Engineering and Mechanics Senior Project Guide

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Overview

Georgia 4-H Project Achievement empowers young people with skills
for a lifetime. Through a competitive process, students explore their
interests, unleash their creativity, share their work, and celebrate their
achievements! This guide provides 9th—12th graders with examples
for getting started with their project exploration.

Overview of Project Achievement Process

1) Choose project
2) Develop skills in leadership and service
3) Prepare portfolio for work completed from January 1 – December 31
4) Prepare presentation
5) Practice
6) Compete
7) Reflect

Description of Engineering and Mechanics Project

4-H’ers may explore the application of scientific, economic, and practical
knowledge for designing, building, and maintaining structures, machines and
systems. Through this project 4-H’ers may:

•Learn about the basic principles and theories of engineering, including chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering
•Study engine systems and the conversion of power and energy involved
•Explore creative applications of design principles in the development of
structures, machines, apparatuses, manufacturing processes, or works
•Promote the knowledge of safe practices and procedures to protect
against personal injury and property damage in engineering applications
•Acquire knowledge of the efficient utilization of energy through the
production of heat, light, power, and communication
•Explore the economics of the efficient purchase and operation of
powered equipment, including the ability to keep/interpret a record of operational and ownership costs
•Learn about the effects of energy on humankind and the environment
•Explore careers associated with engineering and mechanics

Examples of Project Development Experiences

•Tour an engineering college, technical school, and/or maker’s lab
•Enroll in a mechanics or STEM class in school
•Identify a solution to a need, create a plan, and test it
•Interview or shadow an engineer or mechanic
•Research companies that employ engineers and find out about their job requirements
•Consider participating in a robotics team or 4-H Mission Make-It day
•Join the Georgia 4-H Communications and Technology Team
•Solve a problem by designing files and using a 3-D printer
•Participate with 4-H in National Youth Science Day

Project Sharing and Helping Examples

•Serve as a teen lead at the Georgia 4-H Mission Make-It event
•Mentor a younger 4-H’er in the Engineering and Mechanics project
•Create an engineering and/or mechanics project club
•Coordinate a group of youth to visit a robotics competition
•Exhibit an Engineering and Mechanics-related mini-booth at a fair or event
•Schedule a tour of a local industry, technical school, and/or college to expose younger 4-H’ers to machinery and careers
•Present a booth at a school’s STEM night
•Conduct a STEM activity at 4-H club meetings or summer programs
•Start a junior robotics team in your county
•Create a Leadership in Action project related to STEM
•Serve as a teen leader for National Youth Science Day
•Construct a simple machine to assist someone with an everyday task or problem
•Present your inventions to 4-H Club members, school classes, and/or civic clubs and discuss mechanical and design principles

Special Considerations

Youth should practice internet safety when communicating with new people online. A best practice is to take a friend or parent to shadow your interview or copy your parent/guardian on online communications with adult mentors.

•Remember to learn and abide by federal, state, and local laws and codes regarding powered equipment operation.
•When teaching safety, remember to reference official guides in creating presentations and exhibits.
•Please use best safety practices when handling tools and equipment

Recommended Resources

Project Achievement – Georgia 4-H

Engineering and Science Inquiry Resources | Education.com

Science Fair Project Ideas, Answers, & Tools

1000+ Science Fair Projects with Videos for All Grades

Home – College of Engineering

Homepage – National 4-H Council

At Competition

Engineering and Mechanics 4-H projects may use posters, artifacts, biofacts, and/or technology to support their presentation. The time limit for these presentations is 12 minutes. Computers, projectors, screens, and other technological devices may be used.

Prepared by: Keri Hobbs, Kelby Hobbs (NRCS), and Cheryl Varnadoe

Reviewed by Jason Estep, Melanie Biersmith, and Heather Shultz