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.
Ohio State Fair: Several subject matter days at the state fair include a self-determined class. For state fair information about the idea starters lised below, refer to this tip sheet.
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
- Aquaponics: Can I Produce My Own Food?*
- Astronomy
- Babysitting
- Bats
- Camp Counseling (Here's the rating scale referred to in one of the activities on page 2.)
- Chinchillas
- Climate Change (revised for 2025)
- Clowning
- Computer Science
- Crop Production
- Digital Citizenship*Â
- 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
- Hedgehogs
- Miniature Gardens
- Model Railroading
- Music
- Native American Artifacts: Arrowheads
- Paddle Water Sports
- Paper Craft
- Pigeons
- Reptiles and Amphibians
- Shale Gas Extraction
- Skateboarding
- String Art
- Surviving in the Great Outdoors*Â
- Viruses, Bacteria, and Fungi, Oh My!
- Weather
* New in 2025!
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.