CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman 4-H Robotics Club will hold a parent meeting on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 3:30 p.m. at Cullman Christian School, located at 1803 Beech Ave. SE, in the concession area of the gym. This meeting is an important opportunity for parents to learn about this year’s team requirements, schedule and the exciting opportunities available for their children in the robotics program.
The club, geared for students from fifth grade through high school, offers a hands-on learning experience in VEX Robotics, guided by experienced coaches like Kerri Roberts, 4-H Youth Development coordinator, and Jonathan Haynes, STEM teacher at Cullman Middle and High Schools. Both have been trained through the Southeastern Center of Robotics Education (S.C.O.R.E.) at Auburn University.
The 4-H Robotics Club provides a unique niche for homeschool and private school students, though it is open to public school students as well. The club will practice on Thursday afternoons from 3:30-5 from Sept. 5 through January at Cullman Christian School.
Tytus Stracener and Calub Pruitt, members of a middle school VEX IQ team, compete in the drivers challenge during last season’s Wallace State Community College tournament. (Kerri Roberts)
Due to limited resources, participation in the club requires a tryout. Students will need to study this year’s game, develop a strategy and create a digital notebook that will be reviewed. There is a $65 participation fee, with financial assistance available for those in need.
Roberts explained what typical club meetings involve: “Meetings involve the construction of the robot within certain parameters of the game, practicing driving skills (with a control much like a PlayStation controller) and incorporating computer programming. VEX Robotics is a competition program, but what I love about it is that when two teams are assigned during the competition to drive the course, it is a cooperative game.”
A Vex V5 robot build from last season (Kerri Roberts)
Parents attending the meeting can expect a detailed overview of the program. The club also plans to participate in out-of-county tournaments, including the WSCC robotics tournament hosted by Terry Ayers and his crew. The mission of the 4-H Robotics Club is to ignite a passion for robotics that could lead to future career opportunities for students.
“Our main goal in 4-H is to spark an interest that will continue to be a passion for that child into adulthood. There are many careers in robotics. If we can help youth explore this interest in a fun and safe environment, then we have succeeded,” Roberts shared.
For more information on this year’s VEX Robotics games, visit www.vexrobotics.com/competition.
