4-H Entomology in Mississippi
Visual Presentation Contests
The Entomology Visual Presentation Contests provide both Junior and Senior 4-Hers with an opportunity to share their knowledge about insects with others. Preparing and presenting a visual presentation allows 4-Hers to learn about their chosen topic and to teach others what they have learned. It also teaches and enhances public presentation skills and provides training and experience that will benefit contestants throughout their lives.
Clover Leaf Exhibits: Clover Leaf Exhibits are for 4-Hers ages 8-9. Preparing and giving a Clover Leaf Exhibit is an easy way to learn the basic skills involved in giving visual presentations. Insects are great topics for Clover Leaf Exhibits. Simply choose a topic that relates to insects or some aspect of entomology and prepare a single, stand-alone poster that presents the information you want to share. On the day of the contest all you have to do is stand by and visit with the judges when they come to see your exhibit. Relax and have fun. You are going to know more about your subject than the judges! You will also get to see the exhibits other contestants prepared.
Entomology Visual Presentations for Junior 4-Hers: The Junior visual presentation contest is for 4-Hers ages 10-13, but the competition is subdivided into two different age groups. Contestants in the Age 10-11 group are ranked according to ribbon color (Blue, Red, or White) but are not placed (1st, 2nd, etc.). Contestants in the Age 12-13 group are assigned a placing (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) and a ribbon color. This is standard for Junior 4-H visual presentation contests in all project areas. Visual presentation contests for juniors are held at four District Project Achievement Days, which are usually hosted on the campus of a community college located in the district. The time limit for junior-level visual presentations is 3 to 10 minutes.
Entomology Visual Presentations for Senior 4-Hers: The Senior Visual Presentation contest is for 4-Hers ages 14-18. Visual presentation contests are held on the campus of Mississippi State University during 4-H Club Congress. Contestants are assigned a placing (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) and ribbon color. The time limit for senior-level visual presentations is 3 to 10 minutes.
Presentation Methods: Visual presentation contestants may use either physical posters or electronic media (PowerPoint Presentations) for their visual presentations. Although well-prepared posters may be somewhat more impressive to most judges, there is little score advantage between using physical posters or electronic media. Contestants using electronic media for their presentation are responsible for making sure they have the equipment necessary to present their topic. A computer and projector will usually be provided, but contestants are ultimately responsible for providing the equipment needed to make their presentation or making sure their presentation is compatible to run on the available equipment. An easel will be available for contestants using posters to make their visual presentation.
Whether you use posters or electronic media, you can add an additional dimension to your presentation by using physical props. This is not appropriate for every topic, but effective use of physical props such as nets or other collecting equipment, tools for pesticide application (do not bring actual pesticides or contaminated equipment!), beekeeping equipment, or other tools, equipment, or props appropriate to the topic can enhance a presentation.
Choosing a Topic for Entomology Presentations: Entomology visual presentations can be on any insect-related topic, and this means there is a huge number of options. Choose a topic that you are personally interested in, one that you already have considerable knowledge about, or one that you would like to learn more about. Be sure to choose a topic that effectively uses the available time and can be adequately covered in the time allotted. For example, the topic “How to Use a Fly Swatter” probably would not fill enough time, and the topic “All the Species of Beetles in the World” would take far too long!
Examples of some possible topics for entomology presentations are shown below. These are presented just to give an idea of the types of topics that can be presented. Be creative. You are certainly welcome to make a presentation on any of the topics listed here, but there are many other equally suitable topics from which to choose. Hint: for many of the topics listed below simply changing the name of the insect results in a completely different presentation.
-- The Life and Times of the Monarch Butterfly
-- The Dance of the Honey Bee
-- Getting Started in Beekeeping
-- How to Pin and Spread a Butterfly
-- Beneficial Insects in the Garden
-- Insect Pests of Tomatoes
-- The Life of the Lady Beetle
-- Insect Life Cycles
-- The Body Parts of an Insect
-- How to Control Fire Ants
-- Termites and Your Home
-- Mosquitoes and What You Can Do About Them
-- The Biology of the Flea
-- Insect or Spider? How Can You Tell?
-- There’s Insects in our Food!
-- Clothes Moths and Carpet Beetles
-- How to Make an Insect Collection
-- Grow a Butterfly Garden
-- Insects in the Movies
-- The Facts about Head Lice
-- Insect Mouthparts: How Insects Eat
-- Paper Wasps: Harmful or Beneficial?
-- Insects in Camouflage
-- How to Make a Kill Jar
-- When I Grow Up, by Calvin the Caterpillar
-- The Most Deadly Animal on Earth