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.
Idea Starters
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.
These are just ideas, written as open invitations to explore new or innovative topics YOU choose. You can always customize an idea starter or create your own project.
- 3D Printing
- Amateur Radio
- American Sign Language
- Astronomy
- Babysitting
- Bats
- Camp Counseling (Here's the rating scale referred to in one of the activities on page 2.)
- Chinchillas
- Climate Change
- Clowning
- Computer Science
- Crop Production
- Digital Media
- Disability Advocacy and Awareness (Here are the Person First Survey, the Community Survey Checklist, and the Greenhouse Activity.)
- Discovering Genetics
- Ferrets
- Field to Faucet: What Determines Water Quality
- Flower Gardening
- Get Started with Composting
- Going Green: Learning to Lead a Sustainable Life
- Hedgehogs
- Local Foods—Does It Matter What You Eat?
- Miniature Gardens
- Model Railroading
- Music
- Native American Artifacts: Arrowheads
- Paddle Water Sports
- Paper Craft
- PhysBot—Your 4-H Fitness Tracker (PhysBot kits are no longer available for purchase on the Extension Publishing store. Select this idea starter only if you already have one or know you can obtain one through your county office.)
- Pigeons
- Reptiles and Amphibians
- Shale Gas Extraction
- Skateboarding
- String Art
- The Work World Is Calling . . . Are You Ready?
- Viruses, Bacteria, and Fungi, Oh My!
- Ways of Knowing Water
- Weather
To suggest a topic or even write your own, please contact Rhonda Williams. More information about writing your own is included in Writing an Idea Starter.