Please mark it as "SRL #1143 - Science", and also put the completed cover sheet on top of the stack in the box. If you are sending campus mail, the M/C is 336.

Champion Senior Division - RoboStorms High School (Macon County) ($500 FIRST Scholarship)

Champion Junior Division - Power Surge (McLean County) ($350 FIRST scholarship)

Champion Junior Rookie Division - Thundercloud (Kane County) ($350 FIRST scholarship)

Most Creative Award - RoboStorms (Macon County)

Engineering Design Award - Insert Your Humorous Slogan Here (Macon County)

Teamwork Award - Robotic Rovers Junior 3 (McHenry County)

Judges Award - Monroe County Robotics Senior (Monroe County)

2013 Illinois 4-H State Robotics Competition

The coach and team packet and judging scoresheets have been added to the 2013 Illinois 4-H State Robotics Competition Challenge page.

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/events/4hroboticschallenge2013.cfm

Anyone who would like to volunteer at the event as either a general event volunteer or as a judge should contact Bob Smith rasmth@illinois.edu.

2013 Illinois 4-H State Robotics Competition

A Frequently asked question link has been added to the 2013 Illinois 4-H State Robotics Competition Challenge page.

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/events/4hroboticschallenge2013.cfm

FAQ is here https://uofi.box.com/s/1edm5ixap1fr2q2xybmg

Defective LEGO Mindstorms NXT Intelligent Bricks

For counties and clubs that have LEGO Mindstorms NXT Intelligent bricks which appear to be broken, the bricks can often be fixed easily and at no cost.

Two situations arise with Mindstorms NXT Intelligent bricks that can make them appear to be broken. One type of failure is either a completely blank screen or, more typically, a set of flickering lines on the screen. Otherwise the brick is functional and plays the power on sound and clicks when buttons are pressed. This condition is a known defect that occurred with some LEGO Mindstorms NXT kits that were shipped 5-6 years ago. To have the bricks replaced free of charge, simply call Lego Education Tech support at 877 680 2800 and describe the condition. You will then be instructed to ship the brick to Lego Education in Pittsburg, Kansas and a brand new brick will be returned within 2 weeks.

The second condition is one where the screen is completely blank but the brick "clicks" about once per second. To correct this problem:

1. Start the NXT programming software
2. Power on the Intelligent brick and connect the brick to the computer with the USB cable
3. Click on "Tools", "Update NXT Firmware"
4. A Popup window should appear.
5. There will most likely be just one Firmware file listed in the scroll box, LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Firmware V1.26 (it could be a different number)
6. Choose the file then click "Download"
7. Messages should appear, "Locating NXT", "Preparing NXT", and "Downloading".
8. When Downloading is complete, the NXT brick should restart and run as normal.

A few resources for anyone working with a SPIN club that is interested in doing community mapping, geocaching or other activities related geographic information systems (GIS) and/or geographic positioning systems (GPS) units...

1. Illinois 4-H MapMaker Website http://web.extension.illinois.edu/4hmapmakers/

Downloadable lesson plans, links to resources, examples of youth-created map projects and more!

2. A listserv for 4-H staff and volunteers to share questions and resources: 4HGISGPS@LISTS.UMN.EDU

3. Recommendations for purchasing GPS units (based on input from above listserv discussion):

The legends are still the recreational GPS unit that all new ones are measured against. They have the WAAS correction available and get the 20 feet accuracies that fit most of our needs. They do have issues in "heavy cover" situations, like deep woods, canyons and similar situations. New models add a new software package (high sensitivity) and more efficient antennae that gives us better reception in that "deep cover", but still have the 20 feet accuracies in all open sky use.

The newer models that use the high sensitivity system are models like the Garmin eTrex Venture HC and Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. They are both old tech, too. They have been replaced by the new eTrex 10, 20 or 30 and the GPSMAP 62 series. Some of these units use both the US GPS satellites and the Russian GPS satellites, which gives them another little bump in accuracy in "heavy cover" locations. They still get the standard 20 feet accuracy in open sky locations.

Which should you buy? Since the accuracy does not get any better with the recreational grade GPS units as the price goes up, lower end units are completely accurate. The eTrex models are generally $150 to $200 less than the GPSMAP models with the same basic features. They will make maps that are identical, within the 20 feet accuracies. Not until you get into the survey grade GPS units that have costs of thousands of dollars, do you get better accuracies. Most of our mapping has us locating buildings or similar structures. The accuracy of the recreation GPS unit is completely adequate for mapping those sites. Geocachers hide and find cache containers the size of thimbles with recreational GPS units.

Do a good job of shopping for these units. You will be able to save 30% or more off of the MSRP. Review the features of each of the models on www.garmin.com to help you make a decision.

National 4-H Council and the Noyce Foundation hosted a ground-breaking meeting of America's largest youth development organizations at National 4-H Youth Conference Center on February 7. The focus of the executive roundtable meeting was on the important topic of out-of-school time Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

CEOs, senior leaders and youth representatives from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts and YMCA -- together with 4-H Headquarters, Cooperative Extension and National 4-H Council – met with corporate and research partners to share information, learn from each other and collaborate on ways to work together on the future development of impactful STEM learning.

During the meeting, 4-H unveiled a comprehensive report, 4-H Science Initiative from Inception to Impact, which reviews the multi-year impact of the 4-H efforts, lessons learned and ideas for developing more promising programs in the future. To download a copy of the full report, go to http://www.4-h.org/youthstem/

You can also follow developments in this cross-agency collaboration on the 4-H Twitter site with #youthSTEM.

4-H Professionals,

Please join us to participate in an interactive, online training opportunity to learn how to train volunteers and community partners in 4-H Science programs. 4-H National Science e-Academy Educational Highlights include:

• Participants will come away with the knowledge they need to train volunteers and community partners in 4-H Science programs.
• Subject matter experts, from across the country, will lead you through more than 22 hours of interactive learning sessions.
• Educators from within 4-H Science will make themselves available to answer questions and share their valuable experience and expertise.

We can promise that this virtual learning conference is unlike any other online learning opportunity that you have participated in previously. Please watch a short video Orientation of the E-Academy to learn more about this professional development opportunity.

Visit the E-Academy web page on 4-H.org for more information and to register for this training.

An overview of the sessions are as follows:

Day 1 (Feb 26): 4-H Science 101: 4-H science resource exploration, self-assessment and the tie in to high quality positive youth development

Day 2 (Feb. 28): Working with volunteers for 4-H science programs

Day 3 (Mar. 5): Working with limited resource and multicultural audiences in 4-H science programs

Day 4 (Mar. 7): Inquiry-based learning and Next Generation Science Standards

Day 5 (Mar. 12): 4-H Science evaluation and fund development

Day 6 (Mar. 14): An in depth look at some of our organizations' best practices and developing individual implementation plans

Once you register also be a on the lookout for weekly emails leading up to the conference announcing the 4-H Science Multi-Media Challenge, the opportunity to share your best practices and programs in a Virtual Poster Session, and an opportunity to win prizes!

InvenTeams - Introducing Students to the World of Invention

The InvenTeam initiative, created by the Lemelson-MIT Program, offers an unparalleled opportunity for high school age youth to cultivate their creativity and experience invention. InvenTeams are teams of high school youth/students, teachers, and mentors that receive grants up to $10,000 each to invent technological solutions to real-world problems. Each InvenTeam chooses its own problem to solve.

In 2012 the Essex and Clinton County's NY Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) group received an InvenTeam grant for their invention idea to develop small pre-filters to improve the operation of bio-sand filters to provide clean water to households in developing countries (learn more here). They are the first 4-H club to receive an InvenTeam grant.

You can visit the InvenTeams web site (http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/) to learn more about the InvenTeams program and how to apply. 4-H and Lemelson-MIT are working on resources to support and promote youth invention. We hope to see more 4-H clubs participate in InvenTeams. Applications must be completed online. The deadline date is April 5, 2013.

Just a reminder that there are some great resources online related to the 4-H robotics curriculum.

Online facilitator resources and professional development modules can be found at: http://www.4-h.org/resource-library/curriculum/4-h-robotics/facilitator-resources/professional-development/#Expand3

For example, there is a professional development module on Community Resource Cultivation: Participants develop strategies for building community support and continue to develop the action plan started; this includes strategies and templates for recruiting, funding and marketing a robotics program.

National 4-H Council has invested significant resources into an evaluation of the 4-H Science (SET) mission mandate.

Evaluation has included:
1) A national youth survey (YEAK - Youth Engagement, Attitudes and Knowledge)
2) An implementation study based on state leader and educator interviews; examines the process and content features of successful science programs
3) A national enrollment survey; includes # and type of science programs, enrollment figures, etc.
4) A case study report of eight promising 4-H science programs; includes insight into strategies for overcoming challenges identified in the national implementation study

These resources have been posted to the portal under:
4-H Contacts / Evaluation / Science Study / National 4-H Science Evaluation

You can also locate these materials at: http://www.4-h.org/about/youth-development-research/science-program-research/

Nearly 60 llinois 4-H staff attended the 2012 NC Region Science Academy in St. Louis. An exciting followup to this professional development opportunity is being offered as the 2013 4-H Science E-Academy.

Over 12 interactive, online sessions will be offered over three weeks. All staff involved in supporting 4-H science volunteers are encouraged to participate. "Master" volunteers who play a role in supporting and/or training other volunteers are also invited to participate. Sessions will be accessed online. Each participant is encouraged to be at their own computer. More information on the session topics will be provided soon.

SAVE THE DATES!!!!

February 26 & 28

March 5 & 7

March 12 & 14

Daily Schedule: (Central Standard Time)
Plenary Session - 11:00-11:45
First Interactive Session - 12:00-1:30
Second Session - 2:00 - 3:30
Coffee House - 3:45 - 4:15

Here are some links of resources that might be helpful in your 4-H Science Programming

Generation STEM Report www.girlscounts.org/research

Graphical representation of above report on "What Girls Say about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math http://www.transportationyou.org/wp-content/uploads/InfoGraphic-STEM-report.pdf

NIU STEMFest 2012, Saturday, October 20 from 10am to 5pm (free event with many hands-on activities, challenges and demostrations) http://stemfest.niu.edu/stemfest/

6^th Annual Conference for Promoting STEM: Recruiting and Retaining Underrepresented Students in STEM, October 26, 8:30am – 5:00pm, Oakton Community College, www.oakton.edu/cp-stem

Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (2010), AAUW Report http://www.aauw.org/learn/research/whysofew.cfm

Illinois Girls Collaborative Project (mini-grants for engaging girls in STEM) Due: October 31,2012 http://www.ngcproject.org/mini-grants

Design Squad Nation (videos, downloadable inquiry activities, career exploration tools, animations, challenges and more) A great resource for 4-H science camps, science excited activities, SPIN clubs and more. http://pbskids.org/designsquad/ (be sure to click the "parents and educators" button for more resources)

The Year 1 Camp curriculum is now available as a downloadable, off-line Adobe Air "app." The app will run on Windows and Mac operating systems.

Download the GEAR-Tech-21 Year 1 Camp Curriculum app: http://4hset.unl.edu/GT21/

A current version of Adobe Air is required to run the GEAR-Tech-21 app. If you need Adobe Air, it is available as a free download here: http://get.adobe.com/air/

The app is FREE and will continue to be free throughout the duration of the GEAR-Tech-21 NSF grant period.

For more information, contact Kathy Morgan, kmorgan3@unl.edu, 402-472-5027

Webinar provided by National 4-H Council
Wednesday, July 18th
Topic: Implementing Junk Drawer Robotics Curriculum

Please share with current and potential robotics leaders! This is a great way to get introduced to this new curriculum. It is designed for group learning and is great for camps, workshops and SPIN club activities. It can also be adapted for individual member use and is a low cost way to get involved in robotics. No kits required; just inexpensive and everyday items.

To learn more and to register, follow this link:

http://www.4-h.org/Templates/professional-development.aspx?id=59999&dt=7/18/2012

I am excited to announce that this year's NYSD challenge is called "Eco-Bot" and involves the design of simple "bristle bots". The learning guide includes activities in which young people design different barriers (e.g. paper cups, string, etc.) to keep the bristle bot within an area of an environmental oil spill. http://www.4-h.org/4-h-national-youth-science-day/ This activity is accessible to all ages and engages interests in robotics, stewardship of the environment, and science inquiry more broadly.

Due to generous support from Caterpillar, we have funding to purchase up to 2 kits/county.

We are asking that educators meet with their unit 4-H staff to decide how many kits you would like to request and start thinking about how you might use these. Some ideas might include:

• A booth at an event already planned for the fall
• A booth in a local business or museum where there is a lot of foot traffic
• A specific NYSD event at your county office, partner school or other youth organization
• A recruitment activity for a new robotics SPIN club
• A leadership opportunity for an existing robotics SPIN club
• Involve 4-H federation youth, members of an existing robotics SPIN club, or members enrolled in environmental/natural resources to help do the NYSD activity with younger youth

The kit order form has been posted to the portal under: 4-H Contacts/ScienceExcited/2012 NYSD Kit Order Form. We are asking each educator to complete the attached form by July 20^, 2012 and send by fax/mail/scanned email to Dorothy Horsch at dhorsch@illinois.edu in the State 4-H Office.

If you have any questions or want to brainstorm ideas, please let me know!

Lisa (lbdiaz@illinois.edu)

We hope that many of your 4-H members are excited about the opportunity to share what they've learned in their project(s) by creating a short video for State Fair Online. Submissions are accepted until August 1st and winners will be announced at the Aug. 11th 4-H Family Event at State Fair in Springfield.

All the details for this year can be found at:
https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/4hstatefaironline/index.cfm

Please share this website with your members and remind them about this exciting opportunity! Multiple $10, $25 and $50 gift certificates will be awarded to top-scoring entries.

For questions, please contact Lisa Diaz (lbdiaz@illinois.edu)

Responses to the 4-H Career Development Survey have been coming in from 12th grade 4-H members from across Illinois and the data is starting to be compiled by the Survey Research Lab. Your support of the data collection process is greatly appreciated. Dan Horn has posted several new items to the portal to assist you in sending email reminders to non-respondents. Items needed to complete the next steps include: 1) Reminder Letter for Survey (includes content for the email reminder); 2) Instructions to Generate Reminder Emails for Survey; 3) Spreadsheet containing Completed Codes as of 5-23-2012; and 4) Instructions for Creating Spreadsheet. The Career Development Study Task List identifies target dates for sending email reminders as May 24-June 2, with the optimal response rate being for email surveys sent on a Monday, Thursday, or Friday.

If you need technical assistance, please contact Dan Horn, dchorn@illinois.edu; or call 217-333-0826. All of the information associated with the 4-H Impact Studies are posted on the Portal; 4-H Contacts; Evaluation.

Career Development Study – The Email invitation is now ready to send to 12^th grade 4-H members in your unit. The target dates for sending the email invitation are May 3-12, with the optimal response rate being for email surveys sent on a Monday, Thursday, or Friday. Dan Horn has posted several items to the portal to assist you with this process including: 1) Instructions for Creating a Spreadsheet for Career Study through DMS which helps you obtain contact information for 12^th grade 4-H Members (creates an Excel spreadsheet with member's name and email); 2) Instructions for Generating Emails for Career Development Survey (initiates sending customized emails to all 12-grade members simultaneously); 3) Codes for Surveys (Unique codes assigned to your Unit); and 4) the 2012 Evaluation of 4-H Programs in Illinois – Survey Invitation Email: 4-H Career Development which is the IRB approved document text to send to the 12^th grade 4-H members.

If you need technical assistance, please contact Dan Horn, dchorn@illinois.edu, or call 217-333-0826. If you have questions regarding who should receive the survey, when to send the initial invite, and later follow-up, or other research procedures, please contact Denise Legvold, dlegvold@illinois.edu, or call 217-333-0910. If email or internet access is not available, paper-copies of the invitation can be sent, but NOT paper-copies of the survey itself. Additional information related to the email reminder for non-respondents will be posted to the portal mid-May. Please refer to the Career Development Study Task List for a complete listing of the steps to follow for survey distribution. We look forward to using data collected from this survey to understand how 4-H influences the post-secondary decisions of 4-H members.

4-H Club Experience Study – Many of you have been successful in completing club visits and administering the 4-H Club Experience surveys in your Unit. Please refer to the 4-H Club Experience Study Task List as you move through the process if you have questions OR contact Pat McGlaughlin, patm@illinois.edu; or call 217-333-0913. Important steps to remember: 1) Keep the surveys for each club in a separate envelop with a cover sheet (template posted on the portal); 2) Mail packets of completed surveys to the Survey Research Lab at the address provided on the Task List; and 3) Email a copy of the completed Random Sample Spreadsheet to Pat McGlaughlin when all data collection is complete in your Unit.

4-H Science Study –Remember to identify 4-H science clubs, programs and events in your unit to target for the 4-H Science Survey. Even though the completed surveys are not due until September 1^st, it is important to schedule appointments to administer the surveys when the clubs or groups are meeting, and when the science focused events are scheduled. If you have any questions related to the 4-H Science Study, please contact Lisa Diaz, lbdiaz@illinois.edu; or call 217-333-0910.

Thank you for your assistance in this data collection process!

Registrations continue to be accepted for the 2012 Illini Summer Academies through the May23rd final deadline. Here is an update on a few items you need to be aware of!

* The Physics Department has lowered their grade requirement for the Physics Academy. They will now accept youth who have completed their SOPHOMORE year in high school (previously it was set at the Junior year). This has been changed on the ISA website information, but obviously we cannot change the brochures that have been printed and distributed. If you could update your own information and/our send out a post on your local websites, we would greatly appreciate it!

* The Electrical & Computer Engineering Academy is FULL and we are taking names for a waiting list. The Bioengineering Academy would offer another look into possible careers in the ECE area - please promote that Academy as a potential option. It currently has 7 openings left. Veterinary Medicine currently has 9 openings left.

* Requests for 4-H Scholarships must be filed by May 1; we still have 11, $50 scholarships remaining for 1st time attendees.

* We are in need of Adult Assistance at this event -- PLEASE continue to recruit chaperones (or consider attending yourself). We are trying to recruit summer college students as well, but have not had any success at this point. If you have multiple youth attending from your county/unit, we ask that you work on recruiting at least one adult to attend. As you know on the county level - events do not happen by themselves! :-) We need your assistance to help make this event happen!

Thank you for your continued support of this statewide event focusing on workforce preparation in science & technology areas for youth!

The network of robotics leaders/coaches/mentors is growing. Only a small percentage of these volunteers are engineers by trade. The others come from diverse backgrounds and bring expertise in problem solving, teamwork, communication, project management, design, etc.

The following resources have been developed to help this group of leaders use each other as a resource, and to better promote the successes of our 4-H clubs/teams:

Facebook Group Page: Illinois 4-H Robotics (anyone can request membership). Members invited to post questions, successes, videos, photos, etc.

Google Group: Illinois 4-H Robotics (anyone can request membership but primarily designed for club leaders). To join, please send email addresses to lbdiaz@illinois.edu The googlegroup includes a listserv that we can use to post and respond to leader questions.

All of the adult leaders who brought a team to the 4th annual state competition have been added to the google group. But please help share these resources with your other 4-H robotics volunteers as well!

Congratulations to all the teams for demonstrating 4-H mastery and excellence!

Award Winners for 2012:

Top scoring senior team: Got Robot (Kane County) ($500 FIRST scholarship)
Top scoring junior team: Brimfield HUB (Peoria County) ($350 FIRST scholarship)
Top scoring rookie junior team: L-Cubed (Macon County) ($350 FIRST scholarship)
Rookie Team Award: Crunchy Froggers (Kane County)
Best Teamwork Award - Sr Team: 4-H RoboStorms High School (Macon County)
Best Teamwork Award - Jr Team: SPN/Team Nova (Cook County)
Judge's Choice Award: 9-Volt Junkers (Kane County)

Under the direction of 4-H YD Educators each county is engaged in collecting data this spring and summer in preparation for fall reports. Please review carefully the Task List for each study that has been posted to the Portal under Evaluation. Note the tasks that can be completed now while we wait for IRB approval. DO NOT communicate details of the study to 4-H members until after we have IRB approval. It is critical that appropriate research methods are used in collecting and handling data. Look to your 4-H YD Educator for guidance.

Educators – task lists, overview slides, team meeting recordings, sample impact documents, and supporting research references have been posted for your use as you plan with Unit staff.

Thank you everyone for your assistance. This is an exciting statewide endeavor that will benefit everyone as we strive to tell our impact story locally and statewide.

Keep an eye on the 4-H Council Professional Development Calendar for upcoming webinars on a wide range of topics: http://www.4-h.org/professional-calendar/ If you aren't able to attend at the scheduled time, archives of the webinars can be accessed on the 4-H Council website as well.


See the following topics related to robotics:

Recruiting Volunteers and Community Partners 4/3/12 2:00-3:15

4-H Robotic$!4/18/12 2:00-3:15

WeDoRobots, What are they and what can 4-H do with them 5/2/12 2:00-3:15

Introduction to Robotic Opportunities for 4-H Programs 5/23/12 2:00-3:15

All About FIRST Competitions 5/30/12 2:00-3:15

4-HMindstormNXTRobots 6/20/12 2:00-3:15

4-H Junk Drawer Robotics7/18/12 2:00-3:15

Implementing the 4-H Robotics Platforms 8/15/12 2:00-3:15

Robotic Opportunities for 4-H Programs 9/5/12 2:00-3:15

4-H Robotics Programming– All Year! Every Year!9/12/12 2:00-3:15

Planning Robotics Trainings and Professional Development11/14/12 2:00-3:15

Robotics Summer Camps – making it happen 12/12/12 2:00-3:15

Staff have started requesting an overview of State Fair Online that they can include in their county fairbooks. The following can be used for this purpose, and also shared on your website or other communication with 4-H families. If you have any questions, please let me know! - Lisa

_______

2^nd Annual 4-H State Fair Online

An additional state-level judging opportunity and chance to share what you've learned in 4-H with the broader public!!!

• Contribute to a collection of videos and maps on the internet that show the broader public what 4-H youth are learning and doing in their communities
• Practice your technology skills and prepare to participate in a tech-infused workplace
• Qualify for exciting prizes! All participants will receive ribbons, as well as feedback and recognition on the 4-H State Fair Online website.

Who: Open to all Illinois 4-H members who meet state fair age requirements (at least 10 years of age by September 1, 2011). No county-level selection process is required.

When:

• All exhibits must be posted online by noon, August 1, 2012
• Exhibit judging will be conducted online through interactive website (Aug. 1-10th)
• Winners announced on Saturday, August 11^th, at the Illinois 4-H Family event on the fairgrounds in Springfield, IL.
• Entries will be made available for public viewing in the Exposition Building on a daily basis

Entries from the 2011 Illinois 4-H State Fair Online can be viewed at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/4hstatefaironline/ Updates on the 2012 event will be posted on this website later this spring. Details on 2012 entries can be found in the 2012 General 4-H Exhibit – Illinois State Fair guidelines. Related classes include My 4-H Project Video (#50295) and My 4-H Project Map (#50125).

_______

Additional Notes on Filmmaking Classes 50290-50294 - this same information is in the 2012 State Fair Exhibit guidelines:

• Enrollment in the video project is required
• Each county may submit two entries within this group of classes, however no more than one entry may be made in an individual class
• All exhibits must be posted for on-line judging on the "Illinois 4-H State Fair Online" website.
• Judges will be available for in-person feedback and recognition on regularly scheduled county judging days
• Entries will be made available for public viewing in the Exposition Building on a daily basis

NGCP (National Girls Collaborative Project)
Webinar Finding Funding and Resources to Support Your Program
March 28, 2012
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific

Because of the growing attendance at the Annual 4-H State Robotics Competition, we would like to take advantage of the opportunity to expose these youth to a range of research advances in robotics and possible future college/career pathways.

Prior to the April 14, 2012 competition, and concurrent with the registration time for teams, several booths with hands-on activities and demos will be setup for participants to explore. These will include both campus/research and industry/workplace examples of robotics. In addition, there will be a crop science table of hands-on activities that connects to this year's "FarmBot" challenge.

Date: April 14, 2012
Location: Activities and Recreation Center (ARC), 201 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820

Time: 11:30am-12:30pm

This event is open to the public. Participants are invited to stay and observe the 4-H Robotics Competition that begins at 1:00pm.

For questions or more information, contact:
Lisa Bouillion Diaz
lbdiaz@illinois.edu
217-333-0910 

Welcome to the FarmBot Challenge!

Teams of 3 or more 4-H members (ages 9-18) are invited to compete in this year's statewide robotics challenge. The FarmBot objective is to collect two crops from the "field" and sort/deposit into separate bins. Each team that registers will receive ten (10) 1-inch wooden blocks free of cost to prepare for this challenge.

Date:April 14, 2012

Time:1:00-5:00pm (Noon registration)

Location:MP6 Gym, Athletics Recreation Center on UIUC campus


For registration forms and more information on the FarmBot Challenge: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state4h/events/4hroboticschallenge.cfm

For questions, contact Lisa Diaz lbdiaz@illinois.edu or 217-333-0910

Congratulations to all the 2012 4th Annual State 4-H Robotics Competition Award Winners:

Top scoring senior team: Got Robot (Kane County)
Top scoring junior team: Brimfield HUB (Peoria County)
Top scoring rookie junior team: L-Cubed (Macon County)
Rookie Team Award: Crunchy Froggers (Kane County)
Best Teamwork Award - Sr Team: 4-H RoboStorms High School (Macon County)
Best Teamwork Award - Jr Team: SPN/Team Nova (Cook County)
Judge's Choice Award: 9-Volt Junkers (Kane County)

Attention, 4-H GIS-GPS enthusiasts: There is a Facebook page just for you! I invite you to "like" the page and contribute your 4-H GIS-GPS stories to it, at https://www.facebook.com/4hgisgps. Please note that this is an organizational Facebook page, rather than a closed group, so all posts are public. If you want to post to the page, you'll need to use your Facebook login. (Colleagues, please share this information with your 4-H'ers, leaders and other interested people.)