My three kids took on 4H projects for the first time this year. Of course, they thought they should immediately jump into raising chickens (in our very suburban surrounding). Their mother and I thought it would be better to take on smaller projects while we learn more about how 4H works and what is expected from the kids participating in projects.

We are currently displaying model rocket, cake decorating and photography projects in the 4H exhibit hall at the county fair. Each of my kids learned some good lessons during the process, but it was not always an easy process. They received their projects books late in the game and were pressed for time. The perfectionist of the bunch struggled with the realization that the project may not be 100% complete. There are some sophisticated elements to these projects considering an 8, 10 and 12 year old; interview a professor or scientist, organize a visit to the bakery with your 4H group, detail your supplies cost and develop a budget for the project etc.

They each had interviews about their projects in front of a judge, which stressed out the introvert of the bunch. And can you believe they even took into account their appearance – talk about stressors for a kid who prefers bed-head over a comb!

Two of the three did not complete their projects (including the perfectionist) but stepped up and presented their projects, did their interviews and placed their items on display. They received their grades and all came away knowing they were treated fairly and had made it through the whole process. Next year they will understand what is expected of them, what kind of pace they will need to implement, and what the winning projects had that theirs did not. It’s all part of the curve.

Consider taking on a project of your own, save your plant some compressed air. EXAIR understands you may not know everything about the process, so rely on us for some direction about the best product choices and implementation.  And recognize you don’t have to save the entire plant some compressed air (as compared to raising chickens before a small project), you can start with one application, one leg of the compressed air system, or one open blowoff. At the end of the day you will know more about how to save compressed air – that’s the whole point.

For your next compressed air savings project you will know better what to expect, what kind of process you will need to go through and  what is available to you in order to save that air. It is a process worth starting because  you’ll know more in the end, more about less compressed air that is.

Kirk Edwards
Application Engineer
kirkedwards@exair.com