Become a MetalCow

Technology is best when it brings people together. - Matt Mullenweg

Students and Parents

Join MetalCow Robotics –

build a robot & your resume


MetalCow Robotics is a 4-H SPIN club that participates in FIRST Robotics Competition. The team is made up of students ages 13 to 18 from the McLean County area. Our members come from all local high-schools and the homeschool community. MetalCow students manage the business of the team and work together to create robots from the ground up.

As a member of MetalCow you will:

Learn business skills and leadership expertise
Build an 120lb competition robot
Be mentored by industry professionals
Develop a resume of career-ready skills

To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.

Dean Kamen, Founder

MetalCow Robotics is a hands-on team that builds from scratch.

Our students aquire STEM skills, build confidence, teamwork, public speaking skills, and learn from industry professionals.


Join Today!

Mentors build the students, students build the robot.

Skill building and mastery

Find your passion

MetalCow students choose the role that interests them. The most important qualities the team is looking for in members is an interest in learning new things, and an enthusiasm to apply those things in an organization with an innovative mentality. The skills our team needs are wide-ranging, and everyone does a little bit of everything. Don't worry if you are unsure of which role you will click with. Many times students join our team not knowing where they want to focus, but find their passion as they explore different roles.

Business & Marketing

The business team works to promote the team to investors and creates the written and visual materials for branding the team. They are responsible for award submissions, the website, managing the social media for the team and creating the printed material the team utilizes. Students with an interest in graphic design, marketing, social media management, or who see themselves as an entrepreneur and hope to run a business of their own someday would excel at the challenges in this department.



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Design & Manufacturing

The build team performs the manufacturing of the robot; creating and maintaining the physical aspect of the robots. Students learn proper build safety, how to turn Solidworks CAD plans into a physical object, electrical, and basic metal work skills. Students with an interest in mechanical design, electrical work, architecture, metalworking, or with a passion for hands-on creation would thrive in the immersive build experience offered by MetalCow Robotics and the FIRST program.



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Code & Electrical

Learn and use the Java programming language as well as electrical wiring and soldering to create the control system that brings life to the robot. Working as a team students will program the robot to run autonomously, and create a system to be operated by a human driver. They also have opportunities to create apps or build web sites. Students who enjoy coding, web design, have an interest in becoming a computer programmer, or electrical engineer would enjoy this aspect of the robotics team.



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MetalCow Robotics has been providing McLean County students a hands-on STEM education and career readiness experience since 2011.

A 4-H SPIN Club which competes in FIRST Robotics Competition, MetalCow Robotics is part of a 501.c.3 non-profit organization.

Contact Us


Address:
University of Illinois Extension
1615 Commerce Parkway
Bloomington, Illinois
Phone: + 1 (309) 663 8306
Email: [email protected]
Fax: + 1 (309) 663 8270

Sponsored By:


Rivian Automotive Bayer Fund Slack Ameren Growmark State Farm Foundations 4-H Timeless Clovers Bridgestone Country Financial Epson Milwaukee Tools McLean County Home Education SCADAware G3 State Farm Foundation Wilber Onshape Friends of MetalCow 4-H FIRST Robotics
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