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Engineering Technologies Academy (Robotics)

Activity Details

 

The E-TECH (Robotics) Academy National Cadet Special Activity for Civil Air Patrol welcomes Cadets to participate and learn to interpret the world around them in a whole new way. Through a series of humorous lectures and team-based problem-solving and exploration, cadets will learn to understand problems that need to be conquered and work to deliver the best possible solution. Each team’s work product will be judged against the submissions from the other teams, with each entry receiving detailed and thorough critiques. What did you get exactly right? Where did your solution fall short? And how will it actually perform? Through a series of these challenges, you will learn from both your successes and failures, and build a better understanding of the process of engineering and robot construction and programming.

Be prepared to unlearn everything you have learned and see the world in a whole new way.

What You’ll Do at E-TECH (Robotics)

Receive instruction on engineering and robotics concepts, then put your new knowledge to the test in actual hands-on builds.

Explore key engineering concepts such as:

  • Types of Stress

  • Reinforcement and Rigidity

  • Gears and Torque vs Speed

  • Mechanical Advantage

  • Converting Motion through use of Linkages

  • Making Robots Follow Instructions

  • Making Robots React To the World Around Them

  • Build a Model Bridge and Test It to the Point of Structural Failure

Plus Build Robots to Perform Specific Tasks:

  • Conquer Speed, Maneuverability and Control in a Race Car

  • Build a Fly-By-Wire Flight Control Demonstrator

  • Earn a Championship in Robot Sumo Wrestling!

Why You Should Apply

  • Gain real-world skills in Engineering and Robotics

  • Get the rough equivalent of a college-level “Introduction to Engineering” semester crammed into a single week

  • Participate in Team-Based Creative Problem-Solving and Competition

  • And Spend a Week at the United States Air Force Academy

Ready to learn about how and why things work the way they do?

If you’re curious about changing the way you interact with the world around you, this is the course that can open your eyes to a new world of possibilities. Apply for the E-TECH (Robotics) Academy and explore the possibilities!

Contact for Activity: lanna.fletcher@mowgcap.org

Activity Facebook Group for Participants, Parent, and Alumni: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16K8dST16c/

Application Requirements

Note: Cadets enrolled in Cadet Wings are not eligible for national activities until they complete the program or are disenrolled.

Registration Prerequisites:

The following are required at the time of application:

  • Must be at least age 15 by the first day of the activity

  • Must be under 21 years of age at end of activity

  • Must have Encampment credit

  • Must have earned the Wright Brothers Award (C/SSgt)

  • CAP Health updated within last 30 days

Staff Application Information

Cadets: There are cadet staff positions at this activity.

  • Must be at least age 15 by the first day of the activity

  • Must be under 21 years of age at end of activity

  • Must have Encampment credit

  • Must have earned the Wright Brothers Award (C/SSgt)

  • CAP Health updated within last 30 days

  • Must have leadership experience and some presentation skills

Please contact the Activity Director for more information before submitting an application. 

 

Senior Members: 

  • Must be current in Cadet Protection Training

  • CAP Health updated within last 30 days

  • An engineering or science background is desirable

Please contact the Activity Director to learn more about current staff needs or openings.

How to Apply

Apply in Registration Zone

Applications will be accepted from 15 December through 15 January at 12pm Central.  

Parent, Unit and Wing Approval deadlines must be met in order for an application to be considered. 

All participant and staff applications must be submitted via Registration Zone in eServices.

Financial Support

Lift/Top is a needs-based financial assistance program. If selected as a Lift/Top recipient, your activity tuition will be paid by NHQ and you may have the option to receive a partial travel reimbursement towards round trip transportation to and from the activity. Lift/Top recipients must accept their slot in writing in order to receive this financial support.

CAP Cadet Scholarships: Through the generosity of our supporting donors, some CAP scholarships focus on supporting cadet attendance at NCSAs through a merit-based application process. Please see the Scholarship page to see the full list of available Activity Scholarships.

How to apply:

  • Applications for both Lift/Top and CAP Scholarships are located in Registration Zone.

  • You must apply for each program for which you wish to be considered.

  • Lift/Top and each CAP Cadet Scholarship have their own individual Registration Zone events, separate from activity applications.

Important:

  • Applying for these financial support programs does not guarantee financial assistance will be offered.

  • Being offered financial assistance is not a guarantee of acceptance into an activity.

  • You must compete for and receive a slot at an activity.

  • You will be notified if you are a recipient of financial aid/scholarship before you are required to accept or decline a slot at an activity.

The deadline to apply for these financial support programs is 15 January at 12pm Central. No late applications will be accepted. 

Graduation Requirements 

  • Actively participate in 80% of the contact hours and not dismissed early for behavior

  • 80% of curriculum verified by completed assignments

  • Activity Director determines course objectives met

Travel

  • Activity Staff will not be able to accommodate cadets using the airlines' Unaccompanied Minor service

  • Activity Staff will provide transportation between Colorado Springs Airport (COS) and the activity location.

  • Required Staff Training on TBD at TBD

 

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