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Clay County 4-H hosts robotics workshop at UF/IFAS Extension Office

For Clay Today
Posted 12/4/19

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County 4-H recently held a Robotics Workshop at the Clay County University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Services Office in the T. Jesse …

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Clay County 4-H hosts robotics workshop at UF/IFAS Extension Office


Posted

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County 4-H recently held a Robotics Workshop at the Clay County University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Services Office in the T. Jesse Godbold Education Center. Clay County 4-H holds regular robotics workshops that are open to 4-H members, ages 8-14 years old, who are interested in learning about robotics, as well as any adults who want to share their knowledge of engineering as a mentor.

Youth that participated in the November workshop learned the basics of LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Robotics by developing a program to navigate a LEGO robot through a wooden maze. Students were divided into teams that included a programmer, program manager, technical advisor and tester. Each team had a LEGO robot and a tablet with basic program commands that move the robot forward, backward, and rotate it at a desired distance and degree. The students started by programming the robots to go forward two full wheel rotations and measured the distance traveled. Next, they used protractors to determine at what degree the turns should be in order to maneuver the corners. The measurements collected helped to develop a program that allowed the robot to successfully navigate the wooden maze with ease. Participants were challenged but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Clay County Extension and 4-H Youth Development Agent Matthew Olson said: “4-H is so much more than cows and corn, while its origin is rooted in agriculture, 4-H has grown to become the largest after school youth development program in the nation.”

National Computer Science Education Week is Dec. 9-15. Northeast Florida has been recognized as a global leader in advanced STEM education due to the collaborative efforts made by the

Clay County School District and programs like STEM2 Hub and 4-H, that through their ongoing instruction in computer science, robotics, and other forward-facing technologies, are a model for the entire nation.

“This is a great time to highlight the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) resources and programs that 4-H offers to Clay County Youth,” Olson said.

Clay County 4-H has a Technology Lab created with a grant from the Clay Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up. The lab is fully equipped with laptop computers, 3D printers, and several robots available to engage 4-H members. 4-H also offers a variety of STEM-themed day and week-long camps to try including: forensics, Tinkering with Rockets, blacksmithing, Marine Camp, and Gator Adventures, among others.

Robotics, computer coding and 3D printing workshops are scheduled in the coming year. Learn more on the UF/IFAS Extension Clay County 4-H Facebook Page.

Clay County Commissioner, recently elected Chairman of the Board, Gayward Hendry serves on the Clay County 4-H Foundation Board. The Clay County 4-H Foundation Board provided scholarships to 23 youths last year allowing them to attend a variety of 4-H educational camps at no charge.

“I am proud to support 4-H because it is an outstanding organization that offers innovative programs like the Robotics Workshop, that give our Clay County youth an opportunity to learn

important career skills that give them a competitive edge for their future,” he said.

4-H has been providing hands-on learning experiences in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship to youth for more than a century. If you would like to learn more about Clay County 4-H or make a donation to help young people develop the skills needed to be the next generation of Clay County leaders, please visit http://florida4h.org/ or contact the Olson at Clay County 4-H at (904) 284-6355.