Program Overview

4-H Robotics Project

The 4-H Robotics project provides hands-on experiences in designing, programming, and building robots.

Project Overview

The project includes various curricula, such as:

• Junk Drawer Robotics, which challenges participants to build robots from everyday household items
• Virtual Robotics, which teaches basic science and robotics concepts online through videos, simulations, animations, and more
• Robotics Platforms, which can be used with commercial kits like NXT, TETRIX, CEENBoT, and Vex

Learning Objectives

Participants in the 4-H Robotics project will:

• Develop programming skills to control robots to carry out specific tasks
• Develop skills in the design process to solve design challenges
• Develop and practice engineering skills while working with robots
• Increase understanding of mechanics and the underlying physics
• Develop a new design, new application, and innovative uses for robots

Project Levels

The project is divided into three levels:

Starting Out (Basic/Level 1)

• Complete a building challenge that involves manufacturing processes and design shapes
• Plan, design, and build a catapult
• Design, draw, and build a robot arm
• Design and add a power source to a robotic arm
• Design and build a gripper for a robotic arm
• Build a robot from everyday items

Learning More (Intermediate/Level 2)

• Compare and select materials based on how they affect sliding and rolling friction
• Design a vehicle that will roll easily and overcome friction
• Demonstrate an understanding of electrical circuits
• Design plans for and build a simple electrical motor-operated robot
• Design and construct a rover (ROV)

Expanding Horizons (Advanced/Level 3)

• Build simple operating electrical circuits
• Plan, design, create, and share what you learn about DPDT switches
• Understand how a robot uses a visual sensor
• Build a robot that can sense and follow along walls or objects
• Learn to read and write a number in binary
• Describe and compare analog and digital

Opportunities to Explore

Participants are encouraged to:

• Talk to companies that use robotics to learn about projects and real-world applications
• Seek out robotics competitions for youth to set goals and have fun
• Explore career opportunities in robotics, such as visiting North Dakota State University to learn about industrial and manufacturing engineering

Exhibit Ideas

Participants can:

• Build a robot to do a simple task
• Create a poster/display showing examples of robots in everyday life
• Research and display how companies use robots
• Use recycled materials to make a robot
• Develop a display that describes a robotic solution to a problem

Share with Others

Participants can:

• Demonstrate how to make a simple robot
• Hold a workshop to teach others how to build a robot
• Develop a presentation to describe how robots can help people, businesses, or schools

Citizenship

Participants can:

• Bring robots to an elderly care center and show residents how to make them work
• Hold a workshop to teach their club about where robots are used
• Build a robot to pick up trash

Leadership

Participants can:

• Visit a business that uses robots
• Show club members how to build their own robot
• Get involved in a local inventors group

Entrepreneurship

Participants can:

• Identify a need, design a robot to solve the problem, and produce and market the idea
• Consider how to improve an existing item

Resources

Available resources include:

• National 4-H Robotics Curriculum (Junk, Virtual, & Platform)
• 2012 National Youth Science Day Experiment: 4-H Ecobot Challenge
• Educational Trunks (LEGO NXT Robotics, LEGO WeDo Robotics, LEGO Crazy Action Contraption)
• OHIO NXT Curriculum (order through the county extension office)
• Robotics 1: Nest Technology
• Robotics 2: Next Steps

Recordkeeping

Participants can use the following recordkeeping tools:

• Planning for My Project Adventure (PA093)
• ND 4-H Project Plan (PA095)
• ND 4-H Plan of Action (PA096)
• ND 4-H Participation Summary for 11-to 19-year-olds (PA098)