Self Determined Project Description

Self-determined offers an opportunity to develop and carry out a project of individual design. This means selecting a topic, deciding upon goals, obtaining resources and designing records. The member is responsible for developing this project with the advice or direction of an adult. This project can cover any subject and may be related to any current 4-H project. Examples include ceramics, bookkeeping, and outdoor cooking. In some areas, counties offer county projects. The member’s manual and the leader’s guide suggest ways to proceed.

Independent Project Description

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. They should identify an area of interest within the project area, set goals and locate resources (people, publications, materials) to carry out a project plan. They then determine specific experiences needed to accomplish project goals, set realistic timeline for completion, carry out the project learning plan, share experiences with others, evaluate outcomes and determine what could be improved.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Evaluate your project by determining the extent to which the goals were accomplished, what was learned and how it could be improved.

The self determined and independent study project requires an application to be submitted to the extension office or the corresponding proejct leader for approval. The application is due May 1st. 

Click here for the application.

Helpful Project Books 

You Decide

Helping Them Decide

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and the Montana State University Extension Service prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Director of Extension, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717