Facebook
X (Twitter)
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
Delicious
LinkedIn
StumbleUpon
Robotics
The 4-H robotics program inspires young people and develops an early interest in robotics engineering and technology. Through robotics, 4-H’ers learn teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, engineering and design.
See the National 4-H site for information and links to current robotics educational resources.
For more information on STEM projects, please contact: Jessica Bautista at jbautista@ucanr.edu.
Junk Drawer Robotics
The 4-H Junk Drawer Robotics program offers a useful way of engaging youth in engineering design using robotics. In each module, youth learn about an underlying scientific or engineering concept related to robotics. As youth progress through the curriculum, their knowledge of the multidisciplinary nature of robotics grows. At the end of the three modules, youth design and build a robot using what they have learned.
Curriculum Outline
Module 1: Give Robots a Hand
You will explore the design and function of robotic arms, hands and grippers and build a robotic arm that really moves!
Module 2: Robots on the Move
You will design and build machines that roll, slide, draw or move underwater and explore robot mobility – movement, power transfer and locomotion.
Module 3: Mechatronics
This unit is all about the connection between the mechanical and electronic elements of robots and you will explore sensors, write programs, build circuits and design your own robot.
Each module contains a number of activities in these phases:
|
To Learn: Science is finding out how things work. These activities emphasize exploration and form the foundation upon which you build conceptual understanding. |
|
To Do: Engineering is designing something to work from what you discovered. These activities build upon the knowledge gained in the exploration phase related to the concepts in the module. You are presented with a design problem and work together to design and plan a solution. |
|
To Make: Technology is using tools and processes to make something work. These activities allow you to build and test your design while solidifying your understanding of the concepts. |
Facilitator Resources
The National 4-H Junk Drawer Robotics page has facilitator resources and links to order kits, a sample activity, and more.
Basic Starter Set of Activity Supplies
Tools and Supplies
4-H Robotics Showcase, August 2012
See what 4-H'ers have created through the 4-H Robotics project!
Photographs
