Life Challenge Contests

Family and Consumer Sciences subject matter-based challenges are a way for you to apply what you’ve learned in your 4-H projects to real-life situations. The challenges involve 4-H'ers working in teams, solving problems, and applying subject matter knowledge to a specific situation. For example, in the food and nutrition challenge you might use your creativity to create multiple menu options based on the needs of the situation and your budget.

Your challenge team can have two, three or four members. If you can’t find someone in your county who is interested in being on your team, your county Extension office will help you find someone from a surrounding county. A county Life Challenge packet was emailed to your county Extension office. This packet can help you practice before you get to the state event. The top teams in each challenge area will be recognized during the award ceremonies on Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon. The challenges in each area will involve information from 4-H project manuals and educational websites. These are listed as Resources under their respective contest tab.

Please see Life Challenge Rules for more regulations and eligibility guidelines.

Foods & Nutrition Challenge

The 2019 foods and nutrition challenge will health and nutrition education. We will learn ways UNL Campus Recreation engages college youth about nutrition, health, and wellness through a tour of the East Campus Rec center. The information learned will then be applied to a challenge question. A team of 2-4 youth will have 45 minutes to respond with a solution. The presentation will be open to any youth or others who are interested. Cost to participate is $8.00 per individual.

Resources

Awards

  • The top five teams will be recognized with ribbons.
  • Each member of the top placing team will receive $25 and a scholarship from the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Human Development Challenge

This challenge will be combined with the ESI challenge. See the ESI challenge description for more details. Cost to participate is $8.00 per individual.

Resources

Awards

  • The top three individuals or team will be recognized with certificates.
  • Members of the top placing team will receive a scholarship from the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Design Challenge

In the design challenge we will learn about the current renovation and design changes happening on East Campus Union. We will heard from the East Campus Union Director about the remodel and how the changes and are meeting the needs of students. Specifically, how they are using design to help UNL students engage with each other and create social connections. The challenge will focus on designing spaces to create social connections. Cost to participate is $8.00 per individual.

Resources

Awards

  • The top five teams will be recognized with ribbons.
  • Members of the top placing team will receive $25 and a scholarship from the College of Education and Earth Sciences.

Entrepreneurship Investigation (ESI) Challenge

The ESI Challenge involves 4-H'ers working in teams, getting creative and applying subject matter knowledge to build a business solution to a problem facing society today. No previous experience with ESI or business development is necessary to enter this competition. It is recommended that teams have 4-H’ers who have skills or interests in team roles such as a creative artist; a financial wizard and/or the marketing genius. The top teams will be recognized during the award ceremonies on Tuesday afternoon.

Challenge Goal
To develop a concept that provides a business solution for the provided issue or challenge.

Challenge Criteria

  • Your Challenge Team can have a minimum of three or four members. If you can’t find someone in your county who is interested in being on your team, your county extension office will help you find someone from a surrounding county.
  • Your team will develop a concept plan for your solution to the problem.
  • Your team will test your ideas for viability by interviewing members from other teams, recording your findings and fine-tuning your business solution.
  • Your team will then create and deliver a presentation about your concept and marketing plan for your business solution. You can use PowerPoint, poster boards (provided) and other materials to prepare the presentation.
  • Presentations will be given in front of an audience consisting of other contestants, parents, guests and a panel of judges.

Preparation Activity (optional)
Think of a problem around how people make connections within your local community. As a team, brainstorm possible solutions to a problem which could be solved through social, cultural or economic entrepreneurship.

Questions to think about

  • How would you go about finding out about the social connectedness needs of your community?
  • What product or service would you develop to address the need(s) determined above?
  • Who are your customers and why would they buy your product/service?
  • How would your customers get your products/service?
  • How would your business make money?
  • What is the best way to let your customers know about your product/service?
  • What do you need to start your business? Facilities, cash, knowledge?
  • What other decisions do you need to make about your business?

Resources

Awards

The top teams will be recognized during the award ceremonies on Tuesday afternoon.

There will be five award categories:

  • Most Innovative Product or Service
  • Best Pitch
  • Youth Choice Award
  • Other Choice Award
  • Best Overall Innovation Concept

For questions about this program or the information on this page, please contact:

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COORDINATOR: Michelle Krehbiel
EMAIL: mkrehbiel2@unl.edu
PHONE: 402-472-9020