Self-Determined Projects and Idea Starters

Self-Determined Projects

If you're a 4-H member with a great project idea of your own or someone who is ready to go beyond a current project book, consider doing a self-determined project. Use the Self-Determined Project Guide to describe your project, set goals, and record your activities.

Prefer to type? Download and save this Self-Determined Project Guide fillable form.

Self-Determined projects may be repeated if new areas of interest, learning experiences, and leadership/citizenship activities are selected.

Not sure what topic to explore? You can get some great ideas by reviewing the idea starters below. Don't forget, every idea starter must be used with the Self-Determined Project Guide.

Idea Starters

An idea starter might be just the thing to get your self-determined project started. These are just ideas, written as open invitations to explore new or innovative topics YOU choose. Create your own project in the general topic category (365.00) or in one of the other specific topic areas listed.

These topics areas correspond to self-determined fair classes throughout the state fair. 

365.00 General (Self-Determined Day)

• Amateur Radio*
• American Sign Language
• Clowning
• Computers
• Discovering Genetics
• Local Foods—Does It Matter What You Eat?
• Model Railroading
• Music
• Skateboarding
• Viruses, Bacteria, and Fungi, Oh My!

365.01 Companion Animal (Companion Animal Day)

• Chinchillas
• Ferrets
• Hedgehogs
• Pigeons
• Reptiles and Amphibians

365.02 Creative Arts (Creative Arts Day)

• Miniature Gardens (made primarily with fairies, fake plants, etc.)
• Paper Craft
• String Art

365.03 Family Life (Family Life Day)

• Babysitting

365.04 Natural Resources (Natural Resources Day II)

• Astronomy
• Bats
• Climate Change
• Get Started with Composting*
• Crop Production
• Field to Faucet: What Determines Water Quality
• Flower Gardening
• Miniature Gardens (made primarily with live plants)
• Native American Artifacts: Arrowheads
• Paddle Water Sports*
• Shale Gas Extraction
• Ways of Knowing Water
• Weather

365.05 Quilt (Quilt Day)

No quilt idea starter is offered at this time. Instead, members who go beyond the current project offerings and who go to fair, enter their quilts here. 

365.06 Workforce Prep (Workforce Prep Day)

• Camp Counseling (Rating Scale)
• The World of Work Is Calling . . . Are You Ready?

* These idea starters are new and will be available in January 2021.

To suggest a topic or even write your own, please contact Jane Wright. More information about writing your own is included in Writing an Idea Starter.