Earning the Computer Merit Badge

Note to Councilor: The Computer Merit Badge is dated in its approach but those limitations can be overcome. First, a Scout is prepared. This merit badge does not include the possibility that a threat exists to the scout's computer exits and to the scout. As with all scouting activities SAFETY is the most important function. It does not have to cost a lot of money to protect the scout's computer, but it does require understanding threats.

• A scout should also be able to determine if an antivirus is running on the computer and if the program is current.
• A scout should be able to determine if a popup blocker is working and if it is current.
• A scout should be able to determine if a spyware program is running and if it is current.
• A scout should be able to determine if a spam filter is installed and functing on his computer.
• A scout should be able to determine if his computer has software sufficient to complete the merit badge. If the scout's computer does not, I recommend downloading the Open Office software. If the scout does not have a connection to the internet then the council will need to assist the scout and provide the needed software on a CD.
• This merit badge is most effective if the scout can do most of the work on his home computer.

Please note these are not requirements to acheive the meritbadge. It is equivalent to wearing safety gear when engaging is hazardous activities.

Please review the presentation Computer Merit Badge Preperation:

• Flash Movie(4.4 MB)
• Power Point Presentation(23 MB)
• PDF(970 KB)

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Computer Merit Badge Requirements

Give a short history of computers.

History of Computers Computer History Museum The Nerds History of Computing Science Illistrated History of Computers

Describe the major parts of a computer system.

• What are the parts of my computer?
• How PCs Work?
• How Do Computers Work?
• Build a Computer Step-by-Step
• How does my computer work?

Give four different uses of computers.

• 1.
• 2.
• 3.

Do the following:

1. Tell what a program is and how it is developed.
• Wikipedia--Computer Program
2. Give three examples of programming languages and what types of programming they are used for.
• Alphabetical list of programming languages
• Computer Language History
3. Describe a computer virus or malware.
4. Describe a source program and an object program.
   • object-oriented programming

Show how the following may be stored in computer memory: text, numbers, pictures, and sound.

• Computer Storage
• How does an Operating System work?

Do THREE of the following:

1. 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.
   • What is a database?
   • Open Office Database
   • Open Ofice Base Tutorial
2. Use a spreadsheet program to develop a weekend campout food budget for your patrol.
   • Learning Excel
   • Open Office Spreadsheet
   • Open Office Calc Tutorial
3. 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.
   • What is a Word Processor
   • Learning MS Word
   • Open Office Writer
   • Open Office Writer Tutorial
4. Use a computer graphics program to design and draw a campsite plan for your troop.

Do TWO of the following:

A. Visit a business or industry that uses computers. Study what the computer accomplishes and be prepared to discuss what you observed.

B. Use a computer attached to a local area network or equipped with a modem to connect to a computer network or bulletin-board service such as Prodigy, CompuServe, or America Online. Send a message to someone on the network or download a program or file from the network.

This item is dated, but is very simple to do. Connect to the internet...Home or School. Send a message to your council and download a file from a scouting site.

C. Use a general-purpose programming language to write a program application of your choice, subject to approval by your counselor.

• Basic HTML: Introduction
• Visual Basic Script is another useful one
• Java scripting tutorial
• Visual Basic

Be prepared to discuss several terms used in each of the following categories:

• Input/output devices
  • PC Tech

• Storage media
  • Storage: Do you speak geek?
• Memory
  • Storage: Do you speak geek?
• Processors and coprocessors
  • PC Tech
• Modems
  • PC Tech
• Networks
  • PC Tech
• Electronic mail

Be prepared to discuss various jobs in the computer field.

Is it permissible to accept a free copy of a computer game or program from a friend? Why or why not?

• What are the types of copyrite?
• When is permissible to copy software?
• What does a "Scout is Honest" mean?

Describe several ways in which you and your family could use a personal computer other than for games and recreation.

• Are computers used only in certain subject areas, like mathematics?

 

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