Students enrolled in the spring 2022 Laramie County 4-H robotics program pose with
Gov. Mark Gordon after sharing their projects. From left are: front row, Connor Merz,
Preston Burrell, Landon Schei, Lydia Fields, Rachel Fields, Rebekah Fields, Tanner
Merz and Aidan Travis; back row, leader Matt Fields, Conor Talkington, Jacob Fields,
Gordon, Tomas Becerra, Kristi Nagy (Laramie County 4-H) and leader Hannah Fields.
(Governor’s Office Photo)
This summer, 11 4-H students ages 7-15 met at Laramie County Community College in
Cheyenne to debrief their robotics projects -- with the top elected official of their
state.
“It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences, the governor talking to the kids
one on 11,” says 4-H volunteer Hannah Fields. “That’ll stay with them for a long time.”
She and her husband, Matt Fields, lead one of the 4-H robotics groups in Laramie County,
under the auspices of University of Wyoming Extension.
When the spring 2022 program began in March, most of the 12 students enrolled had
never encountered computer programming language. Only a few months later, the same
students were chatting animatedly with Gov. Mark Gordon about their robotics projects,
including innovative robotic solutions to city planning issues and the awards they’d
earned at the annual Showcase Showdown 4-H competition at UW in Laramie.
“Once they start doing the hands-on stuff, it clicks,” Hannah Fields says. “It’s like
learning a language -- and these kids got it.”
In this case, the language was Scratch programming, which students used to design
and build robots capable of competing in sumo wrestling competitions, obstacle courses
and more. They returned from the Showcase Showdown competition with high spirits --
and high marks.
“Robotics doesn’t fit into 4-H at all -- until you realize people in ag rely so much
on technology these days, from using GPS to milking through high-tech systems and
more. If you know how to code, to program, it opens up doors for you,” Hannah Fields
explains.
To complement their coding ventures, students also were asked to think critically
about how robots could be used to address city planning issues, both hypothetical
and real. How could a city better manage its waste, for instance?
One solution, the young programmers proposed, might involve coding robots to cart
away garbage, using sensors to detect when the trash cans are full.
This fall, the goal is for students in the Laramie County program to compete in First
Lego League robotics contests, which are held at the state, national and global levels.
Ultimately, it’s about helping students realize their potential and find opportunities
to explore possible careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields,
Hannah Fields says.
“Maybe someday we’ll see these kids on ‘Shark Tank’ or as the heads of Apple,” she
says. “It’s really exciting to see glimpses in these last few months. Given the right
opportunities and experiences, kids really can go above and beyond.”
To learn more about 4-H robotics programs, visit bit.ly/wyoming-4H-robotics or contact your local UW Extension office. Contact information can be found at www.uwyo.edu/uwe/county.
About UW Extension
Since 1914, UW Extension has provided lifelong learning opportunities to Wyoming citizens
across the state. With roots in agricultural education, UW Extension supports rural
communities facing contemporary challenges and changes. UW Extension brings the university’s
resources to each of the state’s 23 counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation.
To learn more about UW Extension, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwe or call (307) 766-5124.
