About the Project

What is GEAR-Tech-21?

GEAR-Tech-21 is an innovative curriculum that brings together robotics, GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Through this program, youth will:

• Build and program robots
• Operate a handheld GPS receiver
• Put your science, technology, engineering, and math skills to work
• Explore the outdoors
• Apply robotics, GPS, and GIS technologies to geo-tracking, navigation, and mapmaking
• Learn about the role of information technology in natural resources and precision agriculture
• Find out about careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics including robotics, GPS/GIS, natural resource management and agricultural technology
• Complete fun challenges and have the opportunity to compete in a virtual competition with other youth across the country.
• Prepare to compete in a FIRST LEGO League^® competition.
• The GEAR-Tech-21 project is based on the successful Nebraska Robotics and GPS/GIS in 4-H project. GEAR-Tech-21 is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Why is the project called GEAR-Tech-21?

The name stands for Geospatial And Robotics Technologies for the 21st Century.

Who can participate in GEAR-Tech-21?

The program is targeted for youth in grades 5-8. Existing 4-H clubs, after school groups, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, or any other group of interested youth may participate. You can even start your own 4-H Robotics Club!

What educational benefits will my group get by completing the GEAR-Tech-21 curriculum?

Each lesson has been aligned to national educational standards for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Initial studies from the summer 2007 and 2008 summer camps show a consistent increase in STEM skills in youth from the beginning to the end of the camps. In addition to academics, the curriculum teaches youth teamwork, problem solving, and confidence.

Starting a Club

What do I need to do to get a group started?

• Review “Start a Club” and other materials on the project’s website (http://4hset.unl.edu/). Fill out an interest form.
• Find everything you need to get started (a group of youth, adults to run the program, a meeting location, and required equipment)
• Register your group with the project
• Attend a training (recommended)
• Find an existing camp in your area, or coordinate one of your own.
• Get started & have fun!

What steps are required to register my group? How do I register my group with the project?

There are 3 steps to registering your group:

1. Register your group with the GEAR-Tech-21 project. Submit the registration form available on the website. This allows us to keep accurate participation date and will allow us to keep you updated about the program.
2. Register your group with your local 4-H county or state office. Nebraska 4-H will pass on your contact information to your local state office. You’ll need to become a “special interest” 4-H club and be sure that all of your adult volunteers undergo a 4-H background check.
3. If you’re participating with another organization (school, Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, etc.), be sure to follow that group’s registration procedures in addition to the two steps above. Many groups require adult volunteers to have background checks on file with their organization.

Do I have to register with 4-H in order to participate? Do we have to do other 4-H activities if my group becomes a 4-H club?

Yes, we require all groups to register with their local 4-H office in order to ensure all adult volunteers have completed a background check.

What equipment is required to do the curriculum?

See our Equipment Requirements page for more detailed information.

• Computers (Recommend 1 computer for every 2 youth)
• Internet access (For at least one adult leader)
• Robotics kits with software (LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT^® or CEENBot (Available Fall 2010)
• Handheld GPS units (Recommend 1 unit for every 2 youth)
• ESRI^® GIS Software (Clubs can obtain this information through a grant from ESRI. Application instructions are available at http://www.esri.com/industries/k-12/4-h/grants.html.)

Clubs may buy their own kits directly, use kits from schools or other local groups, raise money to buy kits, or request to borrow equipment through the club registration process.

How much does the program cost? Can we afford to do this program?

The curriculum is available to everyone for free. Professional development sessions are also free. Summer camps usually charge a fee to cover their costs. Camp fees vary depending on location, day or overnight camps, and food provided. The largest expense is equipment. Excluding computers, the equipment costs about $200 per student. Groups have many resources available to get equipment. Many schools have robotics kits, or other groups in your community may have kits available for club use. Groups can ask for money from local 4-H councils, schools, or local businesses to help purchase kits. Clubs might also choose to hold fundraisers to earn money to purchase equipment. Equipment will be available for clubs to borrow from Nebraska 4-H after the CEENbots are released in fall 2010.

Adult Leader Requirements & Resources

Do I have to be an engineer, a computer whiz, or a robotics expert to lead a club?

You do not need to be a robotics expert, computer whiz, or engineer to lead a Robotics Club, but will find the lessons easier to complete and teach if you have some previous technology experience.

How much time will I need to commit to this program?

• This is a two-year program. Students will start by attending a camp, then complete the school-year curriculum, return for a year 2 camp, and complete a second school-year of curriculum.
• The program is designed to start with a camp experience. You’ll need to either arrange for your students to attend an existing camp or organize a camp in your local area. Most camps are held in the summer and are usually week-long day camp or overnight camp events.
• Clubs will complete about 80 hours of school-year curriculum over 32 weeks. Many groups meet for two hours after school once a week.
• Adult leaders need to dedicate time to prepare and try out the activities before each lesson. Preparation takes an average of 1 hour per weekly session. Depending on your previous experience, you may take more or less time.
• All club leaders are encouraged to attend monthly 1-hour online trainings.

What resources will be provided to help me teach my club?

The curriculum covers about 80 hours of curriculum for each school year. The lessons are divided into months and weeks to help you plan your schedule. Each lesson includes full instructions for youth, supporting worksheets and other materials, and a leader guide. In addition, you’ll have access to leader blogs and wikis to ask questions of other club leaders. You can always contact the project staff for additional support as needed.

Will you train me on how to do the activities? Where are professional development opportunities offered?

Your primary opportunity for training is during the camp programs. We encourage at least one leader per club to attend camp with their group if at all possible. This will provide direct instruction for you as well as hands-on practice teaching the activities to youth. We are currently expanding professional development opportunities that are offered separately from the camps. Contact the project staff for more information about in-person training sessions. In addition to in-person training, online training/update sessions are offered once a month. These are the best times to ask questions and receive just-in-time information about upcoming activities without the need to travel.

Is there a way I can ask other club leaders questions or share my ideas for activities?

A blog and wiki is provided for all club leaders. We encourage you to network, ask questions, and share information between clubs. You’ll receive information on how to access the blog when you register your club with the project. Ask the project staff if you have questions on how to use these tools.

Curriculum Structure & Flexibility

Where do I get the curriculum?

The curriculum is available on the project’s website: http://4hset.unl.edu/. The leaders guides are password protected; the password will be provided when you register your club or you may request it before registering by contacting the project manager.

Do I have to purchase the curriculum or other resources?

The curriculum is available for free! As the project expands, small fees may be added to other components, such as the virtual competition and camp-in-a-box resources. If you have all the equipment, you won’t be required to purchase anything else in order to participate.

What is the structure of the curriculum?

• Begin with Camp.1.0: GEAR Explorers (usually a week-long day or overnight summer program). Camps are coordinated by Nebraska 4-H and by local volunteers across the country.
• Complete the Year 1 curriculum by attending regular meetings throughout the school year. (Most groups meet for 2 hours weekly. You can modify the schedule to meet your group’s availability.)
• Participate in the virtual competition each spring
• Attend Camp.2.0: In High GEAR (usually a week-long day or overnight summer program)
• Complete the Year 2 curriculum by attending regular meetings during a second school year.

What is provided for me in each lesson? Do I have to plan any activities by myself?

Each lesson includes complete instruction for youth, supporting worksheets and materials, and a step-by-step leader’s guide. Each school year includes over 80 hours of curriculum, divided into weekly 2-hour sessions. You’ll have plenty of material available to last a full school year, so you won’t have to add any activities if you choose not to do so.

I want to add an activity or field trip to the curriculum. Is that okay?

Yes! We encourage leaders to adapt the curriculum to their club’s needs. You might take a hike during a GPS lesson or visit a farm or other agricultural location in your community. You could also visit a location where robotics is being used in real life, such as a hospital, factory, or scientific research facility.

Is it okay that my group is taking longer than one week for each lesson?

Yes. Club leaders are the ones who will know their student’s needs the best. You can adapt the curriculum to match your students’ abilities and interests.

My group already knows some of the content of the curriculum. Can I skip a lesson or just go through it quickly?

Yes. Club leaders are the ones who will know their student’s needs the best. You can adapt the curriculum to match your students’ abilities and interests.

Curriculum Content

What is GPS?

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites that provides very precise, worldwide positioning and navigation information 24 hours a day, in any weather. GPS is often accessed through a hand-held GPS receiver and has a variety of applications on land, at sea and in the air. The most common airborne applications are for navigation by general aviation and commercial aircraft. At sea, GPS is also typically used for navigation by recreational boaters, commercial fishermen, and professional mariners. Land-based applications are more diverse. The scientific community uses GPS for its precision timing capability and position information. Surveyors use GPS for an increasing portion of their work. GPS is recreationally among hikers, hunters, snowmobilers, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers, and anyone who needs to keep track of where he or she is, to find his or her way to a specified location, or know what direction and how fast he or she is going can utilize the benefits of the global positioning system. GPS is now commonplace in automobiles as well for navigation and emergency roadside assistance systems. In addition to the curriculum, Garmin provides a good introduction to GPS that you can download at http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/manual.html.

What is GIS?

Geographic Information Systems are computer systems or software capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information (i.e., data identified according to their location). It’s often used to map where things are, including features and to show patterns, map quantities, map densities, find out what’s happening in a specific area, see what’s happening nearby a location, or to map change over a period of time. In addition to the curriculum, ESRI, the leading GPS software company, provides a good introduction to GIS at http://www.gis.com/whatisgis/index.html.

How difficult is it to build robots with the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT set? Is it hard to program the robots using the LEGO software?

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT set is intended for children ages 8 and above. Detailed instructions are provided for each piece of the curriculum. The LEGO software is icon based and easy to use for novice computer programmers.

What is the CEENbot?

The CEENbot is an educational robotics kit developed specifically for use by 4-H clubs completing the GEAR-Tech-21 Curriculum. The CEENbot is being developed by the SPIRIT 2.0 team at the University of Nebraska – Omaha, and is expected to be available for club use starting the fall of 2010. The project will still support the LEGO NXT kits, so clubs will be able to choose between the two types of kits. The CEENbot is intended to be more durable and suited for the outdoors than the LEGO robots and will include a built-in GPS receiver.