Tomorrow's Innovators Podcast

The Utah 4-H Underdogs are a robotics club of young engineers and innovators that are also refugees from 9 difference countries. In 2019 these incredible youth competed in their regional FIRST Robotics FRC Competition and won in the rookie category, which allowed them to advance on, to the FIRST World Robotics Competition in Houston, Texas. In this interview we discuss their experience getting involved in youth robotics, starting a club, and the importance of friendship, communication, perseverance, and hard work when building and programming robots for high-pressure competitions.

Deb Ivie is an Extension Assistant Professor at Utah State University where she develops 4-H STEM youth programs. Deb graduated from Brigham Young University with an undergraduate and masters degree in human development but got her start in positive youth development as a mother and eventually a 4-H robotics club leader for her 7 kids and their friends. She shares how she started a 4-H afterschool electronics program that eventually evolved into 11 4-H robotics clubs competing in the FIRST LEGO League. She also explains how she went about seeking funding for these teams, but more importantly how to strengthen core values within a robotics team and with partners like elementary schools and the 4-H program.

Alexis Worwood is the head coach of the 4-H Emoji-Coders robotics club from "coal country" in rural Emery county, Utah. She shares both the success and struggles of starting a 4-H robotics club that competes in FIRST LEGO League--from figuring out the rules and finding balance with the members of her team. She also speaks to the value in discovering the strengths and weaknesses of each club member and teaching the youth to become well rounded innovators and contributors in their rural community.

Curtis Larsen is a professor of computer science at Dixie State University and dedicated FLL volunteer since 2011. He shares his wisdom, experience, and insights through each mission of the FIRST LEGO League City Shaper challenge, providing you with tips and guidance on how to optimize your team’s scoring potential during the robot game. When you listen to this episode, it is advised you do so in front of your own challenge set.

Sherri Lords is a motivated classroom teacher at Red Mountain Elementary and manages a thriving 4-H Afterschool computer science club that includes multiple FLL teams.

Rachel is current Utah 4-H State Ambassador who has been involved in FLL as a student mentor for the past two years and will be a head coach for this coming season now that she is 18.