Brimfield 4-H Robotics Team Gets Top Score at Statewide Junior Robotics Challenge
This article was originally published on June 15, 2012 and expired on June 25, 2012. It is provided here for archival purposes and may contain dated information.
The Jubilee Patriot's "Brimfield HUB" robotics team from Peoria County won the Jr. Division Competition at the fourth annual statewide 4-H Robotics Challenge. Twenty-five teams participated in the competition that was held on April 14th in Champaign-Urbana, with over 200 people in attendance.
Brimfield HUB won a $350 FIRST Scholarship for their achievements, but more than that, they take away a sense of pride in their accomplishments. The team has worked together for several months preparing their challenge and received the maximum points allotted in several categories. "One of the exciting things about the competition is seeing all the creative things other teams do", stated Robin Forney, who is the unofficial assistant to the team's coach who happens to be her husband Bob Forney. "You think your solution is the most creative one possible, but when you get to the competition, you see other teams making all kinds of cool things work!"
Robin described this year's team as dedicated, energetic and focused. Their team consisted of youth from Peoria County and one young man from Tazewell County who learned about the team at 4-H Clover Clinic and wanted to participate so badly that his family drove an hour to the practices. So, when asked what the kids enjoyed most about the Robotics Team, Robin said, "I don't know if it is the technology or working together with other kids who enjoy doing the same thing. Both things weigh into their decision to participate in the group."
It seems obvious that a team practicing robotics would be learning electronics, mathematics, electronic design and programming. What might not seem so obvious is the sense of belonging formed by this group, which is seen in their name "HUB" that represents the first letters of all of their last names. This comradery and friendship is equally important to the Brimfield HUB, as they won't only remember the first place award they won, but also the friendships they made along the way.
University of Illinois Extension programming in the areas of science and technology include robotics, as well as a wide variety of science-related 4-H projects including photography and video spin clubs. For more information about the 4-H Youth Development program in the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell unit, contact Judy Schmidt, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development at schmid7@illinois.edu or 309-347-6614.
Pull date: June 25, 2012
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