GROWTH OF SCIENCE RELA
“BattleBots” and “Shark Tank” attract more than 11 million
primetime viewers combined each week. These shows
join a lineup of several programs that tie entertainment
to science, technology and innovation. It’s an emerging
genre that captivates large audiences – and Hollywood is
taking note.
“The tech sector is the new frontier of reality television,”
said Clay Newbill, Emmy-winning “Shark Tank” executive
producer and University of Central Florida graduate.
Considered a pioneer and innovator of alternative reality
television, he’s credited with leading “Shark Tank” from a
cast of unknowns to its popular standing today.
According to Newbill, programs such as these excite and
inspire viewers by showing there’s no end to what can be
done with technology.
These programs pull back the curtain on high-stakes
business negotiations and tinkering ingenuity. Exposing
The Corridor Fills a Niche
Shows like “BattleBots” and “Shark Tank” make
potentially complex concepts much easier
to understand through the eyes of everyday
people with whom the audience can relate.
Some of those teachers call the Corridor home.
Brian Nave, owner of Ormond Beach’s
LOGICOM Logic Systems, has competed on
“BattleBots” several times and just wrapped
filming for the second season, airing this
summer. It will feature his team’s full-body
spinner robot, Captain Shrederator, among
other “true engineering marvels,” as Nave
described.
“Last season was one step up [in robotics
engineering]; this season is a huge step up,”
he said. “We literally have flame-throwing
drones flying around attacking the robots on
the ground, and one guy had two little drones
to attack the big drone. It’s really going to look
good this year.”
math, science and technology as the true stars, they’re
helping to form today’s high tech culture.
Inspired by the book, I, Robot, Nave has
been a robot enthusiast for as long as he can
remember. After starting his career in the U.S.
Air Force working on electronic flight simulators,
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