Robotics team takes part in WSU engineering day

SciBorg Francis O’Toole of Colton helps some young scientists craft fly straw rockets at the WSU Kids Science and Engineering Day. Photo courtesy Helena Johnson.

The 4H Palouse Area Robotics Team (P.A.R.T.) SciBorgs teamed up with WSU’s Society of Women Engineers at the annual WSU Kids Science and Engineering Day April 2 at Sloan Hall.

Together with WSU science clubs and community groups, the SciBorgs offered carnival-style STEM activities for dozens of children Kindergarten through fifth grade.

4H P.A.R.T. has developed a STEM program, SciBorg Sprouts, to engage young students in engineering challenges, among other activities. This year the students built their own marble raceways–with pool noodles and blocks–fly straw rockets with different variations, and programed a small robot using software to rescue a princess from a dragon or a crocodile from a moat.

“For the last several years, 4H has recognized the importance of youth learning science, technology, engineering and math skills,” stated Janet Schmidt, WSU Extension County Director and 4H Youth Educator.

These stations were designed to teach the basic engineering cycle of improvement: Plan/Design, Implement/Testing and Reassess/Evaluate – all while having fun and enjoying the process.

“The kids were delighted to experiment with different angles for the raceway pool noodles and how it affected the speed and the path of the marbles,” said Helena Johnson, Sciborgs mentor. “And with the straw rockets, they discovered placement and number of fins affected how straight and how far the rockets flew through various targets.”