Washington 4-H Teams Show Their Skills in Regional Robotics Competition
By Betsy Fradd, WSU Extension 4-H
Over 125 youth from Washington State 4-H clubs added their expertise, enthusiasm, and various levels of engineering abilities at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) regional robotics competition. They comprised eight of 100 teams who each designed, built and programmed a robot during the allotted six week time period.
At the competition teams competed in a Logo Motion game where they had just over two minutes to hang circle, square and triangle logo pieces on poles nine feet in the air. Bonus points were added if teams used their mini robot to shimmy up to the top.
“I had so much fun learning about teamwork, programming, wiring and, above all, gracious professionalism, said Rebecca from Chelan/Douglas County. “In this competition gracious professionalism is when you assist other teams if they need it and nobody is left behind. It makes it fun and everyone is willing to help.”
4-H teams from Spokane, Grays Harbor, Pierce, Clallam, Chelan/Douglas, Benton/Franklin, Cowlitz, and Grays Harbor took part in the three day event at Qwest Field Events Center in Seattle March 17 - 19. Clark County participated in a separate regional event in Portland the following weekend.
Each team received $6,500 for the competition entrance fee in addition to $3,500 for additional materials, supplies and travel to the event from long-standing 4-H partner JC Penney. Adult mentors from both technology and non-science backgrounds volunteered afterschool and weekends to help students navigate their projects.
“The youth developed skills in problem solving and team building that were quickly put to the test when the robot didn’t perform according to plan, said Janet Edwards, WSU 4-H Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Specialist. ” They were successful in building the robots because they had extraordinary mentors who joined their teams and offered their expertise.”
The Highest Rookie Seed award was presented to Grays Harbor County while Chelan/Douglas and Clark County earned Rookie Inspiration honors.
On-going enthusiasm between youth, mentors, and partners is creating a robotics surge within Washington State. “I was most excited to hear the teams report how they plan to continue the 4-H experiences for new robotics clubs, “ said Edwards. “ Bringing robots to Teen Conference, recruiting team members to be camp counselors, and starting new clubs to recruit younger members were among the ideas that evolved from the FIRST competition.
view more 4-H Robotics competition photos online
Posted April 2011
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