4-H Project Demonstrations
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026 @ 6pm
Pre-Registration Deadline: April 2, 2026
Location: Agricenter
Check-In: 5:30pm
Youth in grades 4th -12th will deliver a timed, prepared speech to a panel of judges. All 1st place winners will be eligible to advance to the Western Regional Competition (Grades 9 – 12) or the Southwest Area Sub-Regional Competition (Grades 4 – 8)
Guidelines
- Fourth and Fifth grade members MUST do individual demonstrations (no teams).
- No live animals or babies are allowed in the demonstration. No lava lamps, volcanoes, “gak” or “goop”, simple sandwiches, slice and bake cookies, or paper-folding (origami) crafts for your demonstration.
- Both posters or slides and project materials must be used in a demonstration along with the spoken script. No video!
- The demonstration should be between three and five minutes long.
- A good demonstration has three main parts:
- Introduction: Start your speech with a question or catchy phrase. Tell your audience what you will be speaking about.
- Body: Show and tell your project step by step. You should include at least 3 points. It may be easier to plan this part first.
- Conclusion: Briefly restate the main points of your demonstration. Be sure to show the finished product. Give the source of your information.
Contact Information
Tim Roberts
tim.roberts@utk.edu
Kelly Ravlija
Krav@utk.edu
Kyla Szemplinski
kszempli@utk.edu
Khalaya Cooper
kcoope53@utk.edu
Sydney Grayson
sgrayso6@tnstate.edu
Micah Davis
mdavisbo@utk.edu
Steps In Giving A Demonstration:
Planning
- Choose a simple idea from a 4-H Project with which you are familiar
- List steps involved in the demonstration
- Outline an explanation to go with the steps
- Make a list of all materials and equipment needed
Preparation
Secure the necessary materials Make a minimum of 3 posters (not tri-fold boards) OR slides (PowerPoint or Google Sliddes) to illustrate your talk:
- Title Poster or Slide
- Supplies Poster or Slide- or list of ingredients or materials
- Directions Poster or Slide – or steps to follow
Posters or Slides should have letters and pictures large enough to be seen across the classroom:
- Letters on title should be 2-3 inches high. Letters on other posters or slides should be around 3/4 – 2 inches high.
- Block letters are easiest to read. All letters on one poster or slide should be the same color for ease of reading.
- Posters or Slides may be on white or colored poster board but MUST be 14 x 22 inches in size (1/2 of poster board). Use dark colors on light background and light colors on dark background for contrast.
Prepare demonstration according to your plans, make sure your information is correct!
Remember time limit: 3 to 5 minutes
Practice Presentation
- Check and re-check to make sure you have everything you need.
- Remember to speak slowly and clearly. Be yourself!
- Smile! Look at your audience whenever possible.
- Keep your working area neat and clean. Remember to keep all bowls, boxes, etc.to the side of you and “work” in the center. Have towel ready for any messes.
- Remember not to mention any commercial brands or store names.
- Tell your source of information.
- Conclude with your title poster and a finished product if you have one.
- Ask for questions after the conclusion. Answer as well as you can. If you do not know the answer, admit it and promise you will try to find that information.