#BoyScout #NuclearScience #MeritBadge
Today I learned about the Boy Scout Nuclear Science Merit Badge! It’s a super cool badge that involves some really interesting and hands-on activities. ๐ Did you know that to receive the badge, you have to build a Geiger counter, plant irradiated and nonirradiated seeds, and visit an accelerator or university where people study the properties of the nucleus or nucleons? How awesome is that?
Let’s break down some of the requirements and dive deeper into what it takes to earn this unique badge.
First things first, building a Geiger counter. This is a device used to detect and measure ionizing radiation. It’s like having a science gadget straight out of a spy movie! ๐ต๏ธ To build a Geiger counter, you’ll need to understand the basics of radiation and how it can be detected. You’ll get to work with electronic components and put together a device that can detect radiation. How cool is that? ๐ฆ
Next up, planting irradiated and nonirradiated seeds. You’ll get to conduct a real-life science experiment and observe the effects of radiation on living organisms. It’s like playing scientist in your own backyard! ๐ฑ You’ll compare the growth and development of seeds that have been exposed to radiation to those that haven’t. It’s a hands-on way to learn about the impact of radiation on living things.
And finally, the visit to an accelerator or university. This is probably the most exciting part of all. You’ll have the opportunity to see real scientists and researchers in action, exploring the properties of the nucleus and nucleons. You might get to see particle accelerators, nuclear reactors, and other advanced scientific equipment used in the study of nuclear science. It’s like taking a behind-the-scenes tour of a science lab! ๐ฌ
Earning the Boy Scout Nuclear Science Merit Badge is not only a fun and engaging experience, but it also teaches valuable lessons about science and technology. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of nuclear science and its applications in the real world. Plus, it’s a great way to meet professionals in the field and see firsthand what a career in nuclear science could look like.
So if you’re a Boy Scout who loves science and technology, this badge is definitely worth pursuing. It’s a chance to step into the world of nuclear science and embark on an exciting and educational journey. Who knows, it might even inspire you to pursue a career in a STEM field! ๐
In conclusion, the Boy Scout Nuclear Science Merit Badge is an incredible opportunity to learn about nuclear science in a hands-on and engaging way. From building your own Geiger counter to conducting experiments with irradiated seeds, and visiting a research lab or university, this badge offers a unique and exciting exploration of the world of nuclear science. It’s a chance to dive into the fascinating world of nuclear science and gain valuable insights into the applications and implications of this field. So if you’re a Boy Scout with a passion for science and technology, don’t miss out on the opportunity to earn this awesome and rewarding badge! ๐
Source: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/nuclear-science/
That definitely didnโt exist when I was in Scouts. Thatโs very cool!
Taskmaster is great eh
Has anybody actually got one?
Or just build a backyard nuclear breeder (not really).
Reading this made me wish there was a real life achievement system.
All of these can be completed in a single day.
Or you can just build a nuclear reactor in your back yard
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hahn
This is I believe specific to The Boy Scouts of America organisation, everywhere else the International Scouting Movement defines such achievements & I believe their Science Badge is as close as you will get as it includes an Edible Uranium experiment.
The great thing about Boy Scout merit badges is that it exposes the young person to a wide variety of subjects. They have to learn a few things about each one, then go before a board of review (Dads who agree to be merit badge counselors). They ask them questions about the subject to make sure theyโve met the requirements and learned whatโs needed, before signing off. They need to earn merit badges to advance. In the process theyโre exposed to a little bit of a wide variety of subjects plus they learn to talk seriously with adults about the subjects. Itโs a great thing for young people to experience.
My older brother has this merit badge, I do not because by the time I was a boy scout proper it was discontinued
My Uncle would have been honored to see the seed requirements included. He was a nuclear botanist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. There is a grove of trees that must be 50 years old, some of them have leaves that are perfect on one side and the other half is a mutated lobe. I remember taking a few leaves to school in the late 60โs. He studied how commercial crops would be affected by nuclear attacks and how crops could be safely grown afterwards.
It’s an enriched experience…
Got mine at a jamboree at Annapolis. Pretty rad tbh
It also looks cool
Didnโt get that one but saw it
I miss Boy Scouts
I have it, the requirements in the post arenโt accurate. You can make either an electroscope or cloud chamber which observe radiation w/o using electronics, and there isnโt anything involving seeds.
However, the badge is built around introducing kids to jobs in the industry and demonstrating the basic principles involved. I got to tour one of the ~25 university-affiliated research reactors in the US build under Eisenhowerโs atoms for peace initiative. Super interesting stuff, and something that I never would have been exposed to if not for this badge.
Damn I thought rifle and shotgun was hard
I got this merit badge in 2008, don’t remember having to build a Geiger counter but going in the Reed College reactor was pretty cool.
Hanh went for hard mode & built his own reactor.
Yup, got that one. it helps when the local college is fine with a bunch of teens in there reactor lab.
I earned this badge back in the day. I remember touring a local nuclear plant as a requirement.
This was part of my Eagle Board of Review.
Had to talk about one of my favorite badges and how it would impact either my studies or future employment.
Had to explain the “basics” of nuclear science to an actual nuclear scientist.
Woof that was intense.
“Well uumm it’s basically just a steam engine but instead of coal it’s radioactive decay.”
Got my Eagle.
Did this one in the 2000s. That’s not how it works. We did a lot of that stuff, but it’s nowhere near as ridiculous as it sounds. Did almost all of it in a week at summer camp. Just had to finish up a couple requirements when we got back.
My brother had this back when it was the atomic energy merit badge.
i went to U of I in Champaign-Urbana to do this one. they even did my corn and wheat irradiation there. very cool folks.
My scoutmaster worked at Three Mile Island, so we had an inside track on this merit badge. It was one of like 6 I got.
Pretty sure I got this, we built a cloud chamber to satisfy the accelerator requirement or something. Really cool.
In girl scouts in the 90s we sold cookies and magazine subscriptions. Never did anything fun or learned anything useful. Such unfair bullshit.
You know a lot of people shit on scouting in the US (and rightfully so sometimes), but it really taught me lots of great skills. I think if you were part of a good troop it allowed you lots of opportunities to learn.