Nebraska FCCLA offers four different competitive event opportunities as part of the annual State Leadership Conference: FCS Challenge Tests, FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl, Skill Demonstration Events, and STAR Events. None of these state-level competitions are connected to the national competitive events offered at the National Leadership Conference, except STAR Events. We simply offer these opportunities at the state level to provide competition opportunities for members at SLC outside of STAR Events.

FCS Challenge Tests

These academic knowledge tests cover a wide range of subjects aligned with state FCS standards, allowing participants to showcase the skills and knowledge gained from their FCS courses and involvement in FCCLA. The FCS Challenge Tests are designed to evaluate participants’ abilities through a rigorous assessment exam, with test questions developed from current course standards and a variety of curricular resources, so participants are tested on relevant and up-to-date information, preparing them for further education and careers in their respective fields.

FCS Challenge tests are offered at three levels: Level 1 (grades 6-8), Level 2 (grades 9-10), and Level 3 (grades 11-12).

Tests are offered in the following topic areas at all levels: Child Development, Fashion Construction & Design, FCCLA Knowledge, General FCS, Housing & Interior Design, Interpersonal  Relationships – NEW, Life & Career Readiness, Nutrition, Parliamentary Knowledge, Personal Finance. 
Tests offered for Levels 2 & 3 only: Baking & Pastry – NEW, Counseling & Mental Health, Culinary Skills, Early Childhood Education – NEW, Education & Training, Event Management – NEW, Food Science, Hospitality & Tourism, Lifespan Development – NEW, and Parents & Families – NEW.

FCS Challenge Test Dates and Deadlines

  • February 1: SLC Participant Affiliation deadline (dues received by nationals)
  • March 5: State Leadership Conference Registration deadline
  • March 15 at 7am CDT – March 24 at 6pm CDT: FCS Challenge Test Online Testing Window

FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl

Modeled after the national competition, this is a team event (5 members) that tests members’ knowledge in six content areas over three rounds:

  1. Personal Finance
  2. Consumer Rights & Responsibilities (to include Family, Career & Community Studies)
  3. Technology (to include Fashion & Housing Design)
  4. Health & Safety (to include Food Science & Nutrition and Child & Lifespan Development)
  5. Environment (to include Hospitality, Tourism & Recreation)
  6. FCCLA Knowledge

Round 1: Teams will collaboratively take a 50-question quiz during the testing window.
Round 2: The top 12 teams will compete in the head-to-head competition at SLC on Monday.
Round 3: The final four teams will compete in the third/fourth place and first/second place matches during the SLC Recognition Session on Monday.

FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl Dates and Deadlines

  • February 1: SLC Participant Affiliation deadline (dues received by nationals)
  • February 3 at 7am CDT – February 12 at 6pm CDT: Qualifying Quiz Testing Window
  • February 15: Top 12 Teams Announced
  • March 5: State Leadership Conference Registration deadline

Skill Demonstration Events

These events provide opportunities for members to demonstrate college and career-readiness skills in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and related occupations. Members use event criteria to demonstrate skills learned in their FCS courses and through their involvement in FCCLA. The following Skill Demonstration Events at the stated levels will be offered at the 2027 State Leadership Conference:

  • Culinary Food Art – Level 2,3
  • Culinary Knife Skills – Level 2,3
  • FCCLA Creed Speaking & Interpretation – Level 1,2
  • Impromptu Speaking – Level 1,2,3
  • Interior Design Sketch – Level 2,3
  • Interviewing Skills – Level 1,2,3
  • Lesson Plan Development & Modifications – Level 2,3
  • Pastry Arts Technical Decorating Skills – Level 2,3
  • Speak Out for FCCLA – Level 1,2,3
  • #TeachFCS – Level 1,2,3
  • Toys that Teach – Level 1,2,3

Skill Demonstration Event Dates and Deadlines

  • February 1: SLC Participant Affiliation deadline (dues received by nationals)
  • March 5: State Leadership Conference Registration deadline
  • March 25: Substitution Deadline

STAR Events

STAR Events (Students Taking Action with Recognition) are competitive events in which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. STAR Events encourage active student participation and recognize accomplishments of youth. The belief that everyone can be successful is the foundation of these events; cooperation and competition are stressed in positive, constructive ways. 

Competition begins at the District level, then the State level (if members advance), and finally the National level (if members advance), with the exception of Online STAR Events, which all take place at the national level, and Baking & Pastry and Culinary Arts, which only take place at the state level.

Materials for the Baking & Pastry and Culinary Arts STAR Event competitions will be published by December 15, including recipes, study guides, and event information. Competitors in these events must register in December/January and then take an online Qualifying Quiz. In each event, the eight (8) competitors with the highest score on the Qualifying Quiz will be eligible to compete at the in-person competition at SLC on Monday, April 5 at the Food Science Center on the UNL Innovation Campus. Competitors who do not make the top 8 will have an opportunity to compete in a related Skill Demonstration Event instead.

  • 2027 Baking & Pastry Materials – will be published by December 15!
  • 2027 Culinary Arts Materials – will be published by December 15!

STAR Event Dates and Deadlines

  • December 15: STAR Event Competitor Affiliation deadline (dues received by nationals)
  • January 15: Baking & Pastry and Culinary Arts Registration deadline
  • January 19 at 7am CDT – January 29 at 6pm CDT: Baking & Pastry and Culinary Arts Qualifying Quiz Online Testing Window
  • February 2: Baking & Pastry and Culinary Arts Top 8 Qualifiers announced
  • March 5: State Leadership Conference Registration deadline
  • April 14 at 12pm (noon) CDT: NLC STAR Event Competitor decision deadline

Learn more about STAR Events on the national FCCLA website!

National Competitive Event Opportunities

FCCLA offers competitive event opportunities for students to participate in at the national level. These events are open to any members and do not require members to qualify from the State level. You can learn more about these national opportunities on the corresponding pages of the national FCCLA website.