4-H Delivers

4-H Robotics Technology Program

The Issue:

4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) projects engage youth in hands-on, inquiry-based learning to improve their science, engineering, and technology knowledge, skills, and abilities. The 4-H SET Initiative took off in Santa Cruz County when the 4-H Robotics Technology Program was developed.  The Santa Cruz County Robotics Technology Program was comprised of three different components: Robotics Challenge, Underwater ROV’s, and County-wide Robotics Project. The goal of these components was to further robotics education, increase 4-H participation, and increase youth science literacy. 

What Has 4-H Done?:

The first component of the Robotics Technology Program was the Robotics Challenge. This project was developed as a way to promote the 4-H program and get more youth interested in joining 4-H. The challenge was promoted among the county 4-H clubs and the local schools. Upon registration for the challenge, teams were given the challenge instructions and the basic equipment to build their robot. The challenge was held at the annual 4-H Spring Fair.

After participating in the Robotics Challenge, four teens wanted to further develop their skills by wiring a robot to perform underwater tasks. They signed up to compete in the MATE ROV competition and participated in the camera waterproofing workshop. This event provided them with the opportunity to get to know one another better, understand the importance of planning and working together how to work out disagreements to solve problems, what they would do different in the future, and how to apply this information to other experiences.

The third component of the program was the county-wide robotics project. This portion of the program was kicked off at the 2011 Santa Cruz County 4-H Camp where robotics served as the educational theme.  A portion of the grant received from the State 4-H SET Program was used to provide scholarships for 15 youth who had never been in 4-H and paid for their camp registration and enrollment for the following year. Additionally each county 4-H club received a robotics teaching kit and printed materials to allow them to offer this project to their members. Starting this project at camp set the foundation for the development of the new project by exposing the youth and volunteers to all the project has to offer. 

The Impact:

The youth and adults who participated in the various components of the project developed knowledge and skills through the learning sessions, projects, and events. These skills included but were not limited to problem solving, decision making, communication, planning, organizing, designing schematics, testing, and developing solutions. The skills developed over the course of this project can be applied towards attaining their career and educational goals. 4-H partnered with experts in the field from Monterey Peninsula College and the MATE program.