Robotics Introduction Workshop for 4th-8th Graders (Design, Build, & Code)

During this workshop you and your 4th-8th Grader will learn about robots and how to design, build, program/code, and compete with them. The Registration/Ticket is good for both 1 Youth and 1 Adult/Parent. Participants will work as an adult/youth buddy pair and be organized into teams and assigned a “Mission” for their robots to complete, and then design and build their own remote control robots using VEX GO and/or IQ robotics kits. A VEX V5 robot will be available as an example.

Participants will then test their robots, redesign, and rebuild as needed to successfully complete the mission. Finally, participants will program/code their robots and compete against the clock and each other individually and as a team to see whose robot can earn the most points and complete the mission the quickest and autonomously. Participants will also be taught to maintain an Engineering Notebook to document their work, including drawing a flow chart or hand-writing “pseudocode” to record the remote control actions, steps, and decisions that need to be programmed and downloaded to the robot brain for autonomous operation.

Note: This is not a BSA event, but this workshop meets the requirements for the BSA Robotics Merit Badge and the facilitator is a NCAC Prince William District Robotics Merit Badge Counselor, please coordinate with your Scoutmaster as appropriate if you want to get credit for the merit badge.