 Computers
This Merit Badge requires 2 sessions to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Computers merit badge are: 6, 7, 9
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Computers Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
1. |
Discuss with your counselor the tips for online safety. |
2. |
Give a short history of the computer. Explain how the invention of the computer has affected society, science, and technology. |
| a. |
Describe four uses of computers outside your home. |
| b. |
Describe three ways you and your family could use a personal computer other than for games or entertainment. |
4. |
Explain the following to your counselor: |
| a. |
The five major parts of a computer. |
| b. |
How text, sound, pictures, and video files are stored in a computer's memory. |
| c. |
How file compression works and how compression affects the quality of the file. |
| d. |
Describe two computer chip-based devices, and describe how they are "smarter" because of the chip and its program. |
| a. |
Explain what a program or software application is and how it is developed. |
| b. |
Name three programming languages and describe their uses. |
| c. |
Name four software packages you or your family could use, and explain how you would use them. |
| d. |
Discuss ways you can help protect a computer from viruses and how to protect the information stored on a computer. |
| e. |
Describe how computers are linked to generate and access the internet and the World Wide Web. |
6. |
Do THREE of the following: |
| a. |
Use a spread sheet program, develop a food budget for a patrol weekend campout. |
| b. |
Using a word processor, write a letter to the parents of your troop's Scouts, inviting them to a court of honor. |
| c. |
Using a computer graphics program,design and draw a campsite plan for your troop. |
| d. |
Using a computer graphics program, create a flyer for an upcomming troop event, incorporating both text and some type of visual such as a photograph or illustration. |
| e. |
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 Web sites. Share what you found with your counselor, and explain how you used the search engine to find this information. |
| f. |
Using a presentation software package of your choice, develop a report about a topic that has been approved by your counselor. For your presentation create at least 10 slides. |
| g. |
Using a digital camera, take a picture of a troop activity. Transfer the picture file to a computer and use photographic software to make it small enough to send easly as an e-mail attachment. Then, using a computer connected to the internet (with your parents permission), send an e-mail to someone you know. In your message, include the photograph as an attachment. Verify that the person received your e-mail and was able to view the attachment. |
| h. |
Using a database manager, create a troop roster that includes the name, rank, patrol, and telephone number of each Scout. Show your counselor that you can sort the register by each of the following categories: rank, patrol, and alphabetically by name. |
7. |
Do ONE of the following: |
| a. |
Using a database program of your choice, create a troop roster that can be sorted by the name, rank, patrol, and telephone number of each Scout. Create a form within the database manager to access each Scout's information individually. Show your counselor how the form works. |
| b. |
Using a software package of your choice for computer-aided design (CAD), create an engineering-style drawing of a simple object. Include the top, bottom, and at least one side view and the dimensions. |
| c. |
Create a blog and use it as an online journal of your Scouting activities, including group discussions and meetings, campouts, and other events. Your blog should have at least five entries and two photographs or illustrations. You need not post the blog to the internet, but you will need to share it with your counselor. If you decide to go live with your blog, you must first share it with your parents AND counselor and get their approval. |
| d. |
Create a Web page for your troop, patrol, school,
or place of worship. Include at least three
articles and two photographs or illustrations.
Your Web page should have at least one link to a
Web site that would be 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 it with your parent's AND
counselor and get their approval. |
| e. |
Visit a business or an industrial plant that uses computers. Observe what tasks the computers accomplish, and be prepared to discuss what you have learned. |
8. |
Explain the following to your counselor: |
| a. |
Why copyright laws exist |
| b. |
Why is it not permissible to accept a free copy of a paid, copyrighted computer game or program from a friend unless the game or program is considered freeware or shareware. Explain the concepts of freeware and shareware. |
| c. |
The restrictions and limitations of downloading music from the Internet |
9. |
Find out about three career opportunities in the computer industry. 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. Report what you learn to your counselor. |
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The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2026"
Download the workbook for the
Computers Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
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