Housing Senior Project Guide

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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 Housing Project

4-H’ers may explore housing and related equipment as products, environments, services, and processes. Through this project 4-H’ers may:

• develop an understanding of how housing can satisfy human physical, psychological, and economical needs
• discover types of housing available and cultivate skills in selecting housing to meet family needs at different stages of the life cycle
• gain an understanding of energy and water requirements of the home environment and simple conservation measures
• acquire knowledge of technological devices and their use within the household, including mechanical and electrical systems and home automation
• determine the importance of household waste management, water, and indoor air quality in the home environment
• develop skills in reading blueprints and evaluating house plans as related to family needs
• develop an understanding of housing policies at the federal, state, and local levels as they relate to housing markets
• explore construction techniques to address environmental and health issues
• develop an understanding of special design requirements as related to housing and equipment for the elderly, disabled, and other special needs
• explore career opportunities related to housing and the housing industry

Examples of Project Development Experiences

• Understand the programs implemented for people who are without homes or have disabilities
• Know how energy efficient houses are created and how to make homes more eco-friendly
• Shadow an architect, builder, or other professional to understand construction and maintenance
• Research housing policies, equipment, products, services, environments, and/or processes
• Contact your local Extension office to conduct a radon test, water test, etc. in your home

Project Sharing and Helping Examples

• Assist with local groups that provide housing for low income families, such as Habitat for Humanity
• Shadow a professional that is involved with eco-friendly homes or basic home construction, document the process, and share your experience with others
• Attend a rain barrel workshop and make a barrel for neighbors, community organizations, or schools
• Learn more about storm water and educate friends and family about how they can personally reduce their waste
• Help community members understand their homes’ energy intake and how to conserve by using efficient bulbs, turning off lights, reducing hot water consumption, using Energy Star appliances, etc.
• Volunteer with organizations that specifically work with keeping disabled people in their own homes
• Coordinate a neighborhood clean up to remove litter from yards and streets
• Mentor a younger 4-H’er in the Housing project
• Teach a class about efficient housing equipment and practices

Special Considerations

• Please use best safety practices when handling tools and equipment.
• Be sure to gain land owner permission prior to entering someone else’s property.
• Youth should practice internet safety when communicating with new people online or in-person. 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.
• Give plenty of notice for any interview or mentoring requests
• Contact your local County Extension Office to discuss how you can collaborate with and assist with current programming.

Recommended Resources

• Georgia4h.org/ProjectAchievement
• habitat.org
• earthcraft.org
• athensclarkecounty.com/4309/Rain-Barrels
• cwp.org
• energy.gov/public-services/homes
• athenslandtrust.org/affordable-housing
• atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=504
• georgiaoptions.org

At Competition

Housing 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: Natalie Bock and Keri Hobbs
Reviewed by: Jason Estep and Charlie Wurst