Interview Judging for 4-H Members at County Fairs
4-H is a program that aims to empower the youth by helping them develop skills through projects in agriculture, science, and community service. 4-H has over 6 million members and operates in over 80 countries.
One of the key components of 4-H is county fairs where members showcase their projects and participate in competitions. At the county fairs, there are various activities including livestock exhibitions, demonstrations, and competitions. One of the popular activities at the fair is Interview Judging.
Interview Judging is an opportunity for 4-H members to interact with judges and discuss their static exhibits. Static exhibits are projects that do not involve live animals or plants, and include activities such as sewing, baking, or photography. During interview judging, 4-H’ers are asked to describe their projects and share their experiences, how they created their project, what they learned, and any challenges they encountered. They can also discuss the topic of the project and their motivation for choosing this subject. Judges evaluate each project and provide feedback to the participant.
Interview judging is an essential activity at county fairs because it helps participants to develop communication skills and self-confidence. It also serves as a learning opportunity for these young individuals because judges usually provide suggestions and advice on how to improve their projects. Through this activity, participants learn to accept feedback and critique from others and strive to better their projects.
Interview Judging at Lancaster County Super Fair
Lancaster County Super Fair is a significant event for 4-H members in Nebraska. It is an annual event that lasts for nine days, and it features livestock exhibitions, carnival rides, concerts, and other activities. One of the events that take place at the fair is the 4-H/FFA Science, Engineering & Technology exhibits.
This exhibit area includes various activities, such as Aerospace, Computer, Geospatial (GPS), Electricity, Robotics, Power of Wind, Small Engines, Model Vehicle, Woodworking, Welding, Safety, and Bicycle projects. Participants use this opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge in various fields by developing different projects.
The projects are evaluated by judges, who are experts in their respective fields. The judges evaluate the projects based on a set of criteria such as creativity, complexity, presentation, and adherence to the theme of the project.
During the interview judging, participants get an opportunity to interact with judges, where they discuss their projects and answer questions asked by judges. This activity helps participants to enhance their public speaking skills and learn from the feedback provided by the judges.
Among the skills learned through interview judging, 4-H participants get the chance to develop communication skills, which are essential not only in 4-H but also in their daily lives. They learn how to express their ideas clearly and articulate their thoughts in a concise manner. Additionally, they learn the art of active listening as they wait for the judges’ feedback.
Interview judging also helps to enhance critical thinking skills among the 4-H participants. Judges ask questions that challenge the participants to think critically about their projects and their application to real-world scenarios. This helps the participants to develop a deeper understanding of their projects and their significance beyond the competition.
Conclusion
4-H county fairs provide a platform for young individuals to showcase their skills and knowledge in various areas. Interview judging is one of the significant activities that 4-H members participate in during these fairs. It presents a learning opportunity for the young individuals to enhance their communication and critical thinking skills while receiving feedback from experts in their fields. Participation in 4-H activities such as this prepares the youth to become responsible, contributing members of society.
Posted by Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County on 2013-08-07 15:57:27