Having Fun at Project Meetings! Presented by: Sarah Torbert 4-H Volunteer Development Specialist

Start by… Holding Project Meetings Learning Activities that look at the project area. Build on skills learned or skills taught. Suggested – at least 6 hours of learning at 6 different times. Offer Countywide or at multiple clubs

What is the environment you want to create? Setting the stage What is the environment you want to create?

What are we trying to do? The Youth Experience 1. The opportunity to set goals, keep records, and reflect on their learning in a project area. 2. A caring adult to provide the support needed to develop like skills through project work. 3. Opportunities for hands-on learning experiences. 4. A place to publicly display their learning in one or more project areas. 5. Opportunities to use the skills learned in their club and project work at a county, regional, state, national, and international level.

Values Provide opportunities for experiential learning and life skill development through hands-on project work in members’ areas of interest. Help young people see themselves as unique, resilient, life- long learners who actively participate in their own future, setting personal goals and practicing self- determination.

Values Create through projects, activities, and club work a sense of Belonging BY providing an inclusive environment that includes social interaction between youth with diverse backgrounds By contributing to team efforts By developing positive relationships with a caring adults Independence By supporting self-directed decision making process that relates to real-life experiences By fostering leadership opportunities Generosity Through involvement in community service activities Through opportunities to share experiences with younger youth members Mastery Through development of specific knowledge and skills with help and guidance from project leaders Through opportunities to learn how to run effective meetings Through understanding of finances gained through access to funds raised by the club.

Getting Started Get to Know each other Ice Breaker Games – Try to make them project related Two Truths and lie Passport on your head Toilet paper / m&m / card game Other?

Understand why they are there… Set goals Post it notes Why did you take this project What do you hope to learn What I like most about

https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000178_Rep196.pdf

Do activities Skill-a-thon stations Demonstrations Project judging Quiz bowl Games or competitions Skill practice Community service Field trips Guest speaker

Skill a thon A 4-H skillathon is an excellent way to involve 4-H members in challenging, fun, learn by-doing activities. This educational method develops problem solving, communication, and technology skills. Skillathons are a series of mini-learning stations with a facilitator at each station. Skillathon activities can be used as a fun introduction to a topic, an initial assessment of skills, or as an evaluation of skills learned. The 4-H members can participate as individuals or as teams.

Stations include learn by doing activities. Members visit a series of learning stations. A facilitator oversees each station. Participants rotate to each station to perform the given task. Participants test their knowledge and abilities before receiving help. If they falter, the members receive suggestions from facilitators.

Ideas for skill a thon stations Identifying parts of something –animals, rockets, camera Building something – rocket, paper airplane, robot, circuit Using a tool correctly - scissors, cake decorating tip, giving shots Matching items – feeds, types of fabric, equipment used, animal breeds Measuring

demonstrations Used to show and tell someone how to do something Parts of a demonstration Introduce what you are doing Show a finished product Body Give the steps you take to complete something Conclusion Review what was covered

Who demonstrates Members can share their knowledge at project meetings Older members / teen leaders can be given a homework assignment to demonstrate at meeting for new and younger members Leader can demonstrate Guest speaker can demonstrate

Judging classes Successful judging depends on Judging is making a decision and telling why you made it. Judging also teaches members to appreciate standards, to observe closely and to develop their reasoning ability. Successful judging depends on knowledge of the product, understanding the standards or criteria for the product, and ability to compare products to the standards (giving reasons.)

Getting started… Early in the project, you will probably discuss the standards for the product you are making. What is the most important thing to look for in the product? For cookies, it would be taste, followed by texture and shape. For photographs, composition, lighting, technical quality and display are important. In 4-H, judging contests are based on classes of four products. Products are designated by letters: A, B, C and D; or numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4. Members are asked to compare the item to the standard and to explain orally the reasons for their selections.

Quiz bowl Are somewhat competitive Can help teach any subject area Develop great life skills like critical thinking, decision making, communication, and more Easy to set up

Getting started Develop a bank of questions based on what you want to learn Have members create questions for each other based on their knowledge and interests Use buzzers or something to make it fun Eggspert buzzers – $45-$90

Other project meeting fun Games or competitions Skill practice Community service Field trips Guest speaker More ideas?

Curriculum

Project Curriculum http://www.uwyo.edu/4-h/projects/

Project learning sheets

The internet Be careful

Be careful Use land grant universities who provide research based information when gathering material to teach Use recognized breed associations or other reputable sources Use pintrest and esty to gain ideas for static exhibits

Questions? storbert@uwyo.edu