FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

I've seen congratulations posted before recognizing FIRST members who've earned their Eagle rank and couldn't resist adding another. It is amazing considering how much dedication is required to complete the badges, leadership and service requirements, that so many are also involved in FRC.

Eagles are soaring on MARS.

MARS Team 1523 proudly recognizes the accomplishments of 2008 student members who recently earned Boy Scouting's highest rank of Eagle. Amazingly these guys come from 3 different BSA troops, but are all active on our team.

Congratulations Alex Trainer, Sean Page, Connor Howe, Nick Clark and Tim Arnold.

(Delayed congratulations to 4 MARS alumni graduates who also earned their rank while with the team: Josh Hobbs, David Hobbs, Patrick Taylor and Patrick Schmidt)

MARS Robotics has no affiliation with BSA, but perhaps we should request the creation of a Robotics merit badge!

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

I'm with you on that. 330 has multiple Scouts and Scoutmasters (5 Eagles have been on the team, 3 Lifes are or have been on, 2 of whom are active scouts, and 2 mentors are scoutmasters).

The only problem I can see with a robotics merit badge is that there are a lot of merit badge requirements that can currently be fulfilled--Composite Materials is one of them, there's an electricity merit badge, and even the service hours for some badges can be done by volunteering. Still, it's worth a shot.

I can see the requirement list now: Build a robot to accomplish a task. You must be able to explain what the task is and how your robot accomplishes it, then actually do it.
Show proper wiring procedure.
Explain your programming.
Do you compete against other robots?

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

Congrats to the new Eagles from1Team 1523!

From a fellow roboticist/eagle it's tough to make time for both but well worth it.

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

Congratulations on earning Scouting's highest honor! I know how difficult the trail can be and I am proud when I hear a FIRST student has attained this high honor. Please come and introduce yourself if we ever attend the same event. I would like to extend my congratulations in person.
Although I am sure you have heard this before, please include this accomplishment on your resume and college applications as well as your FIRST team participation. Yes it means a lot.

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

Actually, I believe that is already in process. I am aware of two parallel efforts to develop robotics merit badge specifications, one for BSA and one for GSA.


-dave




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Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

My parents have been bugging me to work on more Merit Badges for my Palms (I'm done with my Gold Palm now), and that badge just shot straight to the top of my Must-Earn list. Can you give me any more details on the badge, Dave, either here or via PM?

Another thing: I've been thinking about it for a while, but we should definitely start a group to investigate how many Eagles/Scouts/Scouters are active in FIRST- I bet the results would be interesting. Does anyone else think this is a great idea?

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

YES. It would be pretty cool just to see the numbers. Too bad I can't get any more badges--I passed my board after I turned 18, but had the paperwork in the day before (and noted as that day).

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

gratz, i also just got my Eagle Scout rank also.

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

Big congrats to Alex, Sean, Connor, Nick and Tim. As a former scoutmaster I understand what a difficult achievement this is. To do this and FIRST makes it doubly special.


Now to get build season over so my son can finish his project!

Edit: Congrats to you too Dennis.

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

Way to go! I know its a tough road and you made it. We have one eagle and another on the way on Exploding Bacon. We would love to help design the badges.

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

Once an Eagle, always an Eagle. Congratulations to all, as many have said it's not an easy task by any means and the fact that that many students on your team recently received it is astounding.

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

Congratulations! It's definitely an accomplishment considering the dedication it takes to be both an Eagle Scout and a FIRST student (My journey was painful, but worth it.). Don't forget that there are scholarships for Eagle Scouts out there.

Incidently, I just scounged up enough money to get the lifetime National Eagle Scout Association Membership. You won't believe the looks I get when I flash that baby around...

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

The pleasure of accomplishment is heightened when recognized by others; thanks CD community for sharing your warm wishes for Alex, Sean, Connor, Nick & Tim. 4 of the 5 students are seniors and have been strongly involved with MARS since 9th grade (in 2005, which was the team's rookie year).

FIRST promotes personal growth & committment to a challenge; it makes sense that future leaders/ innovators would gravitate toward it & scouting. A robotics merit badge will be great (& will allow FIRST & BSA/GSA to combine their vision and reach more youth).

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

As a fellow Eagle, congrats! It's an accomplishment to be proud of the rest of your life.

Re: FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!
 

Congratz to the incoming class of Eagle Scouts! We are all proud of your hard work and continuing to make the BSA a strong service based organization. As a Eagle myself (2001), I most certainly see the connection between the BSA and FIRST with the strong committment to personal values and hands on learning. I don't think it makes sense to have a "Robotics" Merit Badge. However, I would encourage all FIRST Scouts to persue the existing Science and Technology Badges such as Electronics, Engineering, Composite Materials, and Computers. Further, I feel teams should try to communicate with existing Engineering Explorer posts in your areas. Who knows, a simple demo might cause their students to start their own teams!

PS: A big shout out to 84's newest Eagle: BigEd. Be sure to congratulate him if you see us at FLR or Philly!