Michael Bracht mentors youth through robotics program

Michael Bracht mentors youth through robotics program

Michael Bracht is receiving the Emerging Adult Volunteer Award for Zone 8.

In observance of the Week of the Volunteer, Nebraska 4-H is proud to celebrate some of the 2023 Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Award Winners.

Michael Bracht is receiving the Emerging Adult Volunteer Award for Zone 8. Michael volunteers with the Burt County 4-H program and was nominated by Stacey Keys, Nebraska Extension Assistant in Burt County.

As a member, Michael discovered his spark through the 4-H robotics program, which led him to pursue a mechanical engineering degree. Though he started college in 2019, he still makes time to come home and share his passion with Burt County 4-H members. Every year, Michael mentors the Mindstormers FIRST LEGO League team. He helps them with their challenge and supports them during competitions. Michael also helps with robotics and rocketry workshops throughout the summer. He is always finding creative ways to teach youth how to program and build robots.

Tell us about yourself.

I am a senior attending Iowa State University studying mechanical engineering. Since I was a freshman in high school, I have mentored a 4-H First Lego League robotics club. As a mentor, I teach several members how to build and program robots, as well as lead 4-H robotics and rocket camps. I volunteer as an assistant for the judge of the technology exhibits and do STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and math) demonstrations at the county fair.

What do you look forward to when you step into your volunteer role?

Watching the innovation of the 4-H and robot club members as they solve problems related to the robot or other technology projects

What is your favorite memory as a 4-H volunteer?

Attending State First Lego League competition with the club.

How have you helped youth find their spark through 4-H?

I have helped youth find their spark by introducing them to STEM fields, especially rockets and robots. This includes showing new members how to set up a rocket to launch safely, program robots to complete a task as well as create effective documentation for their project.