Self-Determined
4-H Self-Determined Project
The Self-Determined project allows youth to create and pursue a project of their own design, either as an advanced phase of an existing project or in a new area where no formal project exists.
It encourages resourcefulness and creativity, supports selecting a topic of personal interest, and provides experience in goal setting and decision-making.
Participants assume responsibility for their own choices and explore how their project experience connects to the development and application of life skills.
Self-determined projects are county-level projects only and do not qualify to be exhibited at the State Fair.
Project Overview
Self-Determined
Designed for members 8-18 years old
The Self-Determined project enables you to design your own project. This may be a more advanced phase of an existing project or in an area where no project exists.
Objectives include:
- Developing resourcefulness and creativity
- Enabling selection of a topic of interest where no unit exists
- Providing experience in goal setting and decision making regarding your own interests and needs
- Assuming responsibility for your own decisions
- Determining the relationship between project experience and application of life skills
Official Project Materials
Materials & Curriculum
Member Resources
Find Your County
Counties play a crucial role in 4-H by providing a platform for young people to learn and grow.
Counties facilitate the delivery of 4-H programs that are of particular interest in their area and qualified, compassionate adult leaders run local clubs to support our youth 4-H members.
To find out if this project is supported locally, contact your local extension office.
Upcoming Events
Currently there are no events scheduled at this time associated to this page. Please check back for the latest events as they are scheduled.
Project Steps
- Select a topic.
- Define the topic.
- Develop your plan of action.
- Carry out your plan.
- Evaluation of how it all went.
- Exhibit your project through a demonstration or display.
Project Tips
- Choose a topic of interest to you, that you would like to do research or experimentation on, or something you want to learn about.
- Design your program with your talents and interests in mind.
- Plan how you will measure your success and achieve your desired result. Think about the life skills you are focusing on.
- Organize your action plan and figure out who can mentor you or help you learn along the way.
Exhibiting
Your exhibit should include the following things
- A written description of your goals, objectives, action plan, accomplishments and evaluation of the results. You may use pictures or any records you kept.
- A self report of developed or enhanced life skills including the identified life skill, how the project helped develop and enhance the life skill, and how it will be used in another situation
- Optional: An article or item made as a part of your project displayed publicly (school, fair, etc…)