Nebraska 4-H

Robotics Expansion Event

March 20-21, 2026

Youth participating in a Robot Expansion Event

Content

On-Campus Opportunities

2026 Campus Experiences

UNL Engineering Ambassadors: Roller Coaster Engineering!

Roller Coaster Engineering invites students to explore the physics and engineering behind one of the most exciting real-world designs. Through concepts like potential and kinetic energy, gravity, friction, and acceleration, participants discover how engineers create rides that are both thrilling and safe. During the showcase, students can see how these principles come to life as they design and test miniature roller coasters using foam tubing and marbles, applying teamwork, creativity, and the engineering design process in a hands-on way.

  • Building Location: Second floor of Kiewit Hall 
  • Length of Activity: 45 Minutes
  • College: College of Engineering
  • Tour Schedule: Friday Only: NOON, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Kiewit Hall Tour Experience

Opened in January 2024, the privately funded, $115 million Kiewit Hall is the new academic hub for engineering education. The building features flexible state-of-the-art classrooms, teaching labs, and a maker space with equipment for woodworking, machining and 3D printing. 

  • Building Location: Second floor of Kiewit Hall 
  • Length of Activity: 20 Minutes
  • College: College of Engineering
  • Tour Schedule: Friday Only: NOON, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM
POWER UP YOUR STRATEGY. SAVE THE GRID!

Do you like board games? Come try Microgrid Mastermind

Become a Grid Keeper in this high-energy, cooperative strategy game for 1–6 players! In Microgrid Mastermind, you and your team must work together to design, build, and protect a resilient energy grid using real-world concepts like renewable energy, infrastructure planning, and smart resource management.

 But watch out….storms strike, systems fail, and even squirrels can sabotage your lines! Can your team adapt, strategize, and prevent total blackout?

 Created by students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and supported by the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research and Nebraska Public Power District, this game blends hands-on STEM learning with fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat gameplay.

-Cooperative strategy for 1–6 players
-Real-world energy challenges
-Unpredictable events & dynamic gameplay

Think ahead. Work together. Keep the lights on.

Are you ready to master the grid?

  • Activity Location: Cook Pavilion
  • Length of Activity: 45 Minutes
  • College: Biological Systems Engineering
  • Game Schedule: Friday Only: NOON, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Changing the World in the Raikes School

The Raikes School weaves computer science and business education into a single thread of innovation, educating top tier students in a unique process designed to transform them into innovators who can and will change the world. During this activity, you'll get to see the Kauffmann Center, home of the Raikes School, while utilizing creative problem solving to complete a challenge. Test your building skills and see if your creation can stand up to remote control cars!

Creative Robotics in the Entertainment Industry and Beyond!

Come check out Emerging Media Arts in the Carson Center! Get a brief look at the work our faculty and students are doing that incorporates robotics, AI training, and the entertainment industry.

Discover 4 Billion Years of Wonder at Morrill Hall

Located in the heart of Lincoln on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln City Campus, Morrill Hall is home to the University of Nebraska State Museum — Nebraska’s premier museum of natural history since 1871.

Stand beneath the world’s largest articulated Columbian mammoth-- Archie. Explore a Jurassic dinosaur gallery, discover Nebraska’s rich biological diversity and cultural heritage, and experience hands-on science exhibits for all ages. Don’t miss the Mueller Planetarium for an unforgettable journey through the cosmos.

With four floors of interactive exhibits, cutting-edge research, and ever-changing temporary displays, Morrill Hall is a must-see destination for families, curious minds, and anyone ready to explore the natural world — past, present, and beyond.

  • Building Location: Morrill Hall, 645 North 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68588-0338
  • Length of Tour: Self-paced
  • Website: University of Nebraska State Museum-Morrill Hall 
  • Hours on Friday: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM 
  • Discount: All participating members will receive a $1 off of admission to the University of Nebraska State Museum at Morrill Hall. Just use the code “Morrill4H” online or in person when purchasing your tickets.”
  • Ticket Pricing after Discount:
    • Adults (ages 12+): $12.00
    • Children (ages 3-11): $6.50
    • Young Children (under 3): Free
    • Museums for All (with SNAP, EBT, or WIC Card): Free 
    • Museum Members, UNL NCard Holders, ASTC Members, Blue Star (active-duty military, guard, reserves & families with ID): Free

 

 

 

2026 Industry Partners

UNL Biological Systems Engineering AIR Lab Agricultural Drones

Showcase how UNL uses agricultural drones and AI to help farmers

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Activity: 5-10 minutes

Saturday Only.

UNL Biological Systems Engineering: MAARS LAB (MACHINE AUTOMATION & AGRICULTURAL ROBOTICS LAB)

This demonstration showcases advanced technologies used in modern agricultural automation and robotics for improving efficiency, precision, and sustainability in farming. The activity highlights how robotics, sensors, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems are integrated into agricultural machinery to perform tasks such as crop monitoring, weed detection, precision spraying, and autonomous field operations.

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Activity: 30-40 minutes

Saturday Only.

FIRST Tech Challenge

During the FIRST LEGO League Championship, we’re excited to offer a hands-on FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) experience for students and families! This interactive station will give younger participants the chance to drive real FTC robots, see how they operate up close, and learn what it takes to be part of a competitive robotics team. 

Students will: 

  • Take turns driving FTC robots on a mini field 
  • Learn about robot design, programming, and strategy 
  • Talk with current FTC team members and mentors 
  • Discover how to join an existing team or start a new FTC team at their school, church, or community organization 

This experience is designed to bridge the gap between FLL and FTC, helping students see what’s next in their robotics journey. Whether they are ready to level up or just curious about robotics, this is a fun, engaging way to explore opportunities in STEM and competitive robotics.

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Activity: 10-20 minutes

Friday and Saturday.

Nucor (Information Coming Soon for 2026!): 

 

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Activity: 

Friday and Saturday.

Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. USA: STEM Activities in Relation to Manufacturing 

OnShape 3D Cad demo, Bricklink Studio demo, and Industrial Robot demo!

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Walk-Up Activity: variable 

Friday and Saturday.

Southeast Community College Advanced Technologies and Skilled Trades Division

Learn about Astro the Robotic Dog and Nao the humanoid robot and how they are programmed!

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Activity: 5-10 minutes

Friday and Saturday.

HDR

Description coming soon!

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Activity: 10-20 minutes

Friday and Saturday.

Behlen MFG / Mason Road MFG: 3D Printing & Virtual Reality Welding

Check out 3D printing items and welding simulator!

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Walk-Up Activity: 5-10 minutes

Saturday Only.

Don't Panic Labs: Maze Solving and Binary Bracelets

Make a bead bracelet of your initials using binary code. Also attempt to code your way through mazes!

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Walk-Up Activity: 10-20 minutes

Saturday Only.

Rensenhouse: 1 Minute Robot Programming

Program a Robotic arm by hand!

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Walk-Up Activity: 5-10 minutes

Friday Only.

Huffman Engineering, Inc.: Programming your Future with Huffman Engineering

Showcasing how simple programming changes and inputs alter the outputs and how you can transform engineering for good!

Building Location: Cook Pavilion (Entrance to the City Campus Recreation Center)

Length of Walk-Up Activity: 5-10 minutes

Friday Only.

 

FIRST Tech Challenge Information Session

FIRST Tech Challenge Information Session

Location: Nebraska Union, Swanson Auditorium

Demonstration Times (30-minutes): Friday Only: 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM

Are you aging out for FIRST LEGO League Challenge and want to see what could be next in your passion of robotics? Come check out the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) demonstration in the Nebraska Union on Friday, March 20! Meet current FTC team members, ask questions, and check out their robots!