It’s one thing to program and build a robot; it’s another thing to do it as a team. This statewide event is an opportunity for youth enrolled in 4-H robotics to demonstrate their learning, celebrate their accomplishments, and interact with others who share an interest in robotics. Robotics clubs may compete as a team in the annual State 4-H Robotics Competition. The contest tests a club’s ability to work together creatively to solve a set of tasks.
Save the date: May 2, 2026!
2026 Illinois 4-H Robotics Challenge: ArchaeoBot
“Archaeology is not about the past. It is about the future.”
- Sir Mortimer Wheeler
Every artifact we have uncovered throughout history holds a story. Each tool, each innovation, and each work of art connects us to the people and ideas that came before us. Using STEM skills and teamwork, participants will design and program an ArchaeoBot to simulate real-world archaeological fieldwork. Tasks are ordered from lower to higher difficulty, and teams may complete tasks in any order unless otherwise specified.
***New Competition Component: RoboSumo***
Due to its growing popularity and enthusiastic participation from youth over the past three Illinois 4-H Robotics Competitions, RoboSumo will now be included as an official competition component of the event. Previously offered as an optional, fun activity, RoboSumo has become a highly anticipated experience for teams and spectators alike. In response, RoboSumo has been formally incorporated to expand competitive opportunities and highlight additional robotics skill sets beyond autonomous programming.
RoboSumo is a head-to-head robotics competition organized and led by CFI Robotics NFP (Center for Future Innovators). In this event, two remote-controlled robots compete inside a sumo-style ring with the objective of pushing the opposing robot out of the ring or rendering it unable to continue competing.
Teams of two (2)/individuals are encouraged to participate and experience this exciting, optional addition to the Illinois 4-H Robotics Competition. Youth Do Not have to be a part of a team to participate.
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The ArchaeoBot Challenge will take place at the McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington, IL on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026. Team registration will open February 2, and will close April 2, 2026. There will be a $20 Entry fee per team assessed at the time of registration. All Health Forms are due at time of registration and will be accessible through the registration link. An in depth webinar will be held on February 11th, 7 PM. Please attend to ask your questions and hear details about the challenge.
Challenge Download/Documents Folder: https://go.illinois.edu/2026CHALLENGE
Register Here on February 2, 2025: https://go.illinois.edu/4HR2026
Informational Webinar Q&A: February 11, 2026, 7:00 PM CST
We will also be hosting an informational Zoom Webinar to answer any questions you may have regarding the competition, registration, or tasks. Teams and coaches alike are encouraged to attend this session. It will be held on February 11th, 2026 at 7:00 PM CST.
Topic: ArchaeoBot Challenge Information Webinar
Time: Feb 11, 2026 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/83359563935?pwd=oSO2B0aYPw7qcVU4PdmrjxrX7HuPWk.1
Meeting ID: 833 5956 3935
Password: 064726
Thank you, and we hope to see you there!
Illinois 4-H STEM
Competition Task Questions: Keith Jacobs, kjaco4@illinois.edu
Event/ Registration Details: Jessica Hays, jnhays@illinois.edu
