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.

2019-2020 FLL challenge - Youth are asked: What if you could build a better world? Where would you begin? In FIRST, youth are part of a community brimming with inspiration, creativity, and hope for a stronger, more sustainable future—one that’s built better together.    Provided in this episode is the audio from the CITY SHAPER Kickoff on the FLL League YouTube channel.

Heidi is an elementary school teacher of 10 years and has lead and organized multiple FLL teams at her school.  Aubree has served with Heidi for the past 4 years as an FLL mentor, and is an FTC robotics competitor. They have extensive experience in how to bring FLL into a school.

Gayla Peacock became involved in robotics when her brother, Curtis Larsen, asked her to be an assistant coach for their new team. The team has won awards at every FLL regional qualifier that they’ve been to, and attribute much of their success to Gayla’s taskmaster skills. You don’t need to be a software developer to lead a youth robotics team.

Matthew Lowe, principle of Hurricane Elementary, has a love for FIRST robotics. He has coached teams at his school for the past 6 years and created a robotics program with 13 teams. He brings insight and perspective into how a veteran school administrator leads, organizes, and supports a comprehensive youth robotics program.

Jenny and Alex Chamberlain are 4-H volunteers that have served as FLL coaches for multiple seasons. All the kids on their teams, from “Built to Be Wild” to “The Droids You Are Looking For” have had tremendous success applying the FIRST core values of gracious professionalism and cooperation in their everyday lives. They understand that youth robotics competitions are about more than robots.      

This episode is a fantastic example of how an experienced, award-winning robotics team delivers in the Core Values, Project, and Robot Design sessions. This contains the audio from the Gator’s Grokking Gizmos 4-H robotics club judging presentations.     

Paul Hill opens the 3rd season of Tomorrow's Innovators podcast and introduces the 2019-2020 season, FIRST RISE: THE FORCE IS BUILDING. FLL Jr.    - BOOMTOWN BUILD FLL     - CITY SHAPER FTC     - SKYSTONE FRC     - INFINITE RECHARGE

Chris and Sarah Ashworth, the leaders of the Wookie Cookies 4-H robotics club. Sarah is a Stanford grad who was a research scientist and junior high science teacher in the Bay Area before becoming a full-time, home-school mom. Chris earned his BS and MS in electrical engineering from BYU and is the RF Design Center Manager for Wilson Electronics in St. George Utah where they currently reside.

Rosey Rosander, a sports recreation professional who adopted a son that loves LEGOs. When he couldn’t find an existing 4-H club in his neighborhood that was competing, he started his own robotics club with no prior experience.  Drawing on his coaching expertise, Rosey recruited members and their parents for his club, the 4-H GOAT Warriors, winning 3rd place at the FLL Regional Qualifier. Learn how Rosey made it happen here.

Paul discussing soft skills, what they are, and how mentors can help youth develop these skills.   "We are not using kids to build robots. We are using robots to build kids" - Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST.  Paul shares a piece written by Seth Godin titled “Let’s stop calling them ‘soft skills’” that informs intentional work of guiding young people down the path of innovation and leadership.    

Paul interviews Rob Murray, an aeronautical engineer who went to visit Emery County, Utah and never left. He now runs a youth robotics program in a rural county of 10,000 people spread across over 4000 square miles. Rob works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of youth in rural Utah so they can have the opportunity to develop their STEM and leadership abilities.

Paul has an impromptu sit down with his good friend, colleague, mentor, and NEW Director of Utah 4-H: Dave Francis. They discuss the project for the FLL "Into Orbit" Season and how teams can organize ideas and improve ideas before presenting.  This season's project requires teams to "identify a physical or social problem faced by humans during long duration space exploration within our Sun’s solar system and propose a solution."

This episode is an inside perspective into FLL judging sessions at a region or state tournaments. Provided is the audio from the 4-H Nerf Herders Robotics club core values, project, and robot design judging sessions. It’s not all about robots, we don’t use kids to build robots, we use robots to build kids.

Chelsey Short, Regional Director of FIRST in Utah stars in this episode. Chelsey brings a wealth of experience in many youth programs including performing arts, public safety, and University Extension. 

Paul riffs about 4-H and the history of 4-H with A.B. Graham and Jessie Field Shambaugh, some of the founders of 4-H. Audio(used with permission) is Albert and Jessie talking about the first 4-H clubs from the early 1900’s.

Paul showcases the May 15, 2018 FIRST press release announcing the 2019 season themes:  FLL Jr.- MISSION MOON FLL- INTO ORBIT FTC- ROVER RUCKUS FRC- DESTINATION: DEEP SPACE

For the season two pilot Paul takes you inside the project judging room to listen to the 4-H Gator’s Grokking Gizmos project presentation at the Utah South FLL State Championship during the 2017-18 Hydrodynamics season.

Brian Allen has coached and mentored 4-H youth robotics clubs for the last 6 years, transitioning from an award-winning FLL team to a FTC team that finished 16th in the world. He's equal parts nerd, geek, inventor, and mad scientist and has a well-earned reputation for bad dad jokes.

Bailee Allen is a recent 4-H alum, Utah 4-H State Officer, cofounder of The PrestidigiTaters – FTC Team 9761, has competed in the World FTC Championships twice, and has become a role model for young girls in Southern Utah.

Miriam Force is one of Paul's favorite people on planet Earth. They have worked side-by-side for the past 8 years at Utah State University Extension where she has served on the 4-H Staff for over 20 years.  Miriam has also been an FLL Core Value Judge for the past 7 years.

Bryan Poulsen has served as a head referee for the past four years at regional and statewide FLL competitions. He gives back because he loves paying it forward, a principle he learned as a national officer in Future Business Leaders of America. Paul and Bryan share how FLL robotics teams can plan winning strategies in the robot game.  

Dolores Heaton has volunteered as the FLL tournament director in St. George, Utah since 2011 and has volunteered at a record 17 FLL events in the state. She even has the mini-fig earrings and LEGO tiara to prove it. Dolores and Paul talk about what first-time teams can expect at an FLL event.    

This is Part 4 of 4 in a series of episodes dedicated to deconstructing how a successful FLL team functions. On this episode, Paul interviews Curtis Larsen once again, This time about his 4-H robotics club, the Gator's Grokking Gizmos.  

This is Part 3 of 4 in a series of episodes dedicated to deconstructing how a successful FLL team functions. On this episode, Paul interviews Lisa Henderson, head coach of the 4-H SuperBot Bros robotics club.

This is Part 2 of 4 in a series of episodes dedicated to deconstructing how a successful FLL team functions. On this episode, Paul interviews Amy Hummel, head coach of the 4-H Fantastic Four robotics club.        

This is Part 1 of 4 in a series of episodes dedicated to deconstructing how a successful FLL team functions. On this episode, Paul interviews Andrea Schmutz, head coach of the 4-H Nerf Herders robotics club.      

Curtis Larsen, Computer Science Professor at Dixie State University, has been a FLL coach for 7 seasons, FTC coach for 2 seasons, 4-H volunteer club leader for robotics and computer science clubs for 5 years. Curtis and Paul debrief the 2017-18 HYDRODYNAMICS season.

Dave Francis, Extension Professor at Utah State University stars in this episode. Dave’s STEM projects include: water quality, 4-H Teens as Teachers, 4-H Science in Urban Communities and engaging rural youth in Afterschool STEM efforts. His most recent efforts include building capacity for the Maker Movement and 4-H Computer Science with Google.

Craig is the Assistant Director of Utah 4-H and youth programs and State Specialist over 4-H Mentoring, Leadership, and Citizenship. Craig and Paul discuss 4-H, our nation’s youth development organization.

Paul Hill introduces you to the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) organization, and this can't be done without first introducing its founder, Dean Kamen. Paul goes into mission, vision, methodology, and values of FIRST, as well as a brief explanation of the 4 FIRST programs:  FIRST LEGO League Jr. (FLL Jr.) FIRST LEGO League (FLL) FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

Coming in July 2018, Paul Hill, USU Extension professor, begins his project to support the community of caring adults who volunteer in youth robotics programs such as: FIRST LEGO League Jr, FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, & 4-H. This podcast about guiding young people down the path of innovation and leadership. Paul and his guests will discuss the educational programs, resources, topics, and issues important to all mentors and leaders of tomorrow’s innovators.