{"id":3169,"date":"2018-04-10T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2018-04-10T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/totscouting.org\/boy-scout-robotics-team-to-compete-in-world-championship\/"},"modified":"2018-04-10T08:00:11","modified_gmt":"2018-04-10T13:00:11","slug":"boy-scout-robotics-team-to-compete-in-world-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totscouting.org\/boy-scout-robotics-team-to-compete-in-world-championship\/","title":{"rendered":"Boy Scout robotics team to compete in World Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/p>\n

Robotics and Scouting is \u201ca perfect combination,\u201d Life Scout Nicholas Shunick says.<\/p>\n

Nicholas and some of his fellow Boy Scouts from\u00a0Troop 125 in Gainesville, Fla., will head to Houston next week to compete in the\u00a0For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology<\/a> (FIRST, for short) Lego League Championship. His team is one of hundreds from around the world that will showcase their Lego robots at the four-day extravaganza.<\/p>\n

These intricate robots are designed to perform tasks on an enclosed course. Also part of the competition, teams must identify a scientific problem (this year\u2019s theme is the way people use water) and make presentations on how they\u2019d solve the problem. The challenges prompt participants to work together and show good sportsmanship.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has given me the chance to develop teamwork and leadership skills at the same time,\u201d Shunick says. \u201cBoth Scouts and FIRST Lego League emphasize core values that are important in life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Building bots<\/h2>\n

Troop 125\u2019s robotics team began two years ago thanks to the enthusiasm and mentorship of a group of older Scouts who participated in a high school robotics league. With the help of\u00a0a district committee, which offered a Lego kit to the troop, and an Eagle Scout mentor, the \u201cPlatybots\u201d were up and running.<\/p>\n

These aren\u2019t the Legos you remember dumping out of the big red bucket to play with. Lego robots can be equipped with infrared sensors, motors and bricks that can be controlled with a phone or tablet. Some robots require more than 300 steps to build. But once they\u2019re built, they can perform some impressive feats, like scooping up items and placing them with precision.<\/p>\n

Watch the Scouts practicing with their robot:<\/p>\n