Demonstrations
Demonstrations is an optional 4-h activity but very fun and benificial to the 4-h member. It requires a team of two members. They demonstrate how to do something. The product is either a finished product or a learned skill. It can be anything from how to do a health check on a rabbit, to making cookies, or making a birdhouse. It has to 8-10 minutes. You have one table and two easels', one for each side of the table. You use poster boards for title sheets, materials sheets, instructions, summary, and perhaps cost. You need one poster sheet for the front of the table saying your names, club, and 4-h canada logo. All your materials will be on the table with a lable for each item. In the middle of the table will be where you will demonstrate. You will have to ask if there are any questions at the end of your demo.
Tips for Demonstrations
- Pick something you already know how to do or would like to learn.
- Print out the posters on the computer using large enough font that people in the back can read it.
- If you use colored poster board make sure to cut out the words very neatly because the white paper stands out .
- Arrange the materials on the table so that the person on that side won't have to reach across the table to grab a material.
- Use props under the tablecloth so the audience will be able to see everything
- Use pointers to show the audience everything.
- While reading something from the poster know your line so you do not talk to the poster instead of the audience
- Start with a little skit to catch the audiences' attention and introduce the topic.
- Thank the chairperson for introducing you and welcome the judges and audience. Split the lines up evenly between team members. DO NOT thank the audience; they are privileged to see your demo.
- Split up evenly work and speaking.
- Make jokes and laugh.
- Have notes on the table out of view of the audience that have your lines. Have a few interesting facts or jokes to make to fill in dead space ( time when you are working on something and no one is saying anything).
- Remember to ask if there are any questions before you wrap up your demo. Ask three times and then end it. Split up question answering between you. If you don't know the answer ask your partner to answer the question. If neither of you know, say that you don't know but will try to find the answer. when answering a question say "The question has been asked..." then repeat the question, so the rest of the audience can hear.
-At the end of your demo, say a wrap up line and "That concludes our demo" and both of you at the same time say the title of the demo.
- Relax and have fun; it shows in your demo.
- Print out the posters on the computer using large enough font that people in the back can read it.
- If you use colored poster board make sure to cut out the words very neatly because the white paper stands out .
- Arrange the materials on the table so that the person on that side won't have to reach across the table to grab a material.
- Use props under the tablecloth so the audience will be able to see everything
- Use pointers to show the audience everything.
- While reading something from the poster know your line so you do not talk to the poster instead of the audience
- Start with a little skit to catch the audiences' attention and introduce the topic.
- Thank the chairperson for introducing you and welcome the judges and audience. Split the lines up evenly between team members. DO NOT thank the audience; they are privileged to see your demo.
- Split up evenly work and speaking.
- Make jokes and laugh.
- Have notes on the table out of view of the audience that have your lines. Have a few interesting facts or jokes to make to fill in dead space ( time when you are working on something and no one is saying anything).
- Remember to ask if there are any questions before you wrap up your demo. Ask three times and then end it. Split up question answering between you. If you don't know the answer ask your partner to answer the question. If neither of you know, say that you don't know but will try to find the answer. when answering a question say "The question has been asked..." then repeat the question, so the rest of the audience can hear.
-At the end of your demo, say a wrap up line and "That concludes our demo" and both of you at the same time say the title of the demo.
- Relax and have fun; it shows in your demo.
Speak & Shows
A speak & show is basically the same as a demonstration except there is only one presenter. Follow the same rules as the demo. A speak & show is 5-10 min. for Juniors, 10-20 min. for Seniors. Of course you would only need one easel, so one set of instruction sheets, material sheets, ect. Speak & Show's do not go on to compete at district level as demos do.
You can expect to receive a written set of comments from the judges on your Demonstration or Speak and Show. View these comments as constructuve criticism that can help you improve your Demonstration or Speak and Show for next time. Judges comments are designed to help make even the best better.
You can expect to receive a written set of comments from the judges on your Demonstration or Speak and Show. View these comments as constructuve criticism that can help you improve your Demonstration or Speak and Show for next time. Judges comments are designed to help make even the best better.