Nuclear Science Merit Badge

[Skipper1701]

Now that the Atomic Merit Badge can no longer be earned. Does anyone know the requirements for the new Nuclear Science Merit Badge? Our scout shop has not received any phamplets and I cannot find them on the internet. We have one of the largest merit badge days (Univeristy of Texas Merit Badge University) and a Hornaday Merit Badge Clinic coming up in a couple of weeks and we need to develop the new course. Any assistance on the requirements would be appreciated.

[eagle90]

Since when can't the Atomic Energy MB not be earned? What is your source of information? Our council and the Illinois Institute of Technology has set up a MB clinic next month for scouts to pass the Atomic Energy MB. Something doesn;t seem right.

[SemperParatus]

I think the pamphlet exists - it is available for order at www.scoutstuff.org at least. I was previously told it was due out in January. Perhaps contact your Council or National to get someone to send you the requirements, given the short timeframe and importance.(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

[Skipper1701]

I originally heard it from the council scout shop. They had received a memo from National. I then checked the internet to no avail. I then checked the scoutstuff store which has it and says it replaced the atomic energy badge. I am attempting to get the requirements from national, but I am nervous about response times...

[Trevorum]

Skipper, that is news to me also! We have several fellows who will be attending Hornaday and they are expecting to work on Atomic Energy.

 

What about fellows who already have a partial - will they be allowed to complete? This is probably a common situation as National regularly changes/discontinues merit badges.

[acco40]

Sorry, double post.(This message has been edited by acco40)

[acco40]

Slightly off topic - I'm currently reading a fascinating book - The Radioactive Boy Scout - A True Story of a Boy and His Backyard Nuclear Reactor (a book by Ken Silverstein). The book gestated out of an article in Harper's magazine

http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/radscout.html)

 

I do know that Atomic Energy was a 2004 MB. I'm not sure if the 2005 Requirements book is out yet. Our council does not have a copy yet.

 

According to US Scouts (www.usscouts.org) the Atomic Eneregy MB was not replaced but was RENAMED to Nuclear (not NUKE YA LUR) Science MB. See:

 

www.usscouts.org/mb/mbbooks.html

(This message has been edited by acco40)

[Trevorum]

ROFL!

 

That story is precisely the reason that one of the self-proclaimed "geeks" in our troop decided to earn the Atomic Energy MB!

 

He hasn't finished though and I'd like to be certain that he'll be able to do so.

[Skipper1701]

According to scout regs: if the scout started the merit badge prior to the end of the merit badge program, the scout can continue until his 18th birthday. The availablity of the actual patch will start to drop pretty quickly. Our council shop (Capitol Area) still has several of the patches.

One interesting thing is there is supposed to be a new phamplet and a new patch. This means that the people that already earned Atomic Energy can also earn the Nuclear Science badge.

[Skipper1701]

In my panic to figure out what was going on, with usscouts.org site down, and National not able to answer many questions, I started this thread. I believe that I might have worried a few that are attending the Hornaday Weekend in our area.

 

Here is the storey on Nuclear Science. It is the same merit badge number as the Atomic Energy Merit badge. The book as a "A" added to the end of the number, which means that it was just a scheduled update instead of a replacement. There is a name change and there is a new look to the badge. People that have already earned the Atomic Energy Merit Badge cannot earn Nuclear Science as well since it is the same badge.

 

People that already have a partial on Atomic Energy fall under the same regs. as any other person that has a partial when the requirements change.

 

The situation was just confused by the fact that they came out with the new "revised" requirements, a new name, and a new look for the badge all at the same time...

[CowtownEagle]

Has anyone seen a new book or even more importantly the requirements. Our council just completed a merit badge college and all our boys that took Atomic Energy were told the second weekend that the MB was being replaced by Nuclear Science. The counselor didn't now if the rquirements have changed or not. When I got wind of this I contacted our scout shop and had them hold back 7 Atomic Energy patches. She told me that once they sold those out they would not get anymore.

 

I agree with once a scout starts a merit badge he has until his 18th birthday to complete but, what happens when the badge is no longer available to award?

[scoutldr]

It's probably already too late... the collectors are out there scarfing them up as we speak. I think the Scout Shops should take them off the shelves now and only sell them on request with a completed blue card and advancement report.

[EagleInKY]

I picked up the 2005 book today. I've scanned the requirements for you. OCR botches some of the words, but I think you can get the gist of it:

 

Nuclear Science

1. Do the following:

(a) Describe the biological effects and hazards of radiation to humankind, the environment, and wildlife. Explain the difference between deterministic and stochastic effects. In your explanation, discuss the nature and magnitude of radiation risks to humans from nuclear power, medical radiation, and background radiation. Explain the measures required by law to minimize these risks.

(b) Describe the radiation hazard symbol and explain where it should be used. Tell why and how people must use radiation or radioactive materials carefully.

2. Tell the meaning of the following: ALARA, alpha particle, atom, background radiation, beta particle, contamination, curie and becquerel, gamma ray, half-life, ionization, quark, isotope, neutron, nuclear energy, nuclear reactor, particle accelerator, rad and gray, radiation, radioactivity, radon, rem and sievert, and X-ray.

3. Choose five individuals important to the field of atomic energy and nuclear science and explain each person's contribution.

4. Choose an element from the periodic table. Construct 3-D models for the atoms of three isotopes of this element, showing neutrons, protons, and electrons. Use the three models to explain the difference between atomic number and mass number. Then do the following:

(a) Make a drawing showing how nuclear fission happens, labeling all details. Draw another picture showing how a chain reaction could be started and how it could be stopped.

(b) Explain what is meant by a "critical mass."

5. Do any THREE of the following:

(a) Build an electroscope. Show how it works. Place a radiation source inside and explain any difference seen.

(b) Build a model of a reactor. Show the fuel, control rods, shielding, moderator, and any cooling material. Explain how a reactor could be used to change nuclear energy into electrical energy or make things radioactive.

© Using a radiation survey meter and a radioactive source, show how the measurements per minute change as the source gets closer to or farther from the radiation detector. Place three different kinds of materials between the source and the detector, then explain any differences in the measurements per minute. Explain how time, distance, and shielding can reduce the radiation dose.

(d) Obtain a sample of irradiated and non-irradiated foods. Prepare the two foods and compare their taste and texture. Store the leftovers in separate containers and under the same conditions. For a period of 14 days, observe their rate of decomposition or spoilage, and describe the differences you see on days 5, 10, and 14.

(e) Describe how radon is detected in homes. Discuss the steps taken for the long-term and short-term test methods, how to interpret the results, and explain when each type of test should be used. Explain the health concern related to radon gas and tell what steps can be taken to reduce radon in buildings.

(f) Visit a place where X-ray is used. Draw a floor plan of the room in which it is used. Show where the unit, the unit operator, and the patient would be when X-ray is used. Explain the precautions taken when X-ray is used and the importance of those precautions.

(g) Make a cloud chamber. Show how it can be used to see the tracks caused by radiation. Explain what is happening.

(h) Visit a place where radioisotopes are being used. Using a drawing, explain how and why they are used.

(i) Obtain samples of irradiated seeds. Plant them. Plant a group of non-irradiated seeds of the same kind. Grow both groups. List any differences you observe during a 30-day period. Discuss with your counselor what irradiation does to seeds.

(j) Visit an accelerator (research lab) or university where people study the properties of the nucleus. After your visit, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.

6. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Give an example of each of the following in relation to how energy from an atom can be used: nuclear medicine, environmental applications, industrial applications, space exploration, and radiation therapy. For each example, explain the application and its significance to nuclear science.

(b) Find out how many nuclear power plants exist in the United States. Locate the one nearest your home. Find out what percentage of electricity in the United States is generated by nuclear power plants, by coal, and by gas.

© Identify three particle accelerators in the United States. For each accelerator, describe three experiments that have been done or are in progress. Name three particle accelerators in the United States and describe the type of experiments each accelerator is designed to perform.

7. Find out about three career opportunities in nuclear science that interest you. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession and discuss this with your counselor. Tell why this profession interests you.

 

[Skipper1701]

Thank you... Our scout shop still has not received copies.

[frankj]

To EagleInKY Thanks for posting the requirements. What a great badge! I'm thinking about the opportunity this could afford our guys to learn some objective facts about nuclear science (nuclear energy) vs the stuff they will pick up in the popular press.