STEM Woodworking

In this category, 4-H'ers have the opportunity to create exhibits about varying levels of

woodworking. In addition, participants can also create informational exhibits about their

woodworking projects. Through involvement in STEM Woodworking 4-H'ers will be better

educated about the topic and better their woodworking skills. For more resources and materials

in this category refer to the resource section at the bottom of the page.

Rules

1. The name and county of each exhibitor should appear separately on the back of each

board, poster, or article and on the front cover of the notebooks so the owner of the

exhibit may be identified if the entry tag is separated from the exhibit.

2. Requirements: All articles exhibited must include a plan (with drawings or sketch or

blueprints) stating dimensions and other critical instructions a builder would need to

know how to build the project and 4-Her’s name and county. Plans may include narrative

instructions in addition to the dimension drawings and include any alternations to the

original plan. Part of the score depends on how well the project matches the plans. If the

plans are modified, the changes from the original need to be noted on the plans. All plans

used for making the article must be securely attached and protected by a clear plastic

cover.

3. 4-H’ers must be in Unit 3 or Unit 4 for the exhibit to be considered for State Fair. All

projects must have an appropriate finish.

4. If the project (i.e., picnic tables, wishing wells, swings, chairs, bridges, doghouses,

etc.) is designed to be used outside, it will be displayed outside.

5. All outside projects MUST have an entry tag and supporting information placed

in a protective bag to prevent damage from weather events such as rain and be

ATTACHED to projects with string, zip ties, etc.

Scoresheets, Forms, and Contest Study Materials

Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at

https://unl.box.com/s/leyyacbdu3ktky0i58id6mvgya1tvcc5.

Divisions

Measuring Up: Unit 1

Class

91161L – Measuring Up – Not Eligible for State Fair – Any project as introduced in Unit 1

project manual.

Making the Cut: Unit 2

Class

91162L – Making the Cut – Not Eligible for State Fair – Any project as introduced in Unit 2

project manual

Nailing it Together: Unit 3

Class

H911001 - Woodworking Article - (SF91) - Item should be made using either joints, hinges,

dowels, or a dado joining made using skills learned in the Nailing It Together manual. Item is

required to be appropriately finished. Examples include a bookcase, coffee table, or end table.

H911003 - Recycled Woodworking Display - (SF95) – Article made from recycled, reclaimed,

or composite wood. The article must be appropriately finished and/or sealed and utilize one or

more woodworking techniques from page 2 of the Unit 3 manual. The exhibit must include the

woodworking plan and a minimum one-page report of how the engineering design process was

used to develop the woodworking plan. Engineering Design Process 1. State the problem (Why

did you need this item?) 2. Generate possible solutions (How have others solved the problem?

What other alternatives or designs were considered?) _ 3. Select a solution (How does your

solution compare on the basis of cost, availability, and functionality?) 4. Build the item (What

was your woodworking plan, and what processes did you use to build your item?) 5. Reason for

article finish (What type of finish, how did you finish or why you choose this finish?) 6. Evaluate

(How does your item solve the original need?) 7. Present results (How would you do this better

next time?)

H911004 - Composite Wood Project - (SF96) - 60% of the project must be wood and 40% is

made from other materials such as metal, rubber, resin, etc. All plans and plan alternations must

be attached to the article. Protect plans with a cover. If the project is designed to be outside, it is

required to have an appropriate outdoor finish because the project may be displayed outside.

H911005 - Outdoor Wood Project made with Treated Wood - (SF97) - Treated wood projects

DO NOT have to have a finished coating. All plans and plan alternations must be attached to the

article. Protect plans with a cover. If the project is designed to be outside. Examples include

picnic tables, planters, outdoor furniture, etc.

H911006 – Wood Projects Created on a Turning Lathe – (SF ) – Article is the object created

from spinning wood on a turning lathe. Article must be appropriately finished and/or sealed.

Exhibit must include plans detailing design and process of completion, any changes made to the

design, details of finishing techniques, and other relevant information about the article. Must

Include a description of tools used.

Finishing Up: Unit 4

Class

H911007 - Woodworking Article - (SF91) Item made using skills learned in the Finishing It Up

Project. Examples include dovetailing, making a pen using a lathe, overlays, using a router, etc.

Item is required to be appropriately finished.

H911008 - Recycled Woodworking Display - (SF91) Article made from recycled, reclaimed, or

composite wood. The article must be appropriately finished and/or sealed and utilize one or more

woodworking techniques from page 2 of the Unit 4 manual. The exhibit must include the

woodworking plan and a minimum one-page report of how the design and engineering process

was used to develop the woodworking plan. 1. State the problem (Why did you need this item?)

2. Generate possible solutions (How have others solved the problem? What other alternatives or

designs were considered?) 3. Select a solution (How does your solution compare on the basis of

cost, availability, and functionality?) 4. Reason for article finish (What type of finish, how did

you finish or why you choose this finish?) 5. Build the item (What was your woodworking plan,

and what processes did you use to build your item?) 6. Evaluate (How does your item solve the

original need?) 7. Present results (How would you do this better next time?)

Resources

STEM: Woodworking

Develop skills such as measuring, squaring and cutting a board, driving nails, and using clamps

and screws; Build a picture frame, a letter holder, a box, or an airplane; Measure , cut, sand, drill,

and use advanced hand and power tools; Apply paint and use bolts and staples; Build a sawhorse,

birdhouse, tool box, or a stool; Practice measuring angles, cutting dado and rabbet joints; Use a

circular saw, a table saw, and a radial arm saw; Sand and stain wood

URL: https://4hcurriculum.unl.edu/index.php/main/program_project/144