BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Youth from 22 teams across Illinois demonstrated their learning, celebrated their accomplishments, and interacted with others who share an interest in robotics at the 2025 4-H Robotics Competition, AiBot held at the Interstate Center on the McLean County Fairgrounds on May 3.
This year’s robotics challenge—designed by AI itself—celebrates the youth's creativity and ingenuity, testing their skills in AI-powered tasks.
“Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing our world, shaping how we communicate, work, and solve problems,” says University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist Keith Jacobs. “From healthcare innovations to autonomous vehicles, AI represents the cutting edge of technology and this year’s challenge in particular represented a more concise, hands- on experience for our teams.”
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. Teams begin preparing months before the competition.
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 with top honors awarded across Rookie, Level 1, and Level 2 divisions.
In the Rookie Division, B.O.B Brain Over Brawn from Will County took home both the Best Table Run and the Champion title, while Aperture Labs of DuPage County earned the Programming & Teamwork Award and Micebots of Cook County secured the Design Award. The Reserve Champion title went to Marshall Jr. High from Clark County.
In the Level 1 Division, Clover Rovers of Effingham County swept both Best Table Run and Reserve Champion, while LW Robotics Maroon from Woodford County was named Champion.
Level 2 saw ChatGPTeam of Will County dominate with Best Table Run and Champion, followed by Willing Worker Bots of Knox County as Reserve Champion.
Special recognition also went to Mechanical Misfit of Will County for Programming, 4-H SCREAM of Macon County for Teamwork, and Brick Minded Bots of Cook County for Design.
In the Overall awards, Willing Worker Bots of Knox County earned the Team Sprint Award, Marshall Putnam Crane Crew of Clark County was recognized for Most Creative, Brick Minded Bots of Cook County received the Judges Award, and ChatGPTeam of Will county was named the 2025 Overall Grand Champion.
“This was certainly one of the most creative shows of talent I have seen from our youth,” says Jacobs. “The event highlighted not only technical skill, but also the creativity, collaboration, and innovation at the heart of Illinois 4-H.”
Beyond robotics, the event featured an exciting slate of STEM experiences designed to spark curiosity and engagement. Mark Becker of the State 4-H Office led an eSports tournament, while Brian Meadows of the Center for Future Innovators hosted a Sumobot competition. Youth also explored app development in Swift Coding classes taught by Julian Inniss of Knox County, and were transported to the stars through a captivating Star Lab exhibit led by Heather Hoffman from McLean County.
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
For Further Information Contact:
Source:Keith Jacobs, U of I Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist, STEM kjaco4@illinois.edu (217) 300-0496
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, carissa7@illinois.edu
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.