Summer 2023

FIRST is more than robots; and we are more than FIRST. 

The FIRST Robotics seasons last from late summer to mid-spring; after that, teams are left without competitions or, sometimes, without something technical at all. Superior STEAM is different; because we are a 4-H Club, and not just a robotics team or school class, we look for other STEAM competitions to compete in and/or plan trainings, lessons, and workshops for the summer. 

Below is a list of the planned STEAM activities for the Summer of 2023.

Note: The list of activities and their descriptions are ever-changing. Not all activities may be done.

2nd Annual STEAM Nights

The best way to know that you have learned something is to teach it to someone else. That is why our students will be creating and operating two, three-hour a night workshops for other students in our community. This will cover STEAM topics that the students have learned during their time in the club.

This will be held at the Sandy and Danny Daugherty Center for STEAM Excellence in the evening. Date TBD&A.

2nd Annual Open House

We are planning a one day Open House for our students to showcase their awesome projects and accomplishments to our community. Come see robots and other awesome projects created by the youth of Lawrence County!

Time and location TBD&A.

LEGO Spike Lessons

In preparation for next year's FIRST Lego League (FLL) season, we will be going through Sprike Prime's lessons in thier software.

If you are interested in FLL for next season or just wan to learn and have fun join us.

Indiana 4-H Robotics Competition

We have been asked by Indiana 4-H to create and help with a robotics competition for other 4-H members throughout the state. We will be working on and developing this project through the Spring to show at our county and state fair this summer.

If you are interested in competing in the 4-H Robotics Challenge email us or your local 4-H office.

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

After learning about 3D printing and drones, students will then learn about computer aided design software. Our club uses Onshape and Solidworks for our parametric CAD software.

Students will go through the below workshop and practice making the models. After practicing, they will design and print a keychain that they can take home with them. Students that wish can create a team and then design, or re-design, a drone to print and build.

3D Printing / Drone Building

We received a grant from IN-Mac last year that allowed us to buy a new 3D printer. We are using this to print, build, and program drones. This will (and has been used) in other areas of the club (FIRST Robotics teams, promotional items, etc.)

Students learn CAD, programming, fabricating, and other technical skills.

File Management & Proper Saving Techniques

We live in an ever computerized world. Knowing how to use a computer--its programs, applications, and hardware--properly is now an important life skill. That is why Superior STEAM has decided to show and teach the most important aspects of how to use a computer and how to manage the files that are on the computer. 

      1. Mac OS can be covered for those who need it.

Manufacturing Tools and How to Use Them

Students that competed in the previous season of FIRST Tech Challenge, learned for the first time how to build something that was not Legos. This meant that they had to use tools that were foreign to them. This summer, we will be teaching how to use those tools before the season starts so students are knowledgeable and comfortable with them for competition season.

Topics include:

This is not a compete list, all topics might not be covered.

Computer Systems

We live in an ever computerized world. Knowing how to use a computer--its programs, applications, and hardware--properly is now an important life skill. That is why Superior STEAM has decided to show and teach the most important aspects of how to use a computer and how to manage the files that are on the computer. 

Topics include:

    1. Mac OS can be covered for those who need it.