstrations and interactive exhibits contests. Demonstrations (4th-5th grade) and Interactive Exhibits (6th-8th grade) are a fun, educational hands-on approach to learning and teaching for students.
Fourth and Fifth grade participants are asked to conduct an educational, hands-on, show and tell, “how to” demonstration that lasts up to 3 minutes. Participants use pictures, posters, or displays to conduct a “how to” presentation for the class, group, or judge illustrating a skill, hobby, or other interest related to a 4-H project (see information on 4-H project areas at the Tennessee 4-H website and/or below). The demonstration may be on anything that is educational; for example, how to do a favorite activity, past time, or hobby. No live animals may be used in demonstrations. As a general rule of thumb, if it is not allowed at school, it is not allowed in demonstrations/interactive exhibits. If your topic may include a prop that would not be allowed, pictures serve as a great alternative. Download a sheet on how to prepare your demonstration.
- Project Selection Guide (Color) and (B&W)
- Project Selection Guide (2 page B&W)
- Project Selection Guide (in Spanish) (Color) and (Black and white)
Guidelines for the 4-H Demonstration include: 1) The speech along with the demonstration should last up to 3 minutes at the club meeting (up to 5 minutes at a county or multi-county contest) 2) Participants can use index cards, but should also use visual aids such as posters, pictures, and hands-on supplies to actually demonstrate how to do something 3) Have good eye contact, speak loudly, have good posture, and don’t go over the time limit 4) Write an introduction, body, and conclusion for your presentation.
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth graders construct a tri-fold display board related to their 4-H project. The contest is conducted similar to a science fair, in which judges walk around the room, view the boards, and ask the student about their project. Students present information using the board. The board may include photos. Materials and other items that can be displayed on the table in front of the board. Time limit is up to 5 minutes.
Club contests are generally held in March. The Meigs County Contest is generally held in late March/early April, and the Multi-County Contest is held in late April.
Please call the Extension office at (423)-334-5781 or email Ms. Kyra at kyrepett@tennessee.edu with any questions about the competition.
- 4-H Art Poster Contest (4th-12th grade) – September/October
Display your artistic talents! Create a poster about 4-H on posterboard and turn it in during your club meeting (4th-8th) or to the Extension Office by October 31st (Homeschool and/or 9th-12th grade) to compete in this fun annual contest. For in-school clubs, we will announce class winners at the following club meeting. We will also select county winners from each grade and those will be submitted to the Eastern Region for judging on the state level.
RULES: (Full rules at https://4h.tennessee.edu/state-4-h-congress-award-programs/4-h-poster-art-contest/) a. Posters may be made by any 4-H club member in grades 4th-12th. b. Posters may be horizontal only. c. Posters on posterboard must be 14 x 22 inches. d. Name, address, county, email address, grade and age should be clearly written on the back of each poster. e. 4-H (or some 4-H program or project) should be the topic for the poster. f. Well known cartoon figures cannot be used because they are copyrighted (Peanuts, Charlie Brown, etc.) g. 3-D objects or materials which extend 1/8 inch or more above the surface of the poster may not be used. h. The 4-H emblem (a 4-leafed clover containing the letter “H” on each leaf) should be used on the poster; do not place text or other image on top of it. No photo, drawing, symbol, word or other figure or object may be placed on or obscure the 4-H emblem.
Please call the Extension office at (423)-334-5781 or email Ms. Kyra at kyrepett@tennessee.edu with any questions about the competition.