Get connected with hardware and software! Explore the digital side of life by building computers or learning how to use or program them for gaming, staying connected, solving problems, and building virtual networks.
- Develop an interest in and understanding of computers and networking.
- Develop problem-solving and logical reasoning skills.
- Improve communication and teamwork skills by working the way scientists and engineers do, in teams.
- Develop responsible attitudes about science and how science relates to the world and people’s lives.
Ideas for Project Area Learning!
- Gain experience in problem-solving and decision-making using science process skills.
- Develop knowledge and skills related to computer hardware and software.
- Learn about computers and the internet, how they work, and how you use them.
- Teach your grandparents how to use a digital device or Internet application you like.
- Learn and practice electronic etiquette.
- Use computer hardware and software tools and skills to build a computer network, simple program, or social network tool.
- Learn about the proper care of your computer and computer accessories.
- Learn about the history of computers.
- Find out how computers are used in various industries.
- Keep a notebook with computing terms to reference.
- Learn the function keys or shortcut keys for a favorite program you use.
- Learn a proper technique for keyboarding.
- Discover the elements of proper email etiquette.
- Create your own database to track a collection.
Project Area Events
Project Area Learning
Iowa 4-H Contact
Alexa Groff
Share What You Learn With Others!
Communication
- Prepare an educational presentation on computer programming.
- Practice using technology with presentations.
- Practice essential skills for having an interview through video chat.
Civic Engagemenet
- Use a computer and network hardware media and skills to address personal or community issues.
- Offer to manage social media for a local nonprofit.
- Create an app to help people find volunteer opportunities.
Leadership
- Teach younger kids how to be safe when using social media.
- Organize a field trip to a local lab business to learn how computers and technology inform what they do.
- Lead a workshop on a computer program or platform at your local senior center.
Exhibit Ideas
- Make a poster on the parts of the computer.
- Create a display of social media etiquette and safety.
- Exhibit a simple computer game that you wrote.
- Do an educational presentation on the history of computer languages.
- Build a computer.
- Use a computer program to design a quilt or wall hanging or make a digital model of an item you are creating or engineering.