Explorer Post 1010
Rockville Science Center sponsors the coed Explorer Post 1010, organized under the National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Post 1010 is a group of around 40 high school students with interests in computers, robotics, rockets, and engineering.
Participants meet weekly in teams to prepare for competitions in one of four national programs (see below). Historically, Post 1010 teams have done very well, winning high-level tournaments and receiving many awards. Just this summer, RSC's UAS4STEM team, "Some Assembly Required" placed first in the nation in the advanced division at the National Championships in Oshkosh, WI. You can read more about their journey to achieve this goal here.
REGISTRATION:
Registration takes place in the fall with a recruiting open house in early September. Each team has an adult coach, but the teams are led and run by the teens. For most members, it is a four year commitment. Dues are required to cover the cost of registration and equipment. Many of the national competition events require travel out of the state. Transportation costs are covered by participants.
More information about Post 1010 projects may be found at the Post 1010 website: post1010.org.
To join Post 1010, email us at info@post1010.org or call Bob Ekman, Advisor, 301-512-1278
First Tech Challenge
(FTC)
In First Tech Challenge students build, program, test and document a robot to complete autonomously and remotely operated in a scored game field.
The American Rocketry Challenge (TARC)
TARC team members are challenged
to build and fly a mid-size rocket
to a specific altitude and
return to the ground
in a specific time period.
Botball® Educational Robotics
The Botball program requires students
to build, program, test and document
two robots to compete autonomously
in a scored game field.
UAS4STEM (Unmanned Aerial System)
The UAS4STEM program
requires students to build and fly
a mid-size quad-copter
through a competition course
in a limited time.