Youth Participate in 9th Annual 4-H Robotics Expo
Machias, Maine — Thirty-two teams and 96 youth demonstrated their knowledge of robotics and public speaking at the 9th Annual 4-H Robotics Expo on March 28 at the University of Maine at Machias (UMM).
The Expo, open to grades 4-8, began with teams practicing their public speaking skills as they shared their projects with judges and the general public. Youth were evaluated on their presentation, display and technical knowledge. This year’s robotics challenge activity, “Capture the Object,” was the first designed, and partly overseen, by a group of youth who aged out this year and returned to mentor the younger participants.
The youth also attended workshops presented by faculty from UMM and the University of Maine. David Sturm from the UMaine Physics Department offered an array of hands-on demonstrations throughout the morning that highlighted a variety of physics concepts.
Jen Lobley, a UMaine Extension Educator in Washington County for 15 years, said 4-H provides informal learning opportunities that allow students to explore science in ways that make sense to them.
“We hope that this event shows youth that science can be fun while providing career aspiration exploration as well,” she said. “The workshops put youth in actual classrooms and labs on campus. They get exposed to science in new ways while interacting with faculty members.”
Approximately one-third of the students indicated the event helped them think about the possibility of attending UMM or another college or university, and over half the Expo participants said they are considering a career in science.
For more information about 4-H, contact the Washington County Extension office, 207.255.3345, 800.287.1542 (in Maine), Maine 4-H.
