Merit Badge of the Week: Chemistry

The sweet smell of gasoline?  Chemistry.

The sweeter smell of perfume?  Chemistry.

The bane of high school students all across the world?  Yep, the same chemistry.

Does physics get its own merit badge?  Nope.  Biology? Nada.  This is the only science badge you can still earn in any high school in the country just by going to class and paying attention.

Now if we can just find a way to connect the dots between this merit badge and the Scouts appreciation for gas fumes and per-fumes!  About 6000 Scouts each year do that now.

Attention chemistry teachers!  Check your students for Boy Scouts and see how you can help.

Resources

1. Basics
• Review the Introduction to Merit Badges from Scouting.org.
• Get the current official requirements.
• Get the worksheet from Usscouts.org.
• Read the merit badge manual.
2. Chemistry is a tough subject--no argument.  Whether you want the merit badge or need to master it for school, I recommend the Chemistry for Dummies book and workbook bundle.  $10 off right now. [I use the Dummies series all the time to learn new things--excellent tools for self-education!]
3. Chemistry projects for kids on About.
4. Definitely for Scouters!  Burning Money Magic Trick (Brief commercial first.)
5. OK, one more:  Hot Ice
6. General Chemistry Online from Frostburg State University (a Scientific American Science and Technology Web Award winner) If you are a chemistry geek or want to be one, this site is fun!  (I was one in high school and college--we are special people!)
7. MIT's OpenCourseWare project brings one of the finest chemistry programs in the country to you...free.
8. The American Chemical Society brings you information on careers, college and education material  and...the Molecule of the Week (lower right hand corner)!
9. Kitchen Chemistry from Penn State--includes "Find the Speed of Light with Marshmallows"
10. First aid tips from the American Association of Poison Control Centers--brief and to the point.  Chemicals and lab equipment can be dangerous--be careful!

Related Merit Badges:  Composite Materials, Nuclear Science

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