Everett's 'Hitchbot' Will Tour Lake Forest

LAKE FOREST, IL - Students at Everett Elementary School in Lake Forest will take part in their own project of Hitchbot, a Canadian robot explorer.

According to the school district, third graders started the school year with a social studies unit based on a character from a book by author Darcy Pattison. In the story, Oliver K. Woodman, a man made of wood, takes a spectacular cross-country journey across America. The unit was a comprehensive one integrating technology with map skills. With the recent travels of Hitchbot in the USA in July 2015, it was easy to make a real-life connection for the students.

Hitchbot, a Canadian robot that relied on the kindness and curiosity of strangers, successfully hitchhiked its way through Canada, Netherlands, and Germany. Unfortunately, Hitchbot had an abrupt ending two weeks into its travel in the USA.

The students wondered if this social experiment could be replicated with better success in Lake Forest. So the students began their quest of planning, designing, and creating their own version of Hitchbot. After five weeks, the various teams (in groups of 2-4) from all three third grade classes collaboratively completed their customized renditions of Hitchbot. Of the 22 Hitchbot creations, one was selected to venture out into our Lake Forest community.

Hitchbot 2 will begin its travel the week of December 14, with the goal of visiting various places on its Bucket List and returning to Everett School by early March 2016 in one piece. Hitchbot 2 is interested in making the following stops on its Bucket List in Lake Forest:

Sunset Foods

Lake Forest Hospital

Deer Path Middle School

Sweet Pete’s

Lake Forest Train Station (downtown)

Lake Forest Library

Lake Forest High School

Everett School

Everett students are depending on the kindness and curiosity of Lake Forest residents to take Hitchbot 2 around town. If you see Hitchbot 2, take a picture or video with it and take it to the next stop on the Bucket List. Tweet or email your picture or video to the following:

Twitter: @EvInnovation67

Hashtag: #everettsoars

Email: everettschool67@gmail.com

Website: http://everettirc.weebly.com