Lessons and Requirements

 For many kids, technology is just playing games on a phone or tablet. We want kids to think bigger.

Working alongside faculty from Anderson High School and across Austin Independent School District, we supply the latest tech and tech-art  tools in an educational and safe yet fun and informal environment where  campers can develop a passion for using technology to create and learn.

Each  year, our camp will ask children to pretend to be scientists trying to  solve a challenge. While doing so, kids won't hear a lecture; they will ask the questions and they will use their imagination (and our tools) to find the answers.

Participants entering grades 3 - 5 will complete activities in each of the following  four learning areas. Scouts can apply what they learn towards  advancements or Adventures. We will be happy to help match what is  covered to any organizations requirements for advancement if you can provide the advancement information to us.  

Track 1 

• Toy Design - design your own toys using TinkerCAD, laser cutters and basic tools to design a lamp to take home

• Robotics- use EV3 Robots to make a robot that completes tasks and draws using Lego building and programming

• Digital Media/Art - use digital cameras (you will need to have and help get the images onto a computer) online programs and various mediums to create photographic works of Art and maybe more...      

• Environment (E-STEAM) - learn about amazing animals and plants that make the arctic home and explore our local ecosystems. 

In Track 1 registered Cub Scouts can complete the following select requirements from the following Adventures:

• Bears - Baloo the Builder, Forensics and Champions of Nature (partial) 
• Webelos - Champions of Nature, Modular Design, Art Explosion (partial)
• Arrow of Light - Into the Woods, Into the Wild (partial), Engineer, Estimations (partial)

 Track 2 

• Physics  - Explore how physics make our world exciting and learn to make life easier with simple machines. 

• Programming - learn to program in Scratch and amaze your friends with your own a game or app.  

• Movie Making - use your digital camera and online programming to create your own live action or stop motion movie.  

• Geology - learn  about how the earth was formed, go out to hunt for geodes and learn about how different forces affect the rocks and life found on the Earth.

In Track 2 registered Cub Scouts will complete the following:

• Bears - Super Science, Champions of Nature (partial), 
• Webelos - Earth Rocks, Race Time (Partial)
• Arrow of Light - High Tech Outdoors (Partial), Estimations (Partial)

Rising 6th to 9th Grade Classes

Participants entering grades 6 - 9 can pick two classes listed below. Scouts can apply what they learn towards advancements or Merit Badges.   Please note, classes will cover some of the badge requires but not all  of them. Scouts will have the opportunity to work with badge counselors  during lunch time and after school time if they want to work towards a  completion on the badge.

Currently all rising 6th to 9th grade classes are offered at Summer Sessions only. 

• Morning options: 
  • Electronics and Programming
  • Communication and Photography,
  • Robotics
  • Welding and Woodworking

• Afternoon options: 
  • Game Design and Animation
  • Environmental Science
  • Engineering
  • Advanced Robotics

Class Descriptions

Programming and Electronics

• Build and program different types of electronic systems as you  create systems to address various tasks, including learning to use both  arduinos and basic device circuits
• Learn to edit and enhance  programs in three of the following different programming languages  (based on skill level and group): Scratch, Blockly, C++, Java, or  Python. Learn to control robots, make apps or run microprocessor
• Participants involved with BSA will complete Programming Merit Badge.

Photography and Communication

• Produce and display visual art display using the classes' photographs using advanced composition and capturing techniques, including long light exposure and stop-motion photography methods
• Learn to take professional quality photographs with whatever camera the participant has.
• Review basic safety, history, skills, techniques, and tools used in Photography and careers in Photography
• Learn how to virtually communicate with others using various formats, including video and photography
• Participants involved with BSA will complete Photography and Communication Merit Badges.  Communication is an Eagle Required Merit Badge

Engineering

• Use the Systems Engineering Approach to design your own invention while learning about Engineering ethics and careers.
• Meet and talk with engineers who have worked on this planet and maybe off of it too!
• Reverse engineer common electronics to create a machine that does something new
• Learn the basic safety and thought processes behind Engineering
• Participants involved with BSA will complete Engineering Merit Badge

Robotics

• Learn to develop robots with a robotics system and use the robot to address various  challenges. Learn about careers in robotics and meet professionals who make and use robots every day.
• Learn about the history, safety, basic skills and tools needed for working with Robots.
• Campers can take Robotics with or without taking the advanced Robotics. 
• Participants involved with BSA will complete Robotics Merit Badge

Advanced Robotics

• Take your robotics knowledge to the next level and learn what VEX competition teams are expected to complete.  
• It is best to take both Robotics and Advanced Robotics in the same week to allow for the maximum building time. 
• There is no merit badge related to this class. 

Welding and Woodworking

• Work with a professional welder to learn about the basics of welding history and skills
• Learn about safety, welder types, basic skills
• Create your own welder gift to give to your friend or keep for yourself
• Use your new woodworking skills to build a project that you can take home and one that helps a community in need in the area. 
• Learn the history, safety, skills and tools needed to woodworking.  This includes the basics, like levels and drills, to the high tech, like laser cutters.
• Participants involved in BSA will complete Woodworking and Welding Merit Badges

Game Design and Animation

• Learn the basics of designing your own game and its animation
• Create an online game to play with your friends
• Participants involved with BSA will complete Game Design and Animation Merit Badges

Environmental Science

• Learn about the Central Texas Environment and ways to protect it
  Learn to identify, study and estimate animal and plant populations
• See how current technology, like apps, drones, crowd sourcing and AI are used to study the environment
• Participants involved in BSA will complete Environmental Science Merit Badge, an Eagle Required Merit Badge