4-H Demonstration Contest

​​Demonstration Contest

4 – 8^th Grade Demonstration 

Your demonstration should be 3 to 5 minutes in length and generally “show how” to do something related to a project area. 

The steps should be on half sheets of poster board for the audience to follow along. 

The contestant should be prepared to answer questions by the judges.

• 4th grade: March 8
• 5th grade: March 9
• 6th grade: February 20
• 7th grade: February 21
• 8th grade: February 22

Rules & Guidelines

Demo Score Card.pdf

• Demonstrator​
  • Appearance: Is he/she neat, clean, well-groomed; has good posture; no distracting jewelry; hair out of eyes; no chewing gum; or is he/she just the opposite of the answer to each of these questions? Scores may range fro 0 to 5 in this category.
  • Voice: Is it pleasing, clear and distinct with correct grammar? Scores may vary between 0 to 5 on this category.
  • Poise and enthusiasm: Does he/she project his/her voice so it is easily heard; look at the audience and judges; smile and appear at ease? Scores may range from 0 to 5 points for this category.
• Presentation
  • Introduction: Is it attention-getting, giving the purpose of the demonstration; brief and important; telling what is to be done; or is it just the opposite or merely repetition of the demonstrator’s name and club when he/she has already been introduced? The range of scores for this section is 0 to 10.
  • Main points clearly stated: Are all steps clearly seen or understood by the audience; easily distinguished points? Points may vary from 0 to 10 on this.
  • Summary: Is it interesting and short, but complete; key points re-emphasized; no new material introduced; purpose met? If gestures are used, are they natural? Scores for the summary may range from 0 to 10 points.
  • Demonstration given convincingly: Does it seem the 4-H’er has knowledge of the subject and does not read his/her information? Points in this area may vary between 0 and 5 points. 
  • Equipment: Is it well-selected and organized; work area clearly seen; suitable and effective equipment for the job; equipment handled with ease; arranged for efficient use; used as needed; without name brands or labels? Visuals: Are they neat, clear, well-illustrated; used to amplify, not duplicate methods shown; charts not too crowded; simple designs; only needed charts used; charts handled smoothly? Scores for this equipment and visuals category may range from 0 to 10. Note: Some demonstrations show and therefore use equipment to demonstrate; others tell or illustrate and use graphics. Both are equally acceptable. If the demonstration conveys the information, a demonstrator should not be penalized for using either graphics, equipment or both.
  • Work area: Is it left neat or as it was before the demonstration? From 0 to 5 points may be earned in this category.
• Subject Matter
  • Selection and organization: Is it presented in logical sequence with only one theme or idea presented; subject narrow enough to be covered adequately? Is topic related to the 4-H project? Scores may vary between 0 and 10 points.
  • Source of information: Is it accurate and up-to-date; selected from reliable information from USDA or UT Extension recommended practices followed; personal experience can be cited; source of information can be cited; suited to age, interest and experience of the demonstrator?  Scores in this category may range from 0 to 15 points.
  • Practical questions: Are they answered accurately; 4-H’er admits not knowing answer instead of guessing; subject adequately covered enough for no questions to be needed? Point scores may vary from 0 to 10 here.