Academy helps Scouts earn merit badges
The Moraine Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America founded the Technology Merit Badge Academy after the National BSA Council developed many new STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) merit badges, according to Ray Tennent, Scout executive.
The Moraine Trails Council supports Scouting programs in Western Pennsylvania in Armstrong, Butler, Lawrence and northern Westmoreland counties.
“We found that most troops did not have the merit badge counselors or resources to conduct STEM merit badges, so we reached out to businesses and were able to recruit counselors,” Tennent said.
The council staff wrote grants and secured robotic kits and computers needed to support the merit badge. The local Almira Foundation helped the council replace many of its Lego EV3 robotics kits last fall.
In total, the council has about $18,000 invested in the program over the last decade.
In addition to the robotics class, automotive maintenance, nuclear science, electricity, electronics, digital technology, plumbing and many other classes are offered through the spring merit badge academy and throughout the year, including at Camp Bucoco in Slippery Rock Township.
Ninety Scouts signed up for the March academy on the Butler County Community College campus.
The Automotive Merit Badge was conducted by Bob Gray and Nick Headly of Baglier Mazda. Scouts learn how the vehicle electrical system works and how to change the oil, fix a flat and many other maintenance activities that can be classified as life skills.
The council expects more than 400 additional Scouts will participate in merit badge programs throughout the year.
