Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I know none of this is finalized, but could you give a general idea of how much extra work would be done on top of the regular build season activities to fulfill this part of the badge?

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Since the merit badge is not finalized, a lot of this is conjecture. All of us on the committee are aware of competitions such as FIRST, VEX, Lego League, etc. Depending on robotics team organization, a student/scout, may have varied exposure to different parts of the robot build. This is also under consideration.

This discussion thread is valuable to obtain insights and concerns of a larger robotics community. Keeps the ideas comin'. . .

Thanks

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I think Nuclear Science is a bad example. The best place to earn this merit badge would be a nuclear power plant and since 9/11 security at power plants is greatly increased.

I have the Nuclear Science merit and I was able to earn at a nuclear power plant, but that was because a couple of the dads in my troop worked at that power plant.

Nuclear Science is a hard merit badge to legitimately earn now a days but it's still possible and Robotics will probably be similar except it'll probably be easier get. I don't think either of these merit badges should be taught at summer camps, as a matter of fact there are quiet a few merit badges I don't think can be properly covered at summer camp but still are. Although if the Nuclear Science merit badge call exist then i say the Robotics Merit badge call exist, too.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

It's all up to the counselor. A good counselor will make sure the Scout fulfills the requirements exactly as written -- neither adding nor removing requirements. For what it's worth, there isn't a single requirement in Nuclear Science that would require a Scout to visit a nuclear power plant, and there is no reason that a Scout camp couldn't buy the equipment and provide the space to earn the new Robotics MB during a 4-1/2 day summer camp. It would be a big MB for a camp, but -- like Environmental Science -- you would still be able to do the MB if you dedicated the time to it.

You might want to withhold judgment until the MB is actually published.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Hey I'll back this up too although I'm obviously not a boy scout ;) I've always thought that if NHS, FBLA, etc. have stoles/tassels at graduation then FIRST should too, and this is sort of on the same page. Not sure how far you've already gotten with this, who have you tried to contact about it?

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I am not a Boy Scout - but SolidWorks has worked with Lemelson-MIT and the Boy Scouts to reintroduce the Inventing Merit Badge (it was around in the 1920's but faded when you had to get a patent to get the badge) go to www.SolidWorks.com/Scouts for more information. We have a series of tutorials to get you started and a link to the requirements. The phamplet directed to the scout master is very helpful; our customers helped out by providing models of some very cool products.

The Boy Scouts just celebrated their 100th year anniversary last week. They are open to new direction for the next 100 years that embraces technology. If you are involved with Robotics, you should also look at the electronics badge.

Marie

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

This is the other one that I have been excited about! I'm happy to see they have the pamphlet and badge all ready to go (http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/...nventing.aspx)!

I am very excited to see that scouts can get free access to SolidWorks. It has been my favorite cad program since the first run of the summer solidworks program in 2009.

Again, I can't earn these badges, but they look incredibly exciting. The two look like they will go together very well. A scout looking to earn one may want to consider doing both at once.


EDIT: Requirement 8a (see link above) is

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Even if you cant earn an inventing merit badge, you can still utilize the tutorials we provide to increase your own modeling and design skills.

Other tutorials are available at http://blogs.solidworks.com/teacher plus
you should go through the tutorials available under Help in the main toolbar.

As you advance your skills and want to work faster (less mouse travel, less mouse clicks), at 2010, try the "S" key. The most common commands pop up in the center of your graphics window and you can get a lot faster.

Remember for your team to apply to www.SolidWorks.com/SponsoredDesignContest to receive your software for your FIRST team or if you are a college student mentoring a FIRST team.

Marie

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Hey folks - Here is a picture of the 2010, BSA National Jamboree, Robotics Trading-Patch. Patch

I wonder what I could get for it on e-Bay? ;)

Blake

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Except for the incorrect colors, the round section in the middle is a sample of the new merit badge patch. (Unless BSA changes it ...)

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Greetings,

Sorry about being vague, but until we are close to completion with the text, we cannot say much: especially if a change is made. We can say that the technical committee has sent the requirements to the BSA Merit Badge review committee. The technical committee is well into composing the associated text for the MB book.

We think you'll like the result.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Actually the Invention (not Inventing) Merit Badge existed from 1911 to 1917.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Comeing off of a 1 month tour of my councils Boy Scout Camp, I can tell you theres a lot of hype for this Merit Badge in the General BSA community!!!!

Hope to have it before I turn 18 in a few years.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Hey I am an Eagle scout too and I heard from my council that the robotics merit badge is going to be add it to the list of merit badges you should check with your council and see if they have that up date too, and let me know if you need help finding it

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Read this: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=57