The Computer Merit Badge - Scouting

This page supports the work of Boy Scouts seeking the Computer merit badge. Those planning to participate in the annual Merit Badge Midway event, held annually in the Ramsey Center of Western Carolina University, should do as much as they can before the event. During the Midway, the Computer Merit Badge work will use the Instructional Technology Center (room K268) in the College of Education and Allied Professions, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC.

2006

Get the merit badge book! Scouters can prepare for as many as eight of the ten requirements by reading the Merit Badge booklet on computers before you arrive. If you wish to finish your requirements at the Midway you will have to complete those eight before your arrival. As many items as possible will be checked off in the time that we have but let the instructor know upon arrival in the lab if you have completed work before the Midway event. If work is also done ahead of time with requirement 6, bring disks or other storage media formatted for Windows or Macintosh computers with the files that you wish for me to examine and checkoff. Appleworks/Clarisworks (Mac) and Microsoft Office (Mac and Win) systems will be available. If there is interest in using the Linux operating system to complete this merit badge, please let me know in advance.

The Basic Requirements

The basic list of the computer merit badge requirements.
Worksheet to assist in completing the requirements (PDF file format)

Supplemental Information

Further online information that supplements but does not replace reading the merit badge booklet is available below for selected items. The number corresponds with the # of the requirement

2. Do the following:

picture based history of computers. To find related other related pages and sites, search for computer history.

Describe the major parts of a computer system.

A General View.
A More Technical View: I/O; CPU; RAM/ROM.

6. Do THREE of the following eight (only four our shown, see worksheet and requirement list above for others):

Use a database manager to create a troop roster, providing name, rank, patrol, and telephone number of each Scout. Sort the register by rank, by patrol, and alphabetically by name.

[An online tutorial is available to explain more about these database procedures.]

Use a spreadsheet program to develop a weekend campout food budget for your patrol.

[An online tutorial is available to tell you more about these spreadsheet procedures.]

Use a word processor to write a letter to parents of your troop's Scouts, inviting them to a court of honor. Use the mail merge feature to make a personalized copy of the letter for each family.

[An online tutorial is available to tell you more about these mail merge procedures.]

Use a computer graphics program to design and draw a camp-site plan for your troop.

[An online tutorial with selected examples of work from other Scouters is available to tell you more about these draw and paint procedures.]

10. Pick two career opportunities in the computer field that interest you. Find out what education, training, and experience those positions require. Report what you learn to your counselor.

Cybercareers for the Net Generation; "Providing innovative solutions for middle and high school IT career education. Students, this is your home for IT career exploration. You will find out what IT has to offer and the various ways you can get involved in the exciting world of IT."

National organization of computer professionals: IEEE Computer Society. This is the "world's leading association of computing professionals with nearly 100,000 members in over 140 countries. Founded in 1946 and today the largest society within the IEEE, this not-for-profit organization is the authoritative provider of technical information and services for computing communities worldwide. It offers a full range of career enhancing products and services through its 134,000-article digital library, 20+ peer-reviewed journals, distance learning courseware, online technical books, 150+ technical conferences, standards development, 30+ technical committees, certification for software professionals, 150 local society chapters, awards and scholarships, and much more.

Other research tools for learning more...

================= Other Related Sites for Adult Leaders =================

Scouting in the Digital Age

Scouting will soon enter its second century of leadership. Are we prepared?

Bit Prepared: http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=7533

"Bit Prepared II: Stallman meets the World Scout Bureau": http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=7813

Merit Badge Revision Date: November, 2005; this Web page updated: January 22, 2006

Page Author: Bob Houghton; Visit my Web Office.
houghton@email.wcu.edu
Page Address: http://www.ceap.wcu.edu/houghton/scouting/computers.html