A Girl Scout troop from Campbellsport and Eden visited Moraine Park Technical College this week, diving into the exciting world of automation and robotics to earn their robotics badges. Inside Moraine Park’s Automation, Innovation, and Robotics (AIR) Center, they explored how technology and robots are shaping the future.
David Allar, Quality and Advanced Manufacturing instructor at Moraine Park, started the visit with an introduction to the many types of robots—from humanoid robots that mimic human movement to healthcare robots assisting doctors, manufacturing robots assembling products, and entertainment robots bringing fun to movies and theme parks.
The scouts toured the AIR Center, following the journey of an idea from design to production. They learned how 3D printers create parts layer by layer, how CNC machines shape metal and plastic and learned how robots are used in industries around the world.
The highlight of the visit was when the girls got to build and design their own lego robots. Working in teams named “Chocolate Chip Brownie” and “Team Sparkle”, the scouts customized their robots by selecting faces, sounds and movements before competing in a friendly robot battle.
By the end of the visit, the scouts had not only earned their badges but also discovered the fun and creativity behind robotics and problem-solving. Experiences like these help introduce young girls to STEM fields, inspiring the next generation of innovators and engineers—one robot at a time.
