Young Creators Assemble ‘Junk Robots’ During 4-H STEM Club Camp

Extension Center Looking To Start Up 4-H STEM Club in Ashley Area This School Year

By Leah Williams

With a little more than what you will find in a typical junk drawer, about 20 students worked to bring the ordinary household items to life.

The battery-powered “Junk Robots” would ultimately scribble colorful dots throughout the table upon successful completion of the mission.

Thursday, August 1, was the third day in the first-ever 4-H STEM Club at the Ashley Public Library.

“It has all been science, math, technology and engineering-related,” said Amanda Clark, 4-H Program Coordinator at the University of Illinois Extension Center. “We have had a variety of kids each day.”

Other activities included building and launching rockets, seeing a whole new world view through virtual reality glasses, documenting a robot bee’s pollination path and much more. The activities were picked based on their ability for the children to problem solve and think creatively.

Clark said the idea behind the camp was to get the young minds excited about a possible STEM club, which will be launched in the Ashely area this school year. The club would be open to any Washington County student age 8 to 18 yewho would be interested in participating. Anyone interested in becoming a leader for the new club is also welcome to contact the extension center.

“This has been an underserved area for us, so we are trying to get a big push and get something going,” she said. “We really need an adult leader or two to start up a club..”

Most clubs meet once a month to accommodate busy schedules.

For more photos from the junk robot exercise, check out our photo gallery.