Kane County 4-H Robotics Program “unearths” innovation in its eighth season

Kane County 4-H recently celebrated the completion of its eighth season of Junior FIRST LEGO League Robotics, continuing to inspire local youth through hands-on STEM learning and creative exploration.

This year’s theme, “Unearthed,” encour­aged students to dig deeper into discovery and innovation, explor­ing how ideas found beneath the surface can lead to real-world solutions. Throughout the season, partici­pants researched top­ics, designed models and developed creative solutions using LEGO elements, coding, ro­botics and teamwork.

The program em­phasizes more than technical skills. Youth participants practice collaboration, commu­nication and problem-solving, while building confidence through experiential learn­ing. Over the past eight years, the Kane County 4-H robotics program has grown into a valuable oppor­tunity for students to engage with STEM in meaningful and acces­sible ways.

The season conclud­ed with a showcase event hosted by Utah Tech STEM Outreach at Utah Tech Uni­versity, where junior teams presented their projects to judges and shared what they learned throughout the season. Families, volunteers and com­munity members gath­ered to celebrate the students’ creativity and accomplishments.

“Our teams continue to impress us with their curiosity and creativity,” said 4-H Program Coordinator Angie Reidhead. “The ‘Unearthed’ theme helped students ask questions, think criti­cally, and discover how STEM connects to the world around them.”

The program is made possible through sup­port from the Utah STEM Action Center along with the dedi­cation of volunteer coaches, parents and local businesses who help bring these op­portunities to youth across Kane County.

Special thanks go to this year’s volunteer coaches for their time, mentorship and com­mitment to student success.

• Chelsea Howells and Jana Stone - The Dirt Diggers

• Ben Aiken and Crys­tal Schouten - The Building Badgers

• Matt Brown and Emily Koelliker - The McDawgs

• Holly Sneider and Kristin Ludwig - The Robotic Bone Seekers

• Calvin and Krista Wendelboe - The Tur­tlebacks

• Ashlee and Kaber Esplin - Valley Sand Worms

For more informa­tion about getting your child involved in 4-H, please contact Angie Reidhead at kane4h@gmail.com.