Category Archives: Outreach 2026

State Fair 2026

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On August 22nd, Team Neutrino presented our 2026 robot Halcyon at the Iowa State Fair. The team showcased the robot at the MidAmerican Energy Stage, letting fair attendees learn about our team, take turns feeding the robot, and watch it shoot fuel into a makeshift goal. Additionally, we displayed our robot in the 4-H Exhibits building while providing activities for kids to learn as they passed by. We also enjoyed the atmosphere of the fair, eating unhealthy (but very delicious) treats, hunting for cold pickles, and visiting cute bunnies. We would like to thank 4-H and MidAmerican for graciously allowing us the opportunity to visit the fair, and we look forward to coming again next year!

4th of July Parade 2026

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Team Neutrino participated in the annual Ames 4th of July Parade this year, showing off our 2026 robot Halcyon while throwing candy to onlookers. In keeping with the patriotic theme, our team members dressed up the robot with flags, streamers, and topped it off with Uncle Sam’s hat. Afterward, students walked through downtown Ames, carrying Team Neutrino’s banner and tossing candy to hundreds of spectators. This event was a great opportunity to display our robot to the wider Ames community, and our team members had a great time being part of the parade. We’re excited to be part of next year’s parade!

2026 FLL Blastoff!

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This year, from June 15th to June 19th and June 22nd to June 25th, Team Neutrino held the 3rd annual youth summer camps for 4-5th and 6-8th graders to participate in a mock FIRST LEGO League (FLL) season. Through FLL Blastoff, we inspire kids to join the thriving FLL community in Ames and pursue STEM in the future. Members of Team Neutrino spent countless hours planning and preparing for FLL Blastoff, even through the intensive build and competition seasons. We also dedicated our Outreach Camp to train camp leaders and volunteers, ensuring a well-executed camp where students are able to learn how to build and codea LEGO Spike Prime robot to complete missions.

This year, we chose the 2023 FLL game, Super Powered, challenging campers to complete various missions with their robot such as turning a LEGO windmill and moving a LEGO dinosaur. The campers loved the dinosaur mission, which gave students an opportunity to use their imaginations to come up with unique ways to push the dinosaur across the field! On the final day, we ran 4-6 actual matches, giving the campers an opportunity to see their hard work in action during a mock FLL competition.

We can’t wait for the next FLL season this fall!