Washington County 4-H Robotics Expo Draws 23 Teams
Machias, Maine — Twenty-three teams and 76 youth demonstrated their knowledge of robotics and public speaking at the 8th Annual 4-H Robotics Expo on March 29, at the University of Maine at Machias.
Youth also took part in a challenge activity and attended workshops presented by UMM and University of Maine faculty and staff.
Jen Lobley, Extension educator in Washington County for 14 years, said 4-H provides learning opportunities that teach leadership, citizenship and life skills. “Today’s event did all of that,” she said. “Our youth participants collected over 550 pounds of food to be donated to the Machias Area Food Pantry and they demonstrated a number of life skills, including leadership, teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving and communication.
“Each year the projects grow in complexity, as does the confidence of the youth,” Lobley said. “When we started this event eight years ago, only a handful of kids tried the challenge activity. This year, we had over half our participants sign up for the activity. It builds resiliency, that’s for sure.”
For more information about 4-H and volunteering, contact the Washington County UMaine Extension office, 207.255.3345, 800.287.1542 (in Maine), http://umaine.edu/4h/.
About University of Maine Cooperative Extension: As a trusted resource for almost 100 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension helps support, sustain and grow the food-based economy. It is the only entity in our state that touches every aspect of the Maine Food System, where policy, research, production, processing, commerce, nutrition, and food security and safety are integral and interrelated. UMaine Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H.
