Categories:

1. Spelling Bee
Participants must be in grades 1 to 8. The spelling bee word lists and rules are available for download from the SHEM website. If you want the list and rules mailed to you, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your registration. For more information, please contact Rachel Holcomb at dholcomb7402@juno.com or 736.9806.        Click this link for Spelling Bee lists


2. Science Fair
Ages 10 and under students may display an Experimental or Non-Experimental project.
Ages 11 to 18 students may display only an Experimental project.

One student per project.

A Non-Experimental project may be: A collection from nature which classifies and displays items like rocks, flowers, etc., or a demonstration or model explaining a scientific law, principle, or concept.
Experimental projects need to be completed using the scientific method of research, hypothesis, experiment, results, and conclusion.

For more information, please contact: Doug and Patti Holcomb, dholcomb7402@juno.com or 417.736.9806.


3. History Fair
Theme: Open to allow you to present whatever you have been studying in history.

1. History Writing Division – Research/Report Writing/Essay
- Judging based on: Content (50%), Grammar (20%), Creativity (20%),
Presentation (10%)
-Writing projects must be typed or handwritten by the student.
-All writing must be in Notebook Form – No Display Boards will be
accepted
-Must be emailed or mailed no later than February 20th, to:
whitakers@shemonline.org or
SHEM History Fair
373 Scenic Country Lane
Clever, Mo 65631
2. History Display Division – Display Boards. Includes maps, models, etc.
- Judging based on Presentation (40%), Historical content (40%),
Creativity (10%), Mechanics (10%)
- Display MUST be checked in between 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the day
of the fair

4. Table Setting
1. Entries are open to one person/team per exhibit ONLY.
2. Complete construction of table setting must be done at the Fair. Only exhibitors will be allowed in contest area.
3. Exhibitor can enter only ONE Table Setting in the Division.
4. You will have up to 1 hour to set up your display. You will not be judged while setting up your display.
5. Table Settings must be for two (2).
6. Paper or plastic are permitted where appropriate within the chosen theme.
7. “Store bought” centerpieces may NOT be used.
8. Glasses/beverage containers & flatware should be set for all courses.
9. Dinnerware should be set for all courses except dessert.
10. The Exhibitor must supply a square table with dimensions of 30” x 30” to 36” x 36”. No extensions or additions are allowed. No chairs are permitted.
11. A menu must be included and it is defined as being: ‘ all prepared food and beverages that would be included in the main dish course’. Settings MUST correspond with menu.
12. Table surface must be covered by some sort of material that is appropriate to the theme and allows for a 6 inch overhang on the table.
13. Plan ahead. Know how your place setting will go together before you bring it to the fair. If you assemble your exhibit for practice, you may want to take a picture of it or draw a sketch that will help you in assembling it at the fair.
14. TABLE SETTING MUST BE CONTAINED ON TOP OF TABLE ONLY. NO ADDED FLOOR ITEMS ALLOWED.
15. JUDGING - Table Setting in each class will be judged by the following criteria:
50 % Idea: Theme carried out in all aspects of setting.
20% General Appearance: Neatness, clean, proportions, appropriateness
20% Harmony: Design, color, theme, shapes of dishes, silverware, centerpiece
suited to menu and theme.
5% Menu appropriate to theme
5% Proper placement of dishes, glassware, silver; spacing not too crowded

5. Other Exhibits

Foods

1. Cookies - This category can be entered with any type of cookie baked, no bake, pressed, decorated, or not. These will be judged on appearance, consistency of type, texture and flavor. The entry should be 4 cookies on a 6” white plate with the recipe attached. Please indicate the type of cookie on the entry form.

2. Theme Cookie - This can be a single larger cookie (no larger than a 12” diameter cookie), or a collection of 4 smaller cookies that in some way represents a book that they have read. They may be baked or created, decorated or not but must be representational of a creation based on a book. They may be presented on a white background plate or board depending on the size of cookies. There must be a large index card indicating the book read and how or why their creation is appropriate. These will not be tasted, only judged on creativity, originality, connectedness to book, and detailing in design.

3. Biscuits - This category can be entered by drop, cut, or otherwise formed biscuits, including flavored or specialty biscuits. These will be judged on the appearance, flavor, crumb, texture, and appropriate mixture of ingredients. There should be 4 biscuits on a 6” white plate.

4. Muffins - This is an open muffin category meaning that they can be plain, fruit, or have other quick bread type ingredients (blueberries, cinnamon/sugar, apple, raisin, chocolate chips, nuts. . . ). They should be regular not mini in size and 4 of them should be presented on a 6” white plate with the recipe attached. Please identify the muffin type (blueberry, apple/cinnamon, etc. . ) on the entry form. The muffins will be judged on shape, color, volume, crumb, flavor and crust.

5. Candy - Any cooked, baked, dipped, rolled, etc., types of candy are eligible to enter in this category. Six pieces should be presented on a 6” plate with the recipe attached. The candy will be judged on flavor, texture, appearance, and consistency.

6. Bread - This includes any type of yeast, or raised bread that is baked not in a bread machine. Quick breads are not eligible. Whole or half loaves will be accepted on a plate with an attached recipe. Any variations of traditional white yeast bread can be made such as potato bread or white or rye bread, just indicate that on the recipe. The bread will be judged on flavor, texture, grain, crust, and color.

7. Healthy Foods - This category must be a non-temperature sensitive recipe (i.e. nothing that has to be kept hot or cold for safety sake). The requirement is to cook/bake something that the student has modified the recipe to make it healthier. The food, along with a copy of the old recipe and a copy of the modifications the student made should be attached. This should be presented in a container appropriate to the type of food. The foods will be judged on flavor, appearance, texture, and probability of a family eating them as a healthier substitute.


Handicrafts
All sewing projects will be judged by the following criteria: workmanship, general appearance, suitability of design, color, fabric, creativity, and difficulty of project along with originality.

1. Sewing-Machine Non-garment items - This category is for those sewing projects that are constructed using a sewing machine at least 90% of the construction time that are not garments (i.e potholders, aprons, pillows, baby quilt, etc. .).

2. Sewing-Machine Garment items - This category is for those sewing projects that are constructed using a sewing machine at least 90% of the construction time creating a garment to wear (skirt, shirt, hat, jacket, etc. ).

3. Sewing-Hand sewing - Any sewing constructed at least 90% by hand sewing. This includes but is not limited to a garment, decorative item, or useful household item made by the student.

4. Knit/Crocheted items - These items can be garments, throws, socks, scarves, or other hand knitted or crocheted items. They can be made from any type of yarn or thread.

5. Needlework - This category includes all works that are embroidered, cross-stitched, or otherwise hand stitched for a creative design project. They can be a complete project (needlepoint wall hanging) or a portion of the item (tatted lace on a pillowcase edge).

6. Other decorative work - This category is an open one for all other decorated garments or accessories using paint, jewels, beads, dying techniques, weaving, ribbon or lace work.


Visual Arts

1. Ceramics - Any ceramics created through clay work, or decorated through stains, glazes, underglazes, or overglazes are appropriate in this category. They will be judged on attention to detail, painting well done, workmanship appropriate to age, originality, and appropriate use of paint, and finishing products.

2. Jewelry - Jewelry created by use of beading, wire work, or other creative methods to make original jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, decorative pins, etc.. They will be judged on attention to detail, creativity, originality, appropriate construction methods, and difficulty of project.

3. Sculpture - Original sculpted works can be submitted made of clay, stone, soap, recycled materials, or whatever creative thing that students want to use to create a sculpture including mixed medium ones. The sculpture must have a name and must be identified by what it is made with and must not melt or create a mess during the expo (i.e. no ice or butter sculptures). They will be judged on originality, creativity, use of technique, use of materials, and complexity of project.

4. Leatherwork - Any leather worked or created item is eligible. The item can be carved or stamped. Lacing or other leather type work (braiding, etc.) can be a part of it or not. It will be judged on correct and consistent technique, appropriate depth of carving/stamping, creativity, and originality, as well as difficulty of project.

5. Scrapbook, Notebook, or Lapbook Work - These creative expressions of events, studies, or collections of information should be submitted in this category. They can be on a theme, centered around a book/study, or a collection of information or related things. They will be judged on creativity, appropriateness of presentation, originality, balanced composition, choice of combination of mediums, colors, materials, as well as, attention to detail and complexity of project.

6. Drawing - The drawing can be a pencil, ink, charcoal, colored pencils, or other medium except paint with the maximum size being 16” x 20”. It must be framed or mounted in such a way that it can be sit up on a table leaning against a solid surface (like a wall) or lay flat as space is available. Drawings not on paper (like a sketch on bark) should be presented so that they can be easily displayed. It will be judged on correct techniques used consistently, balanced composition, originality of subject or presentation of subject, choice of colors if any, creativity and overall appearance as well difficulty of drawing.

7. Painting - Paintings can be oil, acrylic, water, or other types so that they are color creating paints (i.e. homemade berry paint is fine). They can be on canvas, glass, plastic, metal, or wood as long as they are free hand (i.e. no paint by number) and 16” x 20” or smaller. They should be presented so that they display by leaning against a solid object (wall), or laying flat will work or that they stand alone (painting on chunk of driftwood or a stone). They will be judged on correct techniques used consistently, balanced composition, originality, color schemes used, creativity, presentation style, as well as overall appearance and difficulty of painting.

Industrial Arts

1. Wood Turning – Any item made with wood turning for household or personal use.

2. Woodwork- Household use item – Household items may be functional or decorative. All items must be made of wood by the exhibitor.

3. Woodcarving – Any item carved on wood by the exhibitor.

4. Woodcraft – Any item made of wood not mentioned. This may include any craft made from toothpicks or popsicle sticks as well.