Top 10 Reasons to Get
Started with 4-H
Robotics
Presenter
Ann Sherrard: anns@umd.edu
Objectives for this Webinar
By the end of this session you will be able to:
• List advantages to including 4-H Robotics
in your programming
• View a variety of robotics activities and
platforms
• Learn how Robotics incorporates the 4-H
Essential Elements
• Review robotics resources for future use
Get Started with 4-H Robotics!
Top Ten Reasons
You Will Love Robotics
Reason 10
When was the last time you had an open
house that had families waiting in line out
the door?
Reason 9
What better way to get a rocket
scientist for a volunteer?
Reason 8
Decision makers will take notice
Reason 7
Science, engineering, technology,
and math become fun
Reason 6
You don’t even need to live on a
farm
Reason 5
High-tech teen leadership opportunities
Reason 4
Workforce readiness; scientists
wanted
Reason 3
Funders will be knocking on your
door
Reason 2
Reenergize yourself with fun new ideas
Reason 1
Kids learn a lot and love doing it!
www.4-h.org/resource-library/curriculum/4-h-robotics/facilitator-resources
• A ready made curriculum
makes it easy to engage
volunteers as teachers.
• Internet resources are
abundant.
• What resources do you have to assist
you in acquiring the needed
equipment?
• Offers a unique opportunity for
community involvement through
donations.
• Identified need is specific.
• Where and how will you store
equipment?
• Great way to engage your local
elected officials and members
in your community.
• Look for unused or underused
spaces.
• Donors
• Robotics is a “hot topic” area in
STEM that funders are looking
for, plus its “cool”
• Fundraising
• Robotics classes
• Robotic attractions
Robotics Action Plan
LEGO WeDo Platform
• Excellent starting
kit for beginners
in robotics
$130 per kit,
includes basic
software
• Very portable,
take and use with
all ages, but we
recommend ages
5-11, perfect for
clovers
Activity Pack
Curriculum
plus additional
software $55
UM College Park • UM Eastern Shore
Each individual kit has
plans for 12 different LEGO
creations.
More building resources
are available through
LEGO.
UM College Park • UM Eastern Shore
Great
introduction
to icon
programming
with friendly
step-by-step
directions on
the screen.
Task pallet
UM College Park • UM Eastern Shore
LEGO EV3 Mindstorms
• Excellent next step after the WeDos to
extend robotic skills
• Opportunities with a variety of web
based building projects online
• Related science & technology
curriculum available
• A Mindstorms Education EV3 Set Pack
• (with software) $350
UM College Park • UM Eastern Shore
UM College Park • UM Eastern Shore
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) with EV3’s
• Robot and different attachments built from the EV3 Mindstorms
kit to perform various missions on a 4’ x 8’ playing field
• New game released in
September with qualifying
and state events
• For ages 9-14, maximum of
10 youth per FIRST
registered team
• Youth build professional
real-world mentor
relationships
UM College Park • UM Eastern Shore
SuGo Battling Robots Activity
SuGo Science Topic
4-H Essential Elements
Belonging
Equal partnership
with mentors &
coaches
Mentors and coaches
Supporting parents and
volunteers
Inclusive environment
for diverse membership
Belonging
Inclusive
environment for
diverse
membership and
diverse talents
Mentors and coaches
Supporting parents and
volunteers
Inclusive environment
for diverse membership
Mastery
Learning
new skills
Mastery
Challenging
subject matter
Challenging
subject matter
Independence
Increased
challenges and
skill building
Exposure to new career
possibilities
Increased challenges and
skill building
Independence
Exposure to new
career possibilities
Generosity

Service learning
opportunities
in robotics
GENEROSITY
Service learning in robotics
Generosity
Service learning
opportunities
in robotics
Gracious
professionalism
Generosity
• Service
Learning
4-H and Robotics
Incorporates the 4-H
hands-on model
Youth and volunteers are
attracted
Provides popular STEM
education activities
Opportunities for
competition and teen
leadership
Future Webinars
• April – Overview of available platforms
• June - SuGO
• August – WeDo
• October - 4-H Robotics Challenge
• December – Soccer Robotics Challenge
Ann Sherrard
anns@umd.edu
Questions?