Kentucky 4-H members participated at the 51st Annual National 4-H Engineering, Science and Leadership Event in West Lafayette, Indiana, September 30 through October 2, 2001. Five members from the commonwealth competed in four events.

The event drew in 54 contestants from 12 states. Areas of competition included aerospace, automotive, bicycle, computer, electric, lawn tractor, small engines, tractor, and welding. All of the contestants had won county and state competitions to qualify for the national event.

The Kentucky participants were John Towles, Scott Co.; Eric Durban, McLean Co.; Jacob Denny, Garrard Co.; Brian Hargis, Pulaski Co.; and Ryan Quarles, Scott Co.

Contestants and accompanying adults spent a day on educational field trips at Purdue University, Frankfort, and Indianapolis. Included were workshops in the Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Aviation Technology and guided tours of Frito Lay, Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway, Round Grove Machine Corporation, and Caterpillar Engine Plant.

The event was conducted by Extension Agricultural Engineers and 4-H professionals from participating states. John Deere and Company sponsored the Lawn Tractor and Small Engines contests. Lincoln Electric sponsored the Welding contest. Additional funding was provided in some counties.