Saint Gilbert “Robo Rebels” Team Wins Programming Award

Inaugural Saint Gilbert “Robo Rebels” Team Wins Programming Award at 4th Annual 4-H Robotics Showcase

In October of 2016, over 32 students at Saint Gilbert Catholic School enthusiastically joined its newest extracurricular program – the Robotics Club. Integration of technology into its curriculum and overall approach to education has been a priority for Principal Brian Tekampe and the school’s 400 students. The newly formed Robotics Club is helping bring technology into the education process at Saint Gilbert Catholic School.

“When technology is readily available in classrooms, students are able to access the most up-to-date information quicker and easier than ever before. Technology helps the teachers prepare students for the real world environment. As our nation and world become increasingly more technology-dependent, it becomes even more necessary that to be successful citizens, students must learn to be tech-savvy. We are pleased that our Robotics Club provides our students another way to develop these technological skills.”

St. Gilbert Catholic School pioneered with the 4-H and the University of Illinois Extension to host the first Robotics Club. Lake County 4-H supplies each team with Lego Robotics kits through a grant from the State of Illinois. St. Gilbert Catholic School was able to receive 4 Robotics kits this year to start their team off. The school then purchased additional kits due to the popularity of the club. Three brave staff members offered to take leadership of the new club, Dr. Valerie Rickert – Junior High Science Teacher, Ms. Jeanine Fout – 5th Grade Science Teacher & Mrs. Lisa Kleber – School Technology Director.

Known as the “Robo Rebels”, the Saint Gilbert Robotics Club finished their inaugural season on April 8th, competing in the University of Illinois Extension 4th Annual 4-H Robotics Showcase-- the culminating event for University of Illinois Extension's Growing 4-H Science Robotics Clubs. Over 24 teams of middle school students from 13 different schools across Lake and McHenry counties competed at the event. After building their projects as a team and being judged by an expert panel, Saint Gilbert’s – contending in the “rookie” bracket as first time entrants in the competition, had a big surprise awaiting them at the award ceremony.

Mrs. Lisa Kleber explained, “After some frustrations, and times of pure joy when our robots did what we wanted them to -- the awards ceremony began. Being our first year, we had no idea what to expect and we were excited and hopeful that we might win the Rookie trophy. I could literally feel the air come out of the kids sails when St. Gilbert's was not announced as the winning Rookie team..”

Saint Gilbert’s disappointment quickly turned to exuberance and joy when they were announced as the winners of the Programming award. This award is given to the team who has written the best program to move their robot around the board and accomplish the tasks that were selected for the challenge. “This is a major accomplishment for a first year team” said Ms. Sandra Prez, 4-H Youth Educator Leader for Lake County and Director of the 4-H Robotics Showcase.

Joe Burke, a 7th grade student at Saint Gilbert, commented on the proud accomplishment of his “Robo Rebels” team, saying, "I'm really surprised we won because we had problems with the programming while we were trying to get our robots to work. We had to work together and use resources other than our teachers to solve the problems on our own. We kept trying and solved most of the problems right before the competition. I'm really excited to program again in Robotics Club next year!"

This is just the beginning for an exciting new club at St. Gilbert Catholic School.

Schools that might be interested in creating their own Robotics Clubs can partner with the Lake County 4-H by contact Sandra Prez, Youth Educator Leader for Lake County at 847-223-8627 or email sprez@illinois.edu

For more information about Saint Gilbert Catholic School, please visit http://www.stgilbertschool.org or call 847-223-8600.

(Pictured from left to right are: Mrs. Lisa Kleber, Melissa George, Charlie Mottola, Joe Burke, Michael Gargiulo, and Brian Szczech. Not pictured: Jaxsen Rosales, and Andersen Ptasienski)