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. You can enroll in the self-determined project category that is the best match for what you have in mind:

• 365.00 General (Self-Determined Day)
• 365.01 Companion Animal (Companion Animal Day)
• 365.02 Creative Arts (Creative Arts Day)
• 365.03 Family Life (Family Life Day)
• 365.04 Natural Resources (Natural Resources Day II)
• 365.05 Quilt (Quilt Day)
• 365.06 Workforce Prep (Workforce Prep Day)

The above topic areas correspond to self-determined fair classes throughout the state fair. 

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 create your own project in the general topic category (365.00) or in one of the other specific topic areas listed.

365.00 General (Self-Determined Day)

• 3D Printing
• Amateur Radio
• American Sign Language
• Clowning
• Computer Science (will be revised in 2023)
• Digital Media*
• Disability Advocacy and Awareness (Here are the Person First Survey, the Community Survey Checklist, and the Greenhouse Activity.)
• Discovering Genetics
• Local Foods—Does It Matter What You Eat?
• Model Railroading
• Music
• 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.)
• 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 artificial plants, figurines, 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
• Crop Production
• Field to Faucet: What Determines Water Quality
• Flower Gardening
• Get Started with Composting
• Going Green: Learning to Lead a Sustainable Life
• 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 (Here's the rating scale referred to in one of the activities on page 2.)

* Coming in 2023!

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.