Oneida County 4-H Robotics

Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Today

Oneida County 4-H has an exciting opportunity to support youth in our community through the Oneida County 4-H Robotics! As we prepare for the upcoming 4-H robotics season, we are seeking local partners who believe in investing in young people, innovation, and the future workforce of Oneida County.

Oneida County 4-H Robotics gives youth the chance to:

• Build confidence through hands-on engineering and problem-solving
• Strengthen teamwork, communication, and leadership
• Develop early coding and technology skills
• Explore STEM pathways that can lead to high-demand careers
• Discover that innovation is fun, collaborative, and accessible

These are the skills that help shape future engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs, and community leaders—right here at home.

In just two years of offering a middle-school robotics program, Oneida County teams earned the FIRST LEGO League Core Values Award at the Wisconsin Regional Tournament in both 2024 and in 2025. Winning this award twice demonstrates that our youth are not only learning robotics—they are learning how to collaborate, communicate, and lead with integrity.

Why We Need Your Support

Robotics is an incredible opportunity, but it is also an expensive one. Technology upgrades for the new 4-H/FIRST Lego League Future season, robot kits, laptops, registration fees, and tournament travel add up quickly. Without sponsorship, fees to participate would range from $100–$200 per student or more, which would limit access for many youth. Our goal is to keep STEM opportunities affordable and accessible for all families in Oneida County.

Your sponsorship directly supports:

• Robotics kits and technology
• Team registration and tournament fees
• Supplies, equipment, and learning materials
• Scholarships for youth with financial need

We also welcome in-kind donations, including technology, materials, or professional expertise.

Your support helps ensure that young people in Oneida County have access to high-quality STEM learning that prepares them for future careers, while also inspiring them to build their futures right here in our community.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in our youth, our workforce, and the future of Oneida County.

With gratitude,

Jenny Styer Tuckey, President

Oneida County 4-H Robotics

Oneida County 4-H Robotics

Vision

To inspire Oneida County youth to thrive as curious, capable, and compassionate innovators who use technology, teamwork, and creativity to build a better future for themselves and their communities.

Mission

To advance positive youth development in Oneida County by supporting high‑quality robotics, engineering, and technology programs; empowering volunteers; expanding equitable access to science, technology, engineering, and math learning; and fostering youth leadership, problem‑solving, and service through hands‑on 4‑H experiences.

Why 4-H Robotics is a Powerful Partnership

4-H has a long history of helping young people grow through positive youth development, mentorship, and experiential learning. By pairing robotics with the 4-H model, students receive:

• A safe, supportive environment
• Caring adult mentors
• Opportunities for leadership and community involvement
• A program that is accessible, inclusive, and rooted in youth empowerment

This combination creates a robotics experience that is not only educational, but transformative.

History

Oneida County 4‑H first offered Lego robotics programming in 2010-2014, made possible thanks to volunteer support. After that initial effort, the program went dormant for nearly a decade.

In 2023, robotics returned with the launch of two 4-H / FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) Explore teams for youth in grades 2-4. Both teams wrapped up their season by proudly presenting their projects to families.

As participants aged out, their excitement for continued participation created momentum for expansion. In 2024, Oneida County 4‑H launched its first middle‑school FLL Challenge team in Rhinelander and added new Explore teams in Three Lakes. The Rhinelander Challenge team competed in its first regional tournament, earning the CORE Values Award and advancing to Sectionals thanks to their teamwork.

Growth continued in 2025 with two middle‑school Challenge teams—one in Rhinelander and one in Three Lakes—along with Explore teams in both communities. That summer, 4‑H also introduced a Robo‑Camp at Nicolet Area Technical College for grades 4–5, giving youth hands‑on experience with robotics and coding. The Rhinelander middle school Challenge team again earned the CORE Values Award at Regionals and earned a spot at Sectionals.

Between 2023 and 2025, nearly 50 youth received hands-on experiences with Lego robotics, with many discovering robotics for the first time. Looking ahead, Oneida County 4‑H is striving to expand team offerings, strengthen volunteer training, deepen partnerships with other organizations, and offer additional camps and workshops. Today a new Oneida County 4-H Robotics planning group has been established to guide the mission, structure, and programming of the county’s robotics efforts so youth have meaningful, hands‑on STEM opportunities that build skills, leadership, and community engagement.

Continued collaboration with local businesses and community partners will play a vital role in sustaining this growth and ensuring every young person curious about STEM has a place to learn and thrive.

What is FIRST©?

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

FIRST is More Than Robots. At FIRST participation is proven to encourage students to pursue education and careers in STEM-related fields, inspire them to become leaders and innovators, and enhance their 21^st century work-life skills.

Coopertition produces innovation. At FIRST, Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.

FIRST Core Values

We express the FIRST philosophies of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition through our Core Values:

• Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
• Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
• Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
• Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
• Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
• Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do.

Together, We Can Close the Technology Gap

Northern Wisconsin faces a growing technology and opportunity gap that limits young people’s access to high‑quality STEM learning. While STEM careers are expanding across the state, rural youth often have few or no pathways to explore robotics, coding, or engineering.

In 2025, of the more than 300 middle school FIRST LEGO League teams registered statewide, Oneida County 4‑H’s teams were the only ones offered within 100 miles. Many local schools do not offer robotics or coding clubs, and there are no out‑of‑school STEM clubs or groups for students in grades K–8 anywhere in Oneida County for students in public, private, or homeschool. This means many Northwoods youth reach high school or post-secondary schools without ever experiencing hands‑on STEM learning.

Wisconsin’s STEM workforce is growing faster than non‑STEM fields. Wisconsin business leaders cannot find the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent they need. Early exposure is critical: students who engage with STEM in elementary and middle school are far more likely to pursue advanced coursework and STEM careers later on (Source: Vital Signs: Wisconsin (Change the Equation, 2017), via ERIC).

Without intentional investment, rural students risk being left behind as technology advances.

Strong partnerships with local businesses and community organizations are essential to:

• Expand robotics and engineering programs
• Provide mentors and real‑world expertise
• Build pathways from youth programs into local careers
• Ensure rural students have the same opportunities as their urban peers

A Stronger Future for the Northwoods

By expanding STEM access today, we prepare young people for the high‑demand careers shaping Wisconsin’s future. With continued collaboration from community and business partners, Oneida County 4‑H can ensure every young person curious about robotics, coding, or engineering has a place to explore, grow, and thrive.

Become a Sponsor Today

Oneida County 4-H Robotics Sponsorship Levels

Your sponsorship helps youth explore STEM, teamwork, problem‑solving, and innovation. Thank you for considering an investment in our community’s future!

Premier Sponsor – $1,000+

Benefits include:

• Top‑of‑shirt logo placement (largest size)
• Logo included in all press releases
• Dedicated social media spotlight post
• Business sponsor plaque
• Logo on team banner and event materials
• Invitation to meet‑the‑team/demo day

Gold Sponsor – $500

Benefits include:

• Toplogo placement (large) on team shirts
• Added to press releases
• Dedicated social media spotlight post
• Business sponsor plaque

Silver Sponsor – $250

Benefits include:

• Logo placement (medium) on team shirts
• Social media shout‑out

Bronze Sponsor – $100

Benefits include:

• Logo placement (small) on team T‑shirt
• Social media thank‑you post

Friend of 4‑H Robotics – $25–$99

Ideal for: Anyone who wants to support local youth robotics!

Benefits include:

• Name listed on our website or social media “Friends” list