Robotics Merit Badge
 

Hey-
I am an active Boy Scout in addition to being addicted to Robotics. Many of the members of my troop have become interested in the field since the Championship event. I have become interested in organizing/creating a Robotics Merit Badge.
It is an ambitious undertaking, but not an unprecedented one. Steven Spielberg felt that there should be a merit badge focusing on the art of cinematography. He felt so strongly about it that he sponsored an application to the national council. His request was approved and thus was born the Cinematography badge. I think that with the support of Dean Camen we could successfully petition for the creation of a Robotics Merit Badge.
I don't know if anyone else is interested in this possibility, but since Chief Delphi is one of the more active online communities I thought it would be wise to gather support here for the idea first. So go ahead and let me know what you think of the idea.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

He won't support you if you spell his name wrong. ;)

But I think it'd be a great idea. One of my friends is an avid boy scout. Due to his commitment to that, he doesn't have the time to join robotics. A robotics merit badge would give him more experience.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

As an Eagle Scout, I'd love to help. Let me know what I can do.

-Bill

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I believe there is time for both. I am an eagle scout and was on robotics. I believe that it is something that could go in tandem.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Well I suppose the first step would to be coming up with the basic requirments for the merit badge. I think it should cover the basics of Robotics. It has got to cover electronics, drive train and programming. The desgin process should be thrown in thier too.
Centering the Merit Badge around a project would help tie all the components togther, not to mention making it easy for FIRST particapants to earn. At the same time it needs to stay flexible enough that people with no contact with FIRST can earn it with relative ease.
I will try and get a basic write up done. I will either post it here or possibly in the White Papers section.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Uh, forgot to post this in my last one....sorry about messing up Dean's name. I am a horrible speller.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Following the current merit badge structure, I would propose something along thses lines.

1. Explain the basic functions and subsystems of a robot and what each do.

2. Explain robotics's impact on the world.

3. Explain 3 uses for robotics.

4. Do one of the following:
A. Visit a facility that uses robotics.
B. Construct a robot out of Lego's to achieve a simple task autonomously.
C. Visit a local FIRST team.

5. Explain the robotics design process.

6. Explain 3 ways that robots directly affect your life.

I'm sure I'm leaving something out....I need feedback....Watcha think?

-Bill

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I think the requirments should be along this line.

1. Explain the current uses of Robotics

2. Explain the Desgin Proccess and disscuss it's applications to robotics.

3a. use the desgin process to desgin a robot to acomplish a task set by your merit badge consolor.
3b. Explain the uses of electonics in your project robot and comercial robots.
3c. Disscuss what machinary would be required to maufacture the project robot.
3d. Create a Timetable for creating your project robot.
3e. Determine the price for creating your project robot.

4. Visit a organazation that uses robots (Comercial Plant, Police Station, FIRST team)

5a. Research difrent programs that encourage the use of robotics.
5b. Give a 5 min presentation on one of the programs to your troop.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Will,
There is already a robotics merit badge in the works. I know that a former Motorola employee is pusuing this with the national office. He spoke to me about it last year. It couldn't hurt to follow it up with a letter to national asking about the progress just to help it along.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I am glad to see this. There are already several merit badges that have requirements that relate to robotics. A single merit badge to tie everything together is certainly needed.

Hmmm Our Council limits merit badge counselors to being registered for six merit badges at a time. I still have one slot open, think I could qualify? :D

ChrisH
Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 4673, Pacifica District, LA Council
Merit Badge Councilor for:
Cycling
Pioneering
Emergency Preparedness
Engineering
Modeling

Among other responsibilities

PS gwross, Chief Delphi's local grammar curmudgeon, is our Scoutmaster

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I am also very active in Boy Scouts and FIRST Robots. A Robots merit badge would a great thing.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

A Robotics Merit Badge would be a nice way to bring in new Team members and expand FIRST's exposure as well. I was attracted to FIRST by the common underlying FIRST and BSA precepts.

For the past few FIRST seasons our Troop SPL & ASPLs have happened to be on the Team. A quarter of our Team is typically made up of Scouts in any given year, and two of the adult mentors are also Scoutmasters. Our Troop schedule miraculously complements the FIRST travel schedule, however, the Scouts tend to disappear for several long weekends during the FIRST build season.

All my MB counselor slots are filled, but I can drop a little used MB and replace it with a Robotics MB.

Scoutmaster Troop 343
Matinecock District
Suffolk County Council
Hauppauge, NY

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

As an Eagle Scout, let me know what I can do to help...

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Ditto - me too :)

I'm still a registered scouter with my original troop now - Troop 27 out of Syracuse. This would be interesting :D

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Sounds awesome, if you need any help feel free to ask me. :]

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

With robotics becoming prominent in our world today I think a robotics merit badge is becoming more and more necessary.I'd be happy to help just let me know what is needed. My friend and I are in the same troop and on the same team, and we have talked about a robotics merit badge several times.

Joe Jagadics
Life Scout
ASPL and Quartermaster
BSA Troop 1539
Been to:
Philmont Scout Ranch and Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I wish we could identify the lead person and help them to get this done - I know it is sometimes a political battle to get a new merit accepted but this one would be great. It is always good to see that souting is alive in many arenas. Let me know if there is any way I can help to further this cause.


Ken York
Father of 1 Eagle Scout and 2nd on his way (I hope)
Troop 509 committe member and couselor
Woodbadger SR301 FOX patrol
and of course Team 476 mentor

PS I love to torture Life scouts in their last BOR before Eagle.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Oh... So you are one of those kinda guys :eek: :D I think each troop has at least one.

It was hard enough to get my Eagle (They held onto me for a year and a half) let alone my Bronze Palm. The 4 guys had never sat on a Palm BOR before and as such it lasted over an hour. That was really annoying.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Yep that is me - not really - I have a set of questions and it usually only thanks around 45 mins to and hour. By the time a scout gets there in our troop they know the routime pretty well and usually have no trouble.
I want to ensure that a scout has the principles of scouting down and what it means to them to be an eagle scout.
and Palm reviews are usually prety easy - I am curious how yours was in your troop

PS Bonus question --- where was the first scout troop in America located?

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

An Eagle Scout I am! i would love to help


dont forget to investigate the othere aspects of robotics. IE battlebots, car building robots, and autonomous helping robots. this would cover the entire feild or robotics.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I am also a boy scout in troop 172 out of Milford, MI. I am currently working on getting eagle as well as extremely active participation on my robotics team. (I just returned (2 hours ago :p ) from a trip to Acadia National Park in Maine, with my troop.)
I think that would be great to have a robotics merit badge! I would definately take it :D
I have started an annual robotics night in my troop, where a few team members and I, bring in the current year's robot and show it to the scouts and talk about FIRST.

-Pat McCarthy
Star Scout
BSA Troop 172, Milford Mi
Clinton Valley Council
-And-
HOT Team Member and Webmaster

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

A Robot Merit Badge is an excellent idea. I was head of a committee to rewrite the Engineering Merit Badge. It was published several years ago in time for the last National Jamboree. If you need advice, let me know.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

.

A Robot Merit Badge is a great idea. I was head of a committee to rewrite the Engineering Merit Badge several years ago. It was published in time for the last National Jamboree. Let me know if you need advice or help.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I agree fully for I am being kicked out in about 2 years

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Yea, a Robotics Merit Badge would be great. as an eagle scout, i believe such a badge would not only be a fun one, but a learning experience. hopefully national council will comply

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

As a member of scouts and robotics I beleive that a robotics merit bagde would be great. I know other people that are in scout and want to do robotics but they are to busy to to so. I hope that something will follow thew before I turn 18. :)

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Hey guys,
Don't forget that electricity merit badge has some requirements that can be passed through robot building. Be sure to check with the counselor in your area for details and special needs. Invite him/her to a robot meeting.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I would looooove to see something like this come about!

I am an Eagle Scout of BSA Troop 15 here in Warren, Ohio and a Robotics Merit Badge would be AWESOME towards an Eagle Palm!!

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Good Point Al - also the electronics - computer and the metal working merit badge. We did quite a bit of brake and shear work on our this year. Graphics arts for your team logo or t shirt design. Be resourceful
I would still love to see a merit badge incorporated for robotics.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I think it an awsome idea. I rember bits of stuff scout related (used to be a girls scout). I feel that if pulled off it could be one of he top rewards reviced.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

It would be totally awesome to have a robotics merit badge but until then just try to involve in into other meritbadges...

Like we our sponsored by a local Nuclear Power Plant that also hosts a Merit Badge-O-Ree. Among the 15 or 20 merit badges they offer electricty and engineering of which for both we have brought in one of our past robots to show offer various components and let them drive the bot around.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Getting a new Merit Badge approved is a difficult and time consuming process. I heard from Someone Who Knows These Things that a new MB can cost $75,000 to launch. Also, BSA tries to keep the number of total MBs at around 120, so they need to identify an unpopular MB to replace with a new one. Another problem is that MBs are in categories (sports, Eagle-required, hobby-oriented, career-oriented, etc.) and BSA tries to keep this balance. The biggest change over the last 30 years or so has been the collapse of the agricultural MBs from a whole bunch (20 or so?) down to a handful.

For my part, rewriting Computers would come before adding Robotics, not that I am unsympathetic to the idea. If you want to add a new MB you might want to think about which MB you would want to replace. You can see a complete list at www.meritbadge.com. My choice would be American Business or Plant Science, both of which are earned by fewer than 1,000 scouts per year. Perhaps American Business could be combined with Entrepeneurship and Plant Science with Gardening?

Anyway. getting a new MB approved takes several years and a lot of work. Since this discussion started a year ago on this board, has anyone actually done anything to make this happen? I'll write to a scout leader I know who has been part of this process and let you all know who you can contact to support this idea.

Rick Tyler
Mentor, Team 1294
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 575, Chief Seattle Council

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I am an Eagle Scout as well. If anyone needs anything done on this in the Los Angeles area, I'll see what I can do (not that I can do much).

BTW I'm taking about 10 members of my troop to the SoCal regional on Saturday (I'm doing my homework :D ). When I made the announcement, one of the younger scouts asked, "Is there a robotics merit badge? If there is I would like to get it." That made me smile

-Daniel Brim, ES-
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster,
Troop 788, Redondo Beach, CA
Pacifica district, Los Angeles Area Council

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

As a scout this would be so awesome.The req need to be hands on and not as discussion based. great Idea.
Aaron
Life scout troop 540
Team 341

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I am an Eagle Scout too. I would love to help, so if there is anything I can do, let me know

Joseph Beauregard
Troop 80
Dracut, MA
Yankee Clipper Council

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I tried to post on an idea for this on MeritBadge.com but it had a problem with debug

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I know that someone had been working with National to get this started. If you want to help, it might be better to contact someone in Dallas at the National office and lend your support.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

There's a link on the US Scouting Service Project Website about the process of creating a new merit badge. There have only been 16 new merit badges in the last 22 years.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

This is my first day on this sight and this was a thread I was hoping to start! My regional camporee (Atlanta) is based on creating a new merit badge, and my entry is going to be a robotics badge. I will try to post what I've got in a few days.

Scott Chambliss
Star Scout, Troop 455
Atlanta, Georgia

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Alright I know this thread's from a long time ago, but I just heard an update that the Robotics Merit Badge has been approved and is expected to debut in spring 2010.

I thought the news belonged here rather than in a new thread.

New Boy Scout Merit Badges:

• Robotics merit badge has been approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected spring 2010.
• GPS/GIS merit badge has been approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected early 2010.
• Scouting Heritage merit badge has been approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected later this year
• Scuba merit badge has been approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected late this year.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

They are supposed to release the requirments this year. My guess is that they will be released before the Jamboree, because there is going to be a robotics center their...

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Badge was announce at the Vex World Championship yesterday.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Pretty darn cool. Can you post a link to see the requirements? The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has a Salute to Scouts day every so often. I've been one of their educators that helped the scouts meet the requirements for the "Space Exploration" merit badge. I would like to forward these requirements to the space center to see if its possible to meet the Robotic merit badge requirements, too. This should also be sent to every FLL affiliate partner.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

While this (obviously) doesn't apply to me directly, I'm very excited for this. I've wanted to do more with some of the local boy scouts, and now we can make it a win-win situation :)

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

As well as I can remember the conversation I had with folks in-the-know during the whirlwind of the FIRST Championships, students/scouts won't be able to earn the anticipated Robotics Merit Badge this summer at the National Camporee in Virginia. :(

However there definitely is a badge in the works and I think it was expected to be available (to be earned) sometime in 2011 (maybe late 2010? - I don't remember if an exact date was given).

Blake
PS: Even without an explicit Robotics badge, our robotics equipment can still easily be connected to the Electricity, Energy, Electronics, and Drafting badges.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

If the thought of Brad L. and another Vex/IFI employee in tee-shirts isn't too scary for you...

Check out this video of a Tee-shirt shooting robot that combines Vex equipment with some custom parts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzFpo6K8ewo&NR=1

Vex' tent in the Merit Badge Midway is one of the hottest attractions at the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary National Jamboree, underway right now at Fort A. P. Hill in Virginia.

Blake
PS: Northern Virginia's high temps have been in the 90s lately; but the 80-90% humidity makes it a wet heat, so it really not all that uncomfortable. :rolleyes: Brad tells me he can't imagine why we don't get more tourists here this time of year.
PPS: A BSA Robotics merit badge is most definitely in the works; but it isn't available yet.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Hello,

I'm working on the Robotics Merit badge with several people from BSA as well as experts from around the country. The requirements are just about done and we are writing the main text. There is a display for it at Jamboree. We expect to introduce early next year. We still have to get approval from BSA National before publication.

I'm an Eagle Scout as well and this has been an exciting project to work on.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Any chance we could get some cold hard fact's about the badge? I am giving a presentation to my troop on Robotics next Monday, and it would be helpful if I could tie in a merit badge.

Thanks

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I'm excited to see the badge design. I will have to pick one up for myself once it comes out just for fun.

As an Eagle who turns 18 in exactly one week, I am however very disappointed not to have the opportunity to earn the badge. Definitely excited for future scouts though!

I was at the scout shop earlier this summer and saw slots for both the Robotics merit badge and Inventing merit badge, but both were empty. I asked a worker about them and was told that they were supposed to be released this summer, but that they had been delayed. Both sound like fantastic badges!

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I'm kind of in the same boat, though I'm not 18 until October. Still, if they don't come out until next year...

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Sorry - I don't have that level of info. Maybe someone else will read this thread and spill a few beans.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I would support this 100 hundred percent. I am a camp counselor and would be willing to encourage my camp to pick up the merit badge.

Matthew Simpson
Team 75 Alumni

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

The problem that I have with this is that camps usually don't run merit badges quite the way I would like/expect, and most camps probably wouldn't have the equipment necessary for some requirements.

The latter is fine because they can just have pre/post requirements for those taking the badge.

However, at camp, most merit badges (in my experience) are mostly you show up, you get the badge. Only at summer camp do I see a bunch of 14 year olds earning the Nuclear Science merit badge. Unsurprisingly, none of them actually learned much about nuclear science, other than that you can model a nuclear reactor with brownies, ice cream, twizzlers, and pretzels.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

The more and more I sit around and listen about what's going on at the National Jamboree this year the more I wish I had gone. I thought the Shining Light Across America did it for me in Fort Wayne last night, but this put the decorations on the icing of the cake.

I am an eagle scout and 2 year Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 130, Huntington, IN, Anthony Wayne Area Council. This has been something I've wanted happen for a while.

I did some quick research, found nothing from the National Jamboree page or scouting.org. I also looked at Meritbadge.com and found that it is not in their system yet.

BUT I did find in Wikipedia their meritbadge section does include it with the release date as 2010. Nothing official there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merit_b..._of_America%29

Further research I did find a brief mentioning of the Robotics Meritbadge on the Jamboree website (correction of earlier not finding anything). It is mentioned under the "Teaching Technology" in the second paragraph mentioning that the merit badge is "on the horizon."
http://www.bsajamboree.org/Bulletins.../Release5.aspx

And to top it all off in the BSA Magazine website there is an article from just yesterday about the Robotics Meritbadge and an image with it. It states that "The badge won't be available to earn until April..." and sadly never mentioned FIRST (but does show VEX robots). http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/201...rit-badge.html

All in all, I'm pretty excited for this. It's pretty evident from the enthusiasm of many here on CD and at the Jamboree that this may be a popular merit badge and will go through.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I have to agree with all of this, it seems like many camps are turning into merit badge factories. I would like to continue this conversation but I would like to ask that we stay focused on the robotics merit badge and not about camp systems performing their merit badge sessions.

And you are right, they show up to the class, don't learn much about the actual subject, then leave with only demonstrations of candy on their mind. And because of that, I am afraid of the Robotics Merit Badge being poorly demonstrated at camps.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Just to hijack this thread a bit for all you under 18 scouts...
There are four new/old merit badges to help celebrate the anniversary year. These four badges only will have a special gold border and must be earned in this year. Check out the scout site for more info. This is a once in a lifetime chance that I would encourage you to check out. You will be able to talk about it for many years to come.

The following 2010 "Centennial" Historical Merit Badges may be earned through December 31, 2010:

Carpentry – Pathfinding – Signaling – Tracking

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I'm on the volunteer committee working on the Robotics MB (RMB). The requirements have not been finalized and the book is still being drafted, so there aren't many details to share yet. About all I can safely say is that:

1. The RMB booth at Jamboree has been wildly popular. We estimate that as many as 1,000 Scouts and Scouters per day have driven a demo robot and earned their souvenir RMB patch. It's not the MB, by the way, but a pocket patch. VEX provided the demo gear, including five drivable robots, one static display, and their big t-shirt shooting robot, along with other trinkets and t-shirts. The heat, humidity, and dust of the outdoor venue has been a great testing ground for robot durability. I know that I haven't worked on any competition robots that could survive 50+ hours of operation in these conditions.

2. The RMB will be released during National Robotics Week in April, 2011.

3. The requirements are NOT available yet, but I think you will be happy. In a nutshell, a Scout will have to research, design, build, and test a robot, including maintaining a design/test notebook, and that participation in organized competitions may be used to fulfill part of the requirements.

4. The RMB is completely brand- and program-neutral. The team chose neutrality as a primary goal from the beginning so that any robotics development platform (VEX, FRC kitbot, BEST, home brew, etc.) can be used to earn the MB.

5. The RMB patch shows a NASA Mars Rover robot. I believe this design is final, but you never know...

6. The team working on the merit badge has vast experience in industry, science, robotics competitions, and Scouting. I am privileged to work with these people.

That's about all I can say right now, but I will be glad to check back in as components of the RMB are cleared for public release. I'm not trying to keep stuff secret, by the way, it's just that the team is in the middle of making these decisions right now and the answers to most of your questions are simply not available.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Thanks for the information!

I'm very happy to hear about the requirements and the platform-neutrality. As much as I love FIRST, I would hate to see the merit badge limited in any way. The patch design also sounds very cool.

Now I'm just sad that I couldn't get to the jamboree this year! I saw a video of their display and tshirt cannon robot, and it definitely looks like it would be my favorite booth.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Thanks a ton for that information Rick. That is going to be one heck of a merit badge to complete then, one I would certainly enjoy teaching.

@Tanis THEY HAVE A T-SHIRT CANNON AT THE BOOTH?!?! NO WAY! Any way you could post a link to that video?

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

gblake already posted above.

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

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Greetings,

In the Detroit Area on 4 Dec 2010, Boy Scouts of America Great Lakes Council, Oakland University and Team #33 are hosting a Pre-Release Open House for the Robotics Merit Badge. This event provides scouts and potential counselors the opportunity to experience and operate a spectrum of different robots.

No requirements can be earned at this event since the official release is in mid-April 2011. Only in mid-April 2011 will counselors be certified and blue cards can be distributed for the Robotics Merit Badge. However, there will be discussions at the open house on the requirements categories.

To help with the planning, a registration process will begin on 5 Nov 2010.

http://www.glcscouting.org/
http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/Calendar.asp
http://www.doubleknot.com/registrati...vityKey=890466

Hope to see scouts at the open house ! !

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Laszlo reminded me ... we ran a trial session of the new Robotics Merit Badge at the Sammamish Trails District Merit Badge Weekend on October 23. This was held at the Chief Seattle Council's Camp Pigott.

Nine Scouts went through the draft requirements, although we had to turn away another 25 who wanted to sign up. With the available space, people, and robot kits we could only take 10. The Scouts had a great time, and built four different VEX robots in the single day we had. We provided feedback to the National Council, and were able to give some guidance on how Councils can plan to provide support to summer camps that want to do robotics.

I think this new badge will be a winner, and I wish I could tell you more, but you are just going to have to wait for National Robotics Week in April!

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Our school has a Robotics Varsity Letter, I honestly laughed when my mentor said that, but I shut up when he actually showed it to us and now I want one

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I do believe many teams have started doing this. The Killer Bees have for a while. I'm curious...why did you laugh? It's certainly something that deserves rewarding and acknowledgement. Most schools have varsity letters for Band, Marching Band, Choir, Debate, etc, so why should it be funny that there would be one for Robotics, an extracurricular that demands much more time and energy than some of the athletics in high school?

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Varsity Letter != Merit Badge. There are a number of threads discussing varsity letters already.

I'm kind of wishing I was still in H.S. so I could have a chance at earning the badge...

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Well I was ignorant for one, and it was my very first time joining and had all the stereotypes in my head. I somewhat disagree with taking more time, but it certainly does take a lot of dedication.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Greetings,

The open house is coming soon. Tell your scout friends about it. Robot enthusiasts are welcome too. You may want to be a robotics merit badge counselor. It will be held Saturday Dec 4, 2010 from 1p to 5p. Oakland University Dodge Hall of Engineering.

Hope to see you there !!

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Yes...make sure to let the BSA national office know...If anyone has info on a team or teams that have a lot of scouts on them (FIRST, FTC or FLL) send pics and a story to Boys Life magazine.

Also check out the story I wrote for the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for Ham radio oeprators at their website.
http://www.arrl.org/ham-radio-spirit-lives-in-robots

73,
Brian K9WIS
Team 1675

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Our team has 3 scouts that are very active in both scouting and robotics(Me Included), is Boys Life looking to do an article on a team? and if so, do you have a link to somewhere for more information on the opportunity?

Anyways, our troop is really looking forward to the opportunity to work on this robotics merit badge, its a great opportunity to combine two of Americas(and worlds) best youth organizations!

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Go to the BL web page for starters...Tease them with some pix (scouts with robots) then propose a bigger article, if the Robot MB is looking like its going to be a reality use that as the lead for the article.

Good Luck,
Brian K9WIS

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Yeah, that would be awesome. i'd get it for sure. Given the current pace of technology, it seems like scouts should learn and help others learn too.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Hello,

If you wish, you can be a counselor for the badge. Please check with your local scout council.

Regards,

Laszlo Hideg

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

The robotics merit badge pre-release event was an exciting a successful event. Thanks to Oakland U. School of Engineering for providing the venue and students with thier robotics projects and interact with the scouts and allow them to operate several robots.. Thanks to Boy Scout Great Lakes Council for helping with event registration and publicity.

Thanks to Walter P. Chrysler Museum for supporting this event. Thanks to ABB Robotics and Fanuc Robotics for thier displays and providing an industrial point of view to the scouts.

Thanks very much to Adambots Team #245, Rochester Adams HS and Stoney Creek HS for bringing FIRST robots from 2010, 2009, 2005 as well as OCCRA robots. Thier students interacted with the scouts and had scouts driving all of the robots.

Thanks alot to the FEDS Team #201, Rochester HS for bringing thier FIRST 2009 robot. Thier students interacted with the scouts and had scouts driving thier robot.

Thanks most of all to Killer Bees Team #33 for helping to organize the event and having students interact with the scouts and have the scouts drive the robots. They brought thier FIRST robot from 2010 and OCCRA robots.

Early unconfirmed numbers indicate about 100 scouts (boy scouts, cubs and some girl scouts), plus family and scout adults, for easily an additional 100 people or more. And of course, bunches of FIRST students !!

Please see the attached. It is the presentation used for part of the event. It DOES NOT have the requirements but is leads you to some similarities seen in all merit badges.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

The Robotics Merit Badge has finally been posted. You can check out the requirements here.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

You just can't un-ring a bell, so here is more stuff:

http://boyslife.org/about-scouts/mer...launch-events/

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=135228346

More direct material will be here soon:

http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/...ts-of-america/

Press release by BSA early Monday April 11, 2011

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

http://boyslife.org/section/about-sc...rces/robotics/

It's launched.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Been waiting for a robotics merit badge forever but just quit this year because of the season interfering :( now they get one right after i quit :mad:

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Everyone has to get out there and recruit robotics merit badge counselors now!

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

What would the counselor do? Would they be "on call" for troops to help with the badges? Is there anything special the counselor would have to do in order to help a troop?

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I just filled out the papers for bing a counselor tonight. I was a little dissapointed that they promoted the 'www.robotevents.org' web site that is really Vex biased.

One interesting item... I went to the site this morning and it had a picture of a scout in class A uniform (including neckerchief) leaning over a robot (it appeared to be a 2010 design) and making repairs. However, his neckerchief was hanging into the robot waiting to get snagged by the mechanism! Major safety issue! :ahh: I wrote them on it and it appears that the picture was taken down this evening.

Enjoy!

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

I'm on the Robotics Merit Badge team. I hope it's not my picture. Was making a set of do's and don'ts photos that we decided not to use in the merit badge. Was the neckerchief red? Was there a pocket patch also hanging into the robot?

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

This is HUGE! Did not know that NASA was a part of this. Very cool!

The story below contains links to the requirements for obtaining the badge and a picture of the badge

NASA And Boy Scouts Of America Unveil New Merit Badge
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.rss.html?pid=33253

BTW - The new merit badge is one of 31 STEM-related merit badges that Scouts can earn.

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

A counselor is a mentor who supervises the scouts and certifies that they have satisfied all the necessary requirements for the particular badge.
You just follow the merit badge book and the explicit list of requirements.
There is a blue card that you use to keep track of which requirements have been finished in previous meetings, and that you sign to certify when they have completed all the necessary requirements for the badge. The scout should bring the blue card with them.

http://troop343.org/resources/MBCounselorGuide.pdf

To become a counselor you register with a local District/Council and then scouts from various local troops who want to pursue the badge will call you to arrange meetings. Your local District holds a merit badge fair occasionally where the work gets done in a larger group. If you are too busy you can say no, or delay meeting to a less hectic time. The scout has a list of counselors and they can move on to another one until they find someone who's available.
Although with a new badge the list of available counselors is likely to be quite short.

Badge work often takes place over several meetings. Typically, the scout does the work beforehand and presents/demonstrates it to the counselor. You discuss the work to explore their depth of understanding and enlighten/mentor them where they need support.
It's important to follow the badge requirements closely. A counselor doesn't add extra work or stint on the things they may consider less important.

The Council for Riverside is:

California Inland Empire Council
http://www.bsa-ciec.org

1230 Indiana Court
Redlands, CA, 92374
909-793-2463

Your local District (smaller than a Council) is Mt. Rubidoux and it covers Riverside, Jurupa, Pedley, Rubidoux, Mira Loma, and La Sierra.
They are having a merit badge fair this Saturday. You might drop by with some of your robotics friends to talk to them about the robotics merit badge:

APRIL MERIT BADGE FAIR:
When: Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: University of California at Riverside, Engineering Sciences Department
Badges: Electricity, Electronics, Computers

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

Yes it was a red neckerchief. I didn't notice if there was a pocket patch of not. As I said I received a nice reply later in the day thanking me for the information and then later that evening I looked and the full picture was not there, but a smaller horizontally cropped version was still shown in the later "resources" section.

http://boyslife.org/section/about-sc...rces/robotics/

My daughter saw the picture (on the FIRST team) and she immediately said "Wow that is bad!", so it is pretty obvious.

Enjoy!

Re: Robotics Merit Badge
 

The BSA has a new promotional video up on YouTube for this merit badge.