For several years, students in the Oregon State University Extension Service 4-H Youth Development Program’s middle school robotics programs in Wasco County have shown a high level of success by winning three state championships – two in VEX Robotics and one in MATE ROV underwater robotics. One team advanced to the middle school VEX world finals robotics competition two years in a row. Building on this success, 4-H in Wasco County sought to continue with high school robotics support and mentor the new robotics coach at The Dalles High School.
Lu Seapy, 4-H STEM educator in Wasco County, worked with coach Chuck Webber. Seapy led lessons in mechanical engineering and computer science, wrote grants to support team expenses, assisted with tournament registration and logistics, and helped students organize and plan their design process. Seapy conducted lessons in programming, sensor use, testing and documentation and helped students prepare for judging interviews. Additionally, 4-H in Wasco County assisted in a promotional campaign to help the teams fundraise $11,000 to cover tournament travel expenses.
As a result of the partnership, two high school teams advanced to the VEX U.S. Open National Competition and VEX World Robotics Competition. The System Overload team won division championships at both competitions and placed fourth at the U.S. Open and eighth at the World Championship. All students had a life-changing experience. Both robotics teams were comprised of youths who had participated in robotics starting in elementary school and continued throughout middle and high school. Seniors Angel Garcia and Theo Sandoz have been involved in 4-H STEM programs since the fourth grade.
“The VEX World Championships was one of the best experiences of my life and it was amazing to be able to compete with teams from all around the world,” said Colin Schecter, a sophomore from team System Overload.
“My highlight of this experience is just making it to Worlds,” said Garcia, who participated in both events as part of team Irrelevant. “I’ve wanted to be part of a championship team since I started robotics.”