How do internal combustion engines work? What is the difference between a radiator and a carburetor? Participating in a Small Engines project will teach youth the answers to these questions, plus the skills on how to work on and repair small engines. Youth will also learn about potential career paths in this area.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn to service and maintain small engines
- Understand engine principles and fundamentals
- Use proper personal safety practices
- Gain job skills associated with a small-engine related business and marketable skills for the workplace
4-H Small Engines Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Youth learn about engine parts, engine maintenance, oil grades, spark plugs, cooling systems, and safety labels.
Youth explore internal parts of engines, learn about engine sizes, compression ratios, seasoning their engines, and safety issues. Youth also learn about occupational possibilities and about starting their own business.
Youth tear down and rebuild an engine, use diagnostic tools, research rules and regulations about using small engine machines, and select replacement engines.
Small Engines Curriculum Helper’s Guide
The Helper’s Guide includes group activities, helpful hints for each activity in the three youth guides, and additional small engine project meeting ideas.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Coming soon!
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Exploring 4-H Small Engines Spark Activity: Small Engines Scavenger Hunt – Illinois 4-H (PDF)
In Small Engines youth will develop knowledge and skills about engine types, internal parts, tools of the trade, safety issues, and what makes small engines work. They will get hands-on experiences that will help them understand how machines, such as lawn mowers and model airplanes, operate and how to keep them running.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Coming soon!
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Small Engines Project Guide – 4-H Canada, Alberta (PDF)
Small Engines Leader Guide – 4-H Canada, Alberta (PDF)
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
4-Stroke Internal Combustion Engine – NASA
How to Repair Small Engines – HowStuffWorks
Small gas engines serve us in many ways. They power lawn mowers, tillers, cultivators, trimmers, edgers, snowblowers, chain saws, pumps, generators, air compressors, and other useful home tools. They also power our fun: outboard boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, ultralight aircraft, and other toys. To keep them operating efficiently, an owner of these tools and toys should know about small engines: how they work and what to do when they don’t.
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
National 4-H Engines, Motors, & Machines Curriculum Collection