Virtual Chemistry Merit Badge

What:   The chemistry merit badge is a fun and interactive that will introduce scouts to some broader topics of chemistry as well some of chemistries finer points, scouts will gain a new perspective on things in their every day life that they may not have looked at chemically before. This badge is perfectly suited to the scientifically curious, those who thought environmental science was cool and want some more, or scouts who are just looking to learn some interesting stuff and try out some cool experiments. 

 Meet your Counselor - Maxwell Leonard is currently enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as a chemistry major in his second year. He plans to earn his Master’s and eventually a Doctorate in the field of chemistry.  Max has been involved with scouting for over 15 years starting as a tiger cub and worked his way up to the rank of Life Scout. Outside of scouting, he actively participates in his college’s outdoors club as well as hike, camp, and bike in his free time.

WHO: Open to all Scouts BSA members.

HOW:  The Chemistry Merit Badge will be taught in a virtual classroom. The class has a capacity of 20 Scouts. Small classroom size provides all students with the opportunity to share and interact with the counselors and other Scouts. Scouts should be prepared to be challenged and to join the conversation! Participants who do not engage with the class may not receive credit for the badge. Scouts must be prompt for all badge sessions. Late participants may not receive credit for all requirements. Scouts must use a device with video to access this class.

Before beginning work on any merit badge, scouts are to have a discussion with their unit leader regarding the specific badge and counselor.

WHEN: This class will be held virtually over three sessions:

May 11, 2020 5:00PM-7:00PM

May 13, 2020 5:00PM-7:00PM

May 15, 2020 5:00PM-7:00PM

Scouts must attend all three sessions to complete the offered requirements.

After registering, Scouts will receive a link and login information via email the day of the scheduled class. Scouts will also receive instructor details that can be used to connect to the counselor on Scoutbook. This assures that completed requirements are easily recorded. 

PREREQUISITES:  Scouts will need

 one 16oz water bottle with cap, BB’s, a straw, scissors, tweezers, and a lighter or a stapler

Milk cheese and butter

Bowl, Colander and marbles/BB’s/sand, gravel many small objects that can get wet.

Other Details: this badge has one mandatory homework assignment and two optional challenges for the scouts to attempt

The mandatory homework is for the scouts to find a job involving chemistry that interests them, determine what division of chemistry it might fall under, the typical amount of schooling required for this position, additional training, salary, and some basic work that might be done by someone in that position.

Optional challenge 1 is for the scouts to create a mixture from things that they have around the house and to also come up with a way to separate this mixture

Optional challenge 2 make butter after discussing chemical differences between similar substances