Mr Eric Brown here,
If you are looking for merit badges to work on at home, that
are on the "fun and easy" end of the merit-badge spectrum, here
are the ones I'm willing to run from my end.
Each of the merit badges has a work sheet and a link to the PDF version of the
merit badge book at the bottom.
The merit badge books will have almost all of the information y'all need to earn the merit badges.
Read the book, use it to fill out the worksheet and you'll be mostly done in a wink.
If I get time, I'll put together either blog posts, or something to help
y'all out with them.
The merit badges are:
Digital Technology (After Finger printing, the easiest merit badge in the book.)
Programming (If you are interested in programming this is an easy great intro. If you are not...might not be easy at all.)
Game Design (Again, if you are into this, easy, if not, kinda hard)
Reading (If this is your thing, super easy, if not, not...)
Art (ditto)
Mr Eric-
Digital Technology Merit Badge
April, 2014
Requirements for the Digital Technology merit badge:
- Show your counselor your
current, up-to-date Cyber Chip.
Cyber Chip - Do the following:
- Give a brief history
of the changes in digital technology over time. Discuss with your
counselor how digital technology in your lifetime compares with that of
your parents', grandparents', or other adults' lifetime.
Link to a brief history, followed by a not so brief one.. - Describe the kinds of computers or devices you imagine might be available when you are an adult.
- Do the following:
- Explain to your counselor how text, sound, pictures, and videos are digitized for storage.
- Describe the difference between lossy and lossless data compression, and give an example where each might be used.
- Describe two digital
devices and how they are made more useful by their programming.
Req 3 a-c
- Discuss the similarities and differences between computers, mobile devices, and gaming consoles.
- Explain what a computer network is and describe the network's purpose.
- Do the following:
- Explain what a program or software application or "app" is and how it is created.
- Name four software programs or mobile apps you or your family use, and explain how each one helps you.
- Describe what malware is, and explain how to protect your digital devices and the information stored on them.
- Do the following:
- Describe how digital devices are connected to the Internet.
- Using an Internet search engine (with your parent's permission), find ideas about how to conduct a troop court of honor or campfire program. Print out a copy of the ideas from at least three different websites. Share what you found with your counselor, and explain how you used the search engine to find this information.
- Use a Web browser to connect to an HTTPS (secure) website (with your parent's permission). Explain to your counselor how to tell whether the site's security certificate can be trusted, and what it means to use this kind of connection.
- Do THREE of the following. For each project you complete, copy the files to a backup device and share the finished projects with your counselor:
- Using a spreadsheet or database program, develop a food budget for a patrol weekend campout OR create a troop roster that includes the name, rank, patrol, and telephone number of each Scout. Show your counselor that you can sort the roster by each of the following categories: rank, patrol, and alphabetically by name.
- Using a word processor, write a draft letter to the parents of your troop's Scouts, inviting them to a troop event.
- Using a graphics program, design and draw a campsite plan for your troop OR create a flier for an upcoming troop event, incorporating text and some type of visual such as a photograph or an illustration.
- Using a presentation software program, develop a report about a topic approved by your counselor. For your presentation, create at least five slides, with each one incorporating text and some type of visual such as a photograph or an illustration.
- Using a digital device, take a picture of a troop activity. Send or transfer this image to a device where the picture can be shared with your counselor.
- Make a digital recording of your voice, transfer the file to a different device, and have your counselor play back the recording.
- Create a blog and use it as an online journal of your Scouting activities, including group discussions and meetings, campouts, and other events. Include at least five entries and two photographs or illustrations. Share your blog with your counselor. You need not post the blog to the Internet; however, if you choose to go live with your blog, you must first share it with your parents AND counselor AND get their approval.
- Create a Web page for your troop, patrol, school, or place of worship. Include at least three articles and two photographs or illustrations. Include at least one link to a website of interest to your audience. You need not post the page to the Internet; however, if you decide to do so, you must first share the Web page with your parents AND counselor AND get their approval.
- Do the following:
- Explain to your counselor each of these protections and why they exist: copyright, patents, trademarks, trade secrets.
- Explain when it is permissible to accept a free copy of a program from a friend.
- Discuss with your counselor an article or a news report about a recent legal case involving an intellectual property dispute.
- Do TWO of the following:
- Describe why it is important to properly dispose of digital technology. List at least three dangerous chemicals that could be used to create digital devices or used inside a digital device.
- Explain to your counselor what is required to become a certified recycler of digital technology hardware or devices.
- Do an Internet search for an organization that collects discarded digital technology hardware or devices for repurposing or recycling. Find out what happens to that waste. Share with your counselor what you found.
- Visit a recycling center that disposes of digital technology hardware or devices. Find out what happens to that waste. Share what you learned with your counselor.
- Find a battery recycling center near you and find out what it does to recycle batteries. Share what you have learned with your counselor about the proper methods for recycling batteries.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Investigate three career opportunities that involve digital technology. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
- Visit a business or an industrial facility that uses digital technology. Describe four ways digital technology is being used there. Share what you learned with your counselor.
Programming Merit Badge
January, 2017
Requirements for the
Programming merit badge:
- Safety. Do the following:
- Show your counselor your current, up-to-date Cyber Chip.
- Discuss first aid and
prevention for potential injuries, such as eyestrain and repetitive
stress injuries, that could occur during programming activities.
Earn the Cyber Chip
Earning the Cyber Chip can help you learn how to stay safe while you are online and using social networks or the latest electronic gadgets. Topics include cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming, cyberbullying, and identity theft. Find out more about the Cyber Chip at www.scouting.org/cyberchip.
- History. Do the following:
- Give a brief history of programming, including at least three milestones related to the advancement or development of programming.
- Discuss with your counselor the history of programming and the evolution of programming languages.
- General knowledge. Do the following:
- Create a list of 10 popular programming languages in use today and describe which industry or industries they are primarily used in and why.
- Describe three different programmed devices you rely on every day.
- Intellectual property. Do the following:
- Explain the four types of intellectual property used to protect computer programs.
- Describe the difference between licensing and owning software.
- Describe the differences between freeware, open source, and commercial software, and why it is important to respect the terms of use of each.
- Projects. Do the following:
- With your counselor's approval, choose a sample program. Modify the code or add a function or subroutine to it. Debug and demonstrate the modified program to your counselor.
- With your counselor's approval, choose a second programming language and development environment, different from those used for requirement 5a and in a different industry from 5a. Then write, debug, and demonstrate a functioning program to your counselor, using that language and environment.
- With your counselor's approval, choose a third programming language and development environment, different from those used for requirements 5a and 5b and in a different industry from 5a or 5b. Then write, debug, and demonstrate a functioning program to your counselor, using that language and environment.
- Explain how the
programs you wrote for requirements 5a, 5b, and 5c process inputs, how
they make decisions based on those inputs, and how they provide outputs
based on the decision making.
The Programming merit badge website, http://boyslife.org/programming, has a number of sample programs that you could use for requirement 5a. However, you have the option of finding a program on your own. It's a good idea to seek your merit badge counselor's guidance.
- Careers. Find out about three career opportunities that require knowledge in programming. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required. Discuss this with your counselor and explain why this career might be of interest to you.
MB Book
http://www.troop792.gilroyscouting.org/images/4/49/Programming_2013.pdf Game Design Merit BadgeTo see the changes which were made, Click here. For the previous requirements, Click here. |
- Do the following:
- Analyze four games you have played, each from a different medium. Identify the medium, player format, objectives, rules, resources, and theme (if relevant). Discuss with your counselor the play experience, what you enjoy in each game, and what you dislike. Make a chart to compare and contrast the games.
- Describe four types of play value and provide an example of a game built around each concept. Discuss other reasons people play games.
- Discuss with your counselor five of the following 17 game design terms. For each term that you pick, describe how it relates to a specific game.
- Thematic game elements:
- story,
- setting,
- characters
- Gameplay elements:
- play sequence,
- level design,
- interface design
- Game analysis:
- difficulty,
- balance,
- depth,
- pace,
- replay value,
- age appropriateness
- Related terms:
- single-player vs. multiplayer,
- cooperative vs. competitive,
- turn-based vs. real-time,
- strategy vs. reflex vs. chance,
- abstract vs. thematic
- Define the term intellectual property. Describe the types of intellectual property associated with the game design industry. Describe how intellectual property is protected and why protection is necessary. Define and give an example of a licensed property.
- Do the following:
- Pick a game where the players can change the rules or objectives (examples: basketball, hearts, chess, kickball). Briefly summarize the standard rules and objectives and play through the game normally.
- Propose changes to several rules or objectives. Predict how each change will affect gameplay.
- Play the game with one rule or objective change, observing how the players’ actions and emotional experiences are affected by the rule change. Repeat this process with two other changes.
- Explain to your counselor how the changes affected the actions and experience of the players. Discuss the accuracy of your predictions.
- Design a new game. Any game medium or combination of mediums is acceptable. Record your work in a game design notebook.
- Write a vision statement for your game. Identify the medium, player format, objectives, and theme of the game. If suitable, describe the setting, story, and characters.
- Describe the play value.
- Make a preliminary list of the rules of the game. Define the resources.
- Draw the game elements.
- Do the following:
- Prototype your game from requirement 5. If applicable, demonstrate to your counselor that you have addressed player safety through the rules and equipment. Record your work in your game design notebook.
You must have your merit badge counselor's approval
of your concept before you begin creating the prototype.
|
- Test your prototype with as many other people as you need to meet the player format. Compare the play experience to your descriptions from requirement 5b. Correct unclear rules, holes in the rules, dead ends, and obvious rule exploits. Change at least one rule, mechanic, or objective from your first version of the game, and describe why you are making the change. Play the game again. Record in your game design notebook whether or not your change had the expected effect.
- Repeat 6b at least two more times and record the results in your game design notebook.
- Blind test your game. Do the following:
- Write an instruction sheet that includes all of the information needed to play the game. Clearly describe how to set up the game, play the game, and end the game. List the game objectives.
- Share your prototype from requirement 6a with a group of players that has not played it or witnessed a previous playtest. Provide them with your instruction sheet(s) and any physical components. Watch them play the game, but do not provide them with instruction. Record their feedback in your game design notebook.
- Share your game design notebook with your counselor. Discuss the player reactions to your project and what you learned about the game design process. Based on your testing, determine what you like most about your game and suggest one or more changes.
- Do ONE of the following:
- With your parent’s permission and your counselor’s approval, visit with a professional in the game development industry and ask him or her about his or her job and how it fits into the overall development process. Alternately, meet with a professional in game development education and discuss the skills he or she emphasizes in the classroom.
- List three career opportunities in game development. Pick one and find out about the education, training, and experience required for the profession. Discuss this with your counselor. Explain why this profession might interest you.
MB Worksheet
Reading Merit Badge
January, 2020
Requirements for the Reading merit badge:
- Do EACH of the following:
- Take a tour of a library. Discuss with your counselor how the library is organized and what resources and/or services are offered in the library.
- Learn how to search a library's card catalog or computerized catalog by author, title, and subject.
- In a library, search the card catalog or computerized catalog for six books of four different types, such as poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and biographies.
- With the assistance of your merit badge counselor or the librarian, see if you can locate on the shelves the six books you selected.
- Do EACH of the following:
- Identify a book you have enjoyed. Find out what other books the author has written.
- Look at one or more "best books" lists. These can be based on year, subject, or even all time. Identify at least one book you would like to read.
- Read four different types of books, such as poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or biographies. Do any ONE of the following for each book you have read:
- Write a review of the book. Include what you liked/didn't like about the book. Include if you would recommend this book, and if so, who might enjoy reading it.
- Watch a movie based on the book. What was the same between the book and movie? What was different? Which did you enjoy more? Discuss this with your merit badge counselor.
- Read a nonfiction book or magazine that teaches you how to do something like cooking, wood-building projects, video game design, science experiments, knot-tying, etc. With your counselor's and parent's or guardian's permission, complete a project from the book. Share your experience with your merit badge counselor. Reading a merit badge pamphlet will not count toward completing this requirement.
- Read about the world around you from any two sources: books, magazines, newspapers, the Internet (with your parent's or guardian's permission), field manuals, etc. Topics may include Scouting, sports, environmental problems, politics, social issues, current events, nature, religion, etc. Discuss what you have learned with your counselor.
- With your counselor's and parent's or guardian's permission, choose ONE of the following activities and devote at least four hours of service to that activity. Discuss your participation with your counselor.
FOR THE DURATION OF THE CURRENT TROUBLES, I will accept doing the reading virtually (ie facetime), OR POSTING A VIDEO OF YOU READING THE BOOK ON YOUTUBE and titling it “Scouts BSA Reading merit badge Reading <book name> for <Age bracket>” or similar (once you get 1 view) I’d prefer doing it in your uniform shirt.- Read to a sick, blind, or homebound person in a hospital or in an extended-care facility.
- Perform volunteer work at your school library or a public library.
- Read stories to younger children, in a group or individually.
- Organize a book swap in your troop, school, or place of worship.
- Organize a book drive to collect books. Donate them to an organization in need.
MB book
Art Merit Badge
January, 2014
Requirements for the Art merit badge:
- Discuss the following with your counselor:
- What art is and what some of the different forms of art are
- The importance of art to humankind
- What art means to you and how art can make you feel
- Discuss with your counselor the following terms and elements of art: line, value, shape, form, space, color, and texture. Show examples of each element.
- Discuss with your counselor the six principles of design: rhythm, balance, proportion, variety, emphasis, and unity.
- Render a subject of your choice in FOUR of these ways:
- Pen and ink,
- Watercolors,
- Pencil,
- Pastels,
- Oil paints,
- Tempera,
- Acrylics,
- Charcoal
- Computer drawing or painting
- Do ONE of the following:
- Design something useful. Make a sketch or model of your design. With your counselor's approval, create a promotional piece for the item using a picture or pictures.
- Tell a story with a picture or pictures or using a 3-D rendering.
- Design a logo. Share your design with your counselor and explain the significance of your logo. Then, with your parent's permission and your counselor's approval, put your logo on Scout equipment, furniture, ceramics, or fabric.
- With your parent's permission and your counselor's approval, visit a museum, art exhibit, art gallery, artists' co-op, or artist's workshop. Find out about the art displayed or created there. Discuss what you learn with your counselor.
- FOR THE DURATION OF THE CURRENT TROUBLE I WILL ACCEPT A VIRTUAL TOUR OF A _LEGIT_ MUSEUM
- Google List of Virtual
Museums
https://archpaper.com/2020/03/google-arts-culture-over-500-virtual-museums/#gallery-0-slide-0
- Find out about three career opportunities in art. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
MB Book
