Get ready for an exciting splash into robotics with the Aquabots Challenge, an underwater robot-building event, brought to you in partnership with SeaPerch. This is a team based building competition for Scouts BSA members. Each team should consist of 3-6 Scouts. Troops are welcome to have more than one team. If there are 6 people on a team we recommend that the team be split into two teams. This will allow the scouts a greater opportunity for hands on work. 

What’s the mission? Your team will receive a SeaPerch kit to construct an underwater robot. Each team will work to turn pieces into a fully operational ROV ready to face off in aquatic tasks. It’s not just about building; it’s about challenging your creativity and engineering skills to conquer underwater missions. Each kit comes with a detailed instruction manual. 

Kickoff Event: Join us on January 22nd 2025 , at the Camp Thunderbird in the Dale O Johnson Training Center from 6 PM to 8 PM. Leaders, this is your opportunity to get hands-on with the SeaPerch kit and learn everything you need to guide your scouts through their build. We'll provide the insights, tips, and a little bit of insider know-how to help you support your teams effectively.

Build Days: We are hosting build days for teams to attend and get assistance from our event leadership in building their bots. This is a great time to get some help with a new skill or in an area they may be having issues in. The build days are at the Camp Thunderbird in the Dale O Training Center from 6-8 pm, January 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, and March 5, 12, 19. Teams do not need to sign up for these build days. Build days are optional, and provide a great location to build and work as a team. 

Competition Day: The grand finale will see all teams’ robots diving into the pool, navigating through courses, and performing tasks in a display of innovation and teamwork. It's not just a test of your robot but a celebration of your hard work and ingenuity. This Competition will be held on March 29th exact time and location TBA.

Prepare for fun, excitement, and a little bit of competition. Sharpen your tools and your minds – the Aquabots Challenge is here to make a splash in your Scouting year!

Registration must include 3-6 youth and an adult that will oversee the team for communication. Troops may have more than 1 team.

Final Competition

More information about the final competition will be coming soon. The final competition will provide each team with a chance to race their aquabot through an obstacle course, present their engineering notebook, and be interviewed by a panel of judges. The rubrics for the engineering notebook and panel of judges are attached to this event. 

If you have any questions please reach out to Rachael.weaver@scouting.org

If you do not have enough youth to form a team, please reach out to Rachael Weaver at Rachael.Weaver@scouting.org to put the youth on a list to try to form a team of other youth without a team.