The Future STEMs From Robotics, The Boy Scouts of America Introduces New Robotics Merit Badge

Robots are used in almost every field—in medicine and manufacturing, law enforcement and search and rescue, and space and underwater exploration. The latest Boy Scouts of America merit badge introduces youth to the science and technology behind the growing field of robotics.

 Robotics merit badge

If you think robotics is only used in the highest-level technology companies, think again. You probably have multiple robotic units in your own home. The field of personal robotics is growing as we look to technology to do some of the jobs that we don’t want to do. There are robots that vacuum, mow the lawn, and clean the pool. But don’t stop at personal robotics—almost every aspect of agriculture, military combat, and waste containment involves robotic technology.                                                                   

With this merit badge, the BSA has incorporated 14 months of development and input from more than 150 youth members, leaders, and industry professionals from across the nation. To earn the badge, Scouts will spend approximately 10 hours designing a robot and keeping log books, among other requirements. This merit badge is part of the BSA’s new curriculum emphasis on STEM: science, technology, engineering, and math. More than 10,000 Robotics merit badges are expected to be earned in its first year.

“The new merit badge offers Scouts a chance to apply STEM principles in a way that’s fun and interesting. Scouts earning this merit badge today may be the engineers and inventors of tomorrow,” said Matt Ackerman, Scout Executive for the Three Fires Council. “The Robotics merit badge is an example of how Scouting remains true to its roots to help young people be prepared. In the early 1900s, we were teaching them how to shoe a horse; now we are helping prepare them for the world today and tomorrow.”

The BSA focus on STEM gives Scouts critical skills that are relevant and needed in our competitive world. The study of robotics helps provide opportunities for youth at all levels of Scouting to develop an enhanced interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to receive recognition for their achievement in these areas.

“This technology (Robotics) is one that holds the keys to solving some of the greatest issues of the day—healthcare, search and rescue, security,” said Lyndon Bridgwater, Design Engineer for NASA. “The BSA merit badge program is helping youth plan their destination to the future.  

About the Three Fires Council, Boy Scouts of America:

The Three Fires Council serves over 37,200 youth throughout Kane, DuPage, Kendall, DeKalb, and parts of Will and Cook counties. Our mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.  For more information please visit www.threefirescouncil.org or to find a Scout unit close to you, visit www.BeAScout.org!