For 4-H National Youth Science Days, members of Pocahontas County 4-H clubs met at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank October 11 to take on the Eco-Bot Challenge.

The challenge asks 4-Hers to explore robots and how technology can be used to preserve and protect the environment.
Using a small motor with red and black wires, a button cell battery, toothbrush head and mounting tape, each kid made an Eco-Bot. Then, they had to devise a plan to control the robots and use them to clean up a simulated environmental spill on the fictitious Bailey Beach.

With a map of the beach, kids used paper cups, straws, tape and cardstock to create barriers to keep the Eco-Bots on the right path.

As they tested their Eco-Bots, the 4-Hers made several observations that helped them deduce a plan.

“They are too small to work on a real beach, but they do pick up stuff,” Ty Cochran said.

As the kids tested the robots on concrete, tile and carpet, they noticed the brush would pick up some dirt and a few stray hairs.

Extension Agent Shirley Wilkins said this is the second year the county 4-Hers participated in Youth Science Day.

“This is being done all over the nation today,” she said. “Last year they made windmills. Everything is becoming more science and technology oriented, so it’s important for the kids to do experiments like this.”

Wilkins also took part in the fun and made her own Eco-Bot.

Each participant was given a guide book for the project where they made notations of their observations and equations used to create a plan.

For more information on the 4-H Youth Science Day and to download the Eco-Bot challenge guide which includes instructions on how to make an Eco-Bot, visit http://www.4-h.org/4-h-national-youth-science-day/

Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com