The Utah 4-H Underdogs are a robotics club of young engineers and innovators that are also refugees from 9 difference countries. In 2019 these incredible youth competed in their regional FIRST Robotics FRC Competition and won in the rookie category, which allowed them to advance on, to the FIRST World Robotics Competition in Houston, Texas. In this interview we discuss their experience getting involved in youth robotics, starting a club, and the importance of friendship, communication, perseverance, and hard work when building and programming robots for high-pressure competitions.

Tomorrow's Innovators Podcast

How Youth Robotics Positively Impacts Refugees

Deb Ivie is an Extension Assistant Professor at Utah State University where she develops 4-H STEM youth programs. Deb graduated from Brigham Young University with an undergraduate and masters degree in human development but got her start in positive youth development as a mother and eventually a 4-H robotics club leader for her 7 kids and their friends. She shares how she started a 4-H afterschool electronics program that eventually evolved into 11 4-H robotics clubs competing in the FIRST LEGO League. She also explains how she went about seeking funding for these teams, but more importantly how to strengthen core values within a robotics team and with partners like elementary schools and the 4-H program.

An Early Adopter of FIRST LEGO League in Utah Shares Her Story and Lessons Learned

Alexis Worwood is the head coach of the 4-H Emoji-Coders robotics club from "coal country" in rural Emery county, Utah. She shares both the success and struggles of starting a 4-H robotics club that competes in FIRST LEGO League--from figuring out the rules and finding balance with the members of her team. She also speaks to the value in discovering the strengths and weaknesses of each club member and teaching the youth to become well rounded innovators and contributors in their rural community.

Competing in FIRST LEGO League as a 4-H Robotics Club from Rural Utah

Curtis Larsen is a professor of computer science at Dixie State University and dedicated FLL volunteer since 2011. He shares his wisdom, experience, and insights through each mission of the FIRST LEGO League City Shaper challenge, providing you with tips and guidance on how to optimize your team’s scoring potential during the robot game. When you listen to this episode, it is advised you do so in front of your own challenge set.

A Breakdown of All the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) City Shaper Robot Game Missions with Curtis Larsen

Sherri Lords is a motivated classroom teacher at Red Mountain Elementary and manages a thriving 4-H Afterschool computer science club that includes multiple FLL teams.  Rachel is current Utah 4-H State Ambassador who has been involved in FLL as a student mentor for the past two years and will be a head coach for this coming season now that she is 18.

How to Organize FIRST LEGO League Teams Part 2 with Sherri and Rachel Lords

2019-2020 FLL challenge - Youth are asked: What if you could build a better world? Where would you begin? In FIRST, youth are part of a community brimming with inspiration, creativity, and hope for a stronger, more sustainable future—one that’s built better together.    Provided in this episode is the audio from the CITY SHAPER Kickoff on the FLL League YouTube channel.

The FIRST LEGO League (FLL) CITY SHAPER Challenge

Heidi is an elementary school teacher of 10 years and has lead and organized multiple FLL teams at her school.  Aubree has served with Heidi for the past 4 years as an FLL mentor, and is an FTC robotics competitor. They have extensive experience in how to bring FLL into a school.

How to Organize FIRST LEGO League Teams Part 1 with Heidi and Aubree Miller

Gayla Peacock became involved in robotics when her brother, Curtis Larsen, asked her to be an assistant coach for their new team. The team has won awards at every FLL regional qualifier that they’ve been to, and attribute much of their success to Gayla’s taskmaster skills. You don’t need to be a software developer to lead a youth robotics team.

How to Succeed in Building Youth and Robots with Gayla Peacock

Matthew Lowe, principle of Hurricane Elementary, has a love for FIRST robotics. He has coached teams at his school for the past 6 years and created a robotics program with 13 teams. He brings insight and perspective into how a veteran school administrator leads, organizes, and supports a comprehensive youth robotics program.

Inspiring STEM Culture at School Through FIRST Youth Robotics with Matthew Lowe

Jenny and Alex Chamberlain are 4-H volunteers that have served as FLL coaches for multiple seasons. All the kids on their teams, from “Built to Be Wild” to “The Droids You Are Looking For” have had tremendous success applying the FIRST core values of gracious professionalism and cooperation in their everyday lives. They understand that youth robotics competitions are about more than robots.      

Being an Involved Parent in Youth Robotics with Jenny and Alex Chamberlain

This episode is a fantastic example of how an experienced, award-winning robotics team delivers in the Core Values, Project, and Robot Design sessions. This contains the audio from the Gator’s Grokking Gizmos 4-H robotics club judging presentations.     

Award Winning FLL Judging Presentations from G3

Paul Hill opens the 3rd season of Tomorrow's Innovators podcast and introduces the 2019-2020 season, FIRST RISE: THE FORCE IS BUILDING. FLL Jr.    - BOOMTOWN BUILD FLL     - CITY SHAPER FTC     - SKYSTONE FRC     - INFINITE RECHARGE 

Intro to Season 3 and the FIRST RISE Season

Chris and Sarah Ashworth, the leaders of the Wookie Cookies 4-H robotics club. Sarah is a Stanford grad who was a research scientist and junior high science teacher in the Bay Area before becoming a full-time, home-school mom. Chris earned his BS and MS in electrical engineering from BYU and is the RF Design Center Manager for Wilson Electronics in St. George Utah where they currently reside.

Jumping into the FIRST LEGO League Robotics Program with Chris & Sarah Ashworth

Rosey Rosander, a sports recreation professional who adopted a son that loves LEGOs. When he couldn’t find an existing 4-H club in his neighborhood that was competing, he started his own robotics club with no prior experience.  Drawing on his coaching expertise, Rosey recruited members and their parents for his club, the 4-H GOAT Warriors, winning 3rd place at the FLL Regional Qualifier. Learn how Rosey made it happen here.

Jumping into the FIRST LEGO League Robotics Program (with No Experience) with Rosey Rosander

Paul discussing soft skills, what they are, and how mentors can help youth develop these skills.   "We are not using kids to build robots. We are using robots to build kids" - Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST.  Paul shares a piece written by Seth Godin titled “Let’s stop calling them ‘soft skills’” that informs intentional work of guiding young people down the path of innovation and leadership.    

Youth Robotics and Soft Skills

Paul Hill is a Research and Extension Professor at Utah State University where he has developed national, award-winning STEM education programs. This podcast is for the community of caring adults who serve young people in their profession and as volunteers. In this show, Paul deconstructs the foremost youth programs (e.g., FIRST robotics, 4-H) and resources for guiding young people down the path of innovation and leadership with successful professionals and volunteers. This is your go-to podcast for understanding how to lead, mentor, and inspire tomorrow’s innovators.

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Tomorrow's Innovators Podcast

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