Photo: L-R, Marhall-Putnam Senior Team: Gwen Heeley, Samantha Nauman, Lillian Lindstrom, Waylon Lindstrom, Daphne Heeley, Caleb Wiesbrock, Logan Siegmann, and Cooper Hattan.

Youth from 30 teams across Illinois demonstrated their learning, celebrated their accomplishments, and interacted with others who share an interest in robotics at the 4-H Hyrdobot Robotics Competition held at the Interstate Center on the McLean County Fairgrounds on May 13.

The competition theme this year tasked youth with adopting a conservationist mindset as part of the competition.

“This generation of minds will be charged with saving our oceans and making the planet a cleaner, healthier place,” said University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist Keith Jacobs. “And this year’s competition will put youth in the mindset of conservationists and oceanographers as they build an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle.”

Illinois youth ages 8-18 competed in teams of three to ten youth at two levels of competition. Teams competing at the Rookie level had never competed in a 4-H, FLL/FTC/FRC competition. Those competing in the Advanced level had previously competed in those types of competitions.

Competition judges were on hand to score events and determine the competition category winners. Teams were evaluated on Table Performance Judging, Technical Judging, and Teamwork Judging

 “This competition is perfect for different skill levels as the expectation is that teams design a robot and program that reflects their current level of learning,” says Jacobs. “The challenge is designed to be open-ended and includes a lot of room for creativity, which the judges love to see.”

Marshall-Putnam 4-H had two teams compete; a rookie team and a level 2 team. The rookie team fell a little short of earning an award, but gained a lot of experience. The Level 2 team brought home the following:

Most Creative

Level 2: Marshal-Putnam 4-H Robotics Senior

Champion Team Overall 

Level 2: Marshal-Putnam 4-H Robotics Senior
 

If you’re interested in learning more about robotics in Marshall and Putnam counties, contact Aaron Lindstrom at alind83@illinois.edu

About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.