Welcome!

This website features a program that combines the outdoors with robotics and science! This free program is developed by the University of Minnesota, aiming to provide middle school students a fun and engaging experience in using robots and science to learn about and care for the world around them. 

Here on this website, you can find all the information and resources you need for you and your team of motivated students to learn how to be citizen scientists: to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV); to measure the water quality of a lake near you; and to share and compare your measurements with others across the state who have participated and are participating in this very program!

If you are a middle school student interested in robots or the environment, this program is for you! Gather a few adults and invite your friends! Our program launch for this summer is starting now!

You can learn more about the program’s content overview, survey the program’s equipment and supplies, and connect with us on Slack (coming soon). When you are ready to dive in, you can sign up for our summer program launch (which is coming soon)!

This program is graciously supported by the State of Minnesota’s Environmental Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), provided by approval of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). 

The units of the University of Minnesota that have collaborated to create this program include UMN Extension, the CFANS Department of Soil, Water and Climate, and the Minnesota Robotics Institute housed in CSE. Additionally, this program would not be possible without the invaluable collaboration of the nonprofit High Tech Kids.