Self-Determined Project
What is it All About?
Self-determined projects are your chance to explore beyond what 4-H usually offers! If you look at all the projects listed in this guide and still don’t see your Spark, you can choose a self-determined project. Make sure to plan what you want to do in the project. Be specific and write down your goals.
This project area is available in each of the project groupings. It is most suitable for older youth ready for more self-paced, self-guided learning.
Grow in Your Project
Beginner
- Learn to develop your project idea
- Inventory your interests, needs, aspirations, concerns, experiences, skills, and resources related to the areas you are looking to learn more about
- Create and submit a project plan to your 4-H Educator
Intermediate
- Set project goals
- Develop a plan on how to achieve your goals
- Carry out your plan
- Work with others to develop your plan
Advanced
- Evaluate your progress on project goals
- Record your progress
- Share your experience with others
- Teach others and mentor them in your project
Member Resources
Take Your Project Further!
- Take a tour of something related to your project
- Interview someone with a career related to your project
- Participate in a radio program to share your learning with others
- Create a display for school or a library showing others about your project
- Create a video to share about what you are learning
- Visits a store that sells items related to your project
- Discuss your project with family and friends
- Check out books related to your project at the library
- Visits websites that can tell you more information about your topic
- Find community sponsored workshop or talks related to your project
Applying Project Skills to Life
Enhance Your Communication Skills
- Give a demonstration at your club meeting about your project idea
- Write a letter to the newspaper sharing information you have learned
Get Involved in Citizenship and Service
- Make items that can be donated to those in need
- Learn about government agencies or commissions that take interest in your topic
Learn about Leadership
- Host a community workshop to teach others about your project area
- Host a self-determined open house allowing you and others in the project to share what you are learning
- Encourage others to get involved in your project
Showing What You’ve Learned
- A photo display of your learning
- A poster explaining what you are learning
- Make an item related to your project
- A leadership poster that would help you to teach others about your project
- A display showing research you conducted about your project
- A display of you doing your project (dance, theater, etc.)
- A video demonstrating you working in your project and teaching others
- A workshop on your project to help get more people interested
- Create a lesson plan for others to use to teach your project
- A slideshow demonstrating your process and how others can create their own project
- Anything else you can think of!
Adapted with permission from Wyoming State 4-H, Project Information Sheet, Self-Determined. Retrieved from: https://www.uwyo.edu/4-h/projects/leadership-civic-engagement/self-determined.html.
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