scientist.gif (3131 bytes)Everyone likes to experiment. The Scientist Activity Badge will teach some of the basic laws of science and how to prove them through experiment. Scientist is the Technology group of badges.

OBJECTIVES

To acquaint WEBELOS with basic laws of physics. To give boys the opportunity to perform experiments. To introduce boys to atmospheric science. To teach boys a little about optics. To demonstrate a few "mysteries" of science.

 WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO GO

Visit an optometrist's or ophthalmologist's office and ask him/her to explain the tools of the trade.
Arrange to have the boys visit a school science lab to see those tools.
Grow crystals or a coal garden.

Remember the Scientist Activity Badge is a "doing" badge, not a "watching" badge. For best results, follow this procedure:

  1. Demonstrate the experiment.
  2. Explain the experiment.
  3. Ask questions to test understanding.
  4. Allow WEBELOS to do experiment.
  5. Have each boy log the experiment.

 

BALANCE

Materials: 3 baseball bats of similar size.

Procedure: Point the handles of the bats together so that they form a "Y". Slide the handles of the lower bat over the handle of the bat to the left. Slide the handle of the bat to the f\right under the handle of the bat to the left and over the handle of the lower bat. The bats should form a low solid stool.

Explanation: Due to interlocking arrangement, each bat supports another making this a simple experiment not only in balance, but also in structural engineering.

 

Materials: 2 table forks, a drinking glass and a coin chosen for its size.

Procedure: Point the prongs of the first in a inward direction and thrust them together so that the forks are interlocked. Press a coin between the upper prongs from the inner side. Rest the coin on the far side of the glass rim so the handles of the fork extend in your direction. By properly adjusting the forks, you can make the coin balance on its side, keeping the forks balanced on it.

Explanation: The handles of the forks serve as a counter balance for the coin and prongs. Precarious through it looks, it is like adjusting weights on an ordinary pair of scales, the only difference being the materials used.
 

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