Expansion, Enrichment, Endurance:Your Year Round Robotics Program‐

Module 9

4 H and Robotics ‐What’s the Connection?

Horses, Fishing, Sewing, Photography, Pets, Foods…..

4 H and Robotics‐What’s the Connection?

• How does 4 H fit robotics and technology?‐

• How does robotics fit within the structure and mission of 4 H?‐

• How will you tie 4 H and Robotics together?‐

How does 4 H fit robotics and technology?‐

• Delivery systems and emphasis on experiential learning

• Life skills are developed

• Science, engineering, and technology are important fields for youth to explore

How does robotics fit within the structure and mission of 4 H?‐

• Teamwork and sense of accomplishment.

• Competitive opportunities have similar goals, rewarding and regarding teamwork and achievement.

• Encouragement of lifelong interest and achievement in science and engineering

How will you tie 4 H and Robotics ‐together?

• Emphasizing ‘teachable moments’

• Bringing robotics into the ‘traditional’ 4 H ‐experience

4 H and Robotics‐What’s the Connection?

• Customize robotics experience

• Create 4-H opportunities which can be used as outlets for robotics projects.

4 H and Robotics‐What’s the Connection?

• Get them Interested!

• How can we expose youth and families to the program, catch their interest, and encourage them to take part in programs?

Participation Progression

Items to Consider

• What activities can you plan that will expose youth and families to your robotics program?

• What do you most want them to learn during that first experience?

• What activity can you plan that will catch the interest of youth and families, and make them want to become a part of your program?

Items to Consider

• What will they learn about 4 H and robotics ‐that will spark their interest?

• How can you encourage youth and families to become invested in your program?

• What do they need to know about 4 H to ‐make it part of their family?

Imagine Expansion

• There are many different delivery modes available to expand a young person’s participation in the program.

camps

after school

workshops

military

Scenario 1

• You visit an after school program to conduct a two hour robotics workshop. Some of the students show a great interest in robotics.

• How can you encourage them to find out more about 4 H?‐

Scenario 2

• Your county 4 H summer camp asks you to ‐present a 2 day “educational” session involving robots. The campers love playing with the WeDos, but many of them are not 4‐H members.

• How can you reach their families with more information?

Scenario 3

• You take your robotics kits to a military base to run a program for young people in an Army 4‐H club. The youth don’t meet on a regular schedule, but show interest in pursuing 4 H ‐Science projects.

• How do you help them make the transition to your new club off post?‐

Reflection

• What was challenging about this activity?• Which ideas or techniques were familiar to you?

Which were new?• Can you share a similar scenario that takes place in

your program/community?• How will you plan for those situations as a result of

this activity?• Do you need any more information or resources to

help you engage youth in your program?• Is there any other assistance I can provide to help you?

Retaining and Planning

How do I keep youth interested, engaged, and learning meeting after meeting and program after program?

Retaining and Planning

• Expanding lessons for each platform can offer limitless possibilities for building and programming.

• Additional ideas and resources for expanding lessons are already available through many websites.

FIRST

• FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology.”

• FIRST offers a series of competitive experiences for several ages groups and encourages a learning process that meshes well with the 4 H mission.‐

• www.usfirst.org

FIRST

• FIRST and 4 H are partners, not competitors‐• Young people can participate in both activities• FIRST and 4 H robotics programs are about ‐

positive youth development and encouraging young people to embrace and explore science, engineering, and technology.

Action Plan Update

• What goals do you have for your program?

• How do you want your program to grow or change?

• What change do you want to see in the youth who take part in your program?

• What will you do to make that change?

Action Plan

• This Action Plan encourages you to think big, but also to plan the concrete steps needed to reach each goal.

Closing and Questions

• Understand how 4-H and Robotics interact and complement each other.

• Learned about the options available to help you provide engaging programs to your robotics clubs.

• Learned ways to encourage and excite members.

• Learned about opportunities offered through FIRST.