Small Engines
Small Engines is designed to help you learn about small engines and other power equipment, especially equipment used around the home. Youth will learn how gasoline engines operate, acquire skills needed to operate engines and equipment safely and become familiar with safety rules before starting and while operating engines. You will also create a desire for members to develop safe starting procedures and promote safe practices at home.
It may take three years to complete a level. You must complete a minimum of seven activities and five learning experiences each year to complete this project.
Projects to learn
At level 1 of small engines, students will learn
- cattle selection
- breeds
- management
- health
- reproduction and genetics
- nutrition and feeding
- carcass evaluation
- showing cattle
- marketing
At level 2 of small engines, students will learn
- leg structure
- how to present oral reasons in judging
- feed ingredients
- beef behavior
- nose printing
- parasites
- fitting your market beef
- ethical issues
- beef carcass composition
- retail meat cuts
At level 3 of small engines, students will learn
- teaching others by sharing knowledge
- explore career opportunitites
- learn about selection
- judging
- fees
- health
- reproduction
- meats and marketing
Independent study is for any youth looking for new challenges and opportunities in 4-H. This allows a member to explore topics that have not been investigated while remaining enrolled in a 4-H project. Members enrolling in the independent study phase of a project should
- develop a detailed learning plan for their work
- identify an area of interest within the project area
- set goals and locate resources (people, publications, materials) to carry out a project plan
- determine specific experiences needed to accomplish project goals,
- set a realistic timeline for completion
- carry out the project learning plan,
- share experiences with others
- evaluate outcomes and determine what could be improved.
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
The individualized learning plan should be approved by a parent, 4-H adult volunteer leader or 4-H agent. For assistance in developing a personal learning contract, use Design Your Own project materials or other goal-setting materials. While independent study provides flexibility and creativity, it also requires serious planning, implementation and evaluation.
Materials you'll need
M Crank It Up! BU8186
M Warm it Up! BU8187
M Tune It Up!BU8188
M You Decide, 5314
L Helping Them Decide, 5315
L Small Engines Helper’s Guide, BU8189 Find group activities, helpful hints for each activity in the youth guides and additional small engine project
Non-Animal Record Books
A Project/Financial Journal is needed for each non-animal related project. Project journals need to contain the name of the project, the year these records were kept, and a leader/parent signature. All sections of the journal need to be completed. If nothing was done in an area or section of a record sheet, the word “none” or something similar should be written.
Careers in Small Engines
If you are wanting to explore careers in small engines, below are some of the potential routes you can take. 4-H members interested in going to college can also visit the 4-H foundation website for scholarships in their county or reservation.
