4-H Robotics at Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter

Utah 4-H supports several robotics clubs at Swaner Preserve and Ecocenter. Robotics clubs provide a wonderful opportunity for youth to develop new skills, learn to work as a team, meet new people, and have fun. Members of robotics clubs learn computer programmig and engineering principals as they design, build, and program a robot. Through this process youth will develop problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills and apply those skills to real-world problems. 4-H robotics clubs can participate in state-wide FIRST robotics competitions, such as FIRST LEGO League (FLL, for youth aged 9-14) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC, for youth aged 12-18). However, 4-H robotics clubs can also just meet regularly to explore the field of robotics without the pressure of competitions.

Timeline

Teams competing in FLL

May - August: Register

May - September: Start meeting as a team if you want to work on teamwork skills, learn about the FLL challenge topic, and learn the basics of robotics. 4-H will provide a basic coach's training on 4-H, programming, building, etc.

August: Coach's Training at University of Utah

September: FLL challenge announced

September - January: Meet as a team to work towards competing in the FLL challenge

January: FLL qualifying and state tournaments

April: FLL national tournament

Teams Competing in FTC

May - August: Register

May - September: Start meeting as a team if you want to work on teamwork skills, learn about the FTC challenge topic, and learn the basics of robotics. 4-H will provide a basic coach's training on 4-H, programming, building, etc.

September: FTC challenge announced

September - March: Meet as a team to work towards competing in the FTC challenge

March: FTC state tournament

April: FTC national tournament

Teams not Competing in FLL or FTC

May - August: Register

May - September: Once you are a registered 4-H Robotics Club you can begin meeting however frequently you would like. Clubs may choose to meet once a week for a few months, once a month for the entire year, etc. 4-H will provide a basic coach's training on 4-H, programming, building, etc.

September, October, November, December: 4-H will host monthly challenge nights in which any member of a 4-H Robotics Club can participate.

Benefits of Being a 4-H Robotics Club:

There are many benefits to forming a 4-H robotics club at Swaner:

• Have access to resources including robotics curriculum and mentors/speakers for various topics related to robotics and teamwork
• Leaders' training workshops
• Opportunities for your club to conduct community service and fundraising projects through 4-H and Swaner
• Use of a FLL or FTC practice table/rink - meaning you would not have to buy, build, and store a rink/table of your own
• Organized club workshops, scrimmages, practice sessions, and build days at Swaner. This provides your club with chances to practice before an FLL or FTC competition and learn from other clubs. 4-H will also provide several challenge nights for all teams that do not participate in the FLL or FTC competitions.
• Financial support for some club costs - such as team registration for FLL or FTC - funding available for the first 4 teams that register
• Use of materials and equipment, such as robotics kits, programming software, and laptop computers - available for the first 4 teams that register

Each 4-H Robotics Club will have to supply the following items on their own*:

• At least two adult, volunteer leaders - no robotics experience is necessary to be a leader. We can provide you with training and serve as a resource for you as a leader.
• Location for meetings
• Utah Qualifying Tournament Fee ($75 for FLL competition)
• Utah State Tournmane Fee if you Qualify ($100 for FLL competition)
• Extra parts if needed
• Travel costs associated with tournaments or practices
• Team shirts if you choose to have them
• Snacks for each meeting if you choose to have them - a good idea is to rotate snack duty among team members
• A game table if you want one of your own ($75 for an FLL competition table, must build on your own)
• A competition game kit if you want one of your own ($75 for an FLL competition kit)
• Any extra costs associated with club functions
• If you are not one of the first 4 teams to register as a 4-H club, you will need to supply your own FLL registration fee ($225), robot kits ($480-635 depending on kit), laptop, and software ($80)

Clubs must consist of at least two adult leaders and 3-8 youth members.

*Per-member club fees can be charged to help cover the costs of the items that each club must provide for itself.

To register as a 4-H Robotics Club, to volunteer to be a 4-H Robotics Club leader or mentor, or to inquire about your child's participation in the 4-H Robotics Program at Swaner contact:

Sally Upton at 435-797-8938 or sally.upton@usu.edu.